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Hi! I'm Vanessa.
Nice to meet you!
I'm a licensed therapist, speaker and podcast host and I've spent over 20 years working at the intersection of education, mental health and culture to help kids, moms and families live with more clam, connection and intention.
If you're a mom navigating the weight of it all, a family trying to figure out what your child needs, or a leader looking to bring real mental health insight to your stage or organization - you're in the right place!
Who Am I Personally?
Just like other moms, my world is non-stop: helping my tween son with homework, driving him to extracurricular activities, playing with my toddler daughter, and in between trying to cook dinner a few times a week... although that doesn’t always happen. I love spending time with my family (who all drive me crazy), but who I love very much! I enjoy finding mindful moments throughout my day to slow down and fit in self-care... like hopping on the Peloton, salsa dancing, and drinking coffee while it's still hot.
My passions involve helping kids, mothers and educators through therapeutic services and professional workshops. I thrive on helping moms find a balance between traditional "old school" parenting vs. modern day styles of parenting, while keeping cultural values in mind. As a first generation Dominican-American mom I also understand firsthand the stressors mothers face with balancing cultural expectations and career success.
Why I Do This Work
I believe I was put on this earth to help children
I spent year as an educator - in classrooms and school counselig offices - watching what happened to kids whe the aduts in their lives were stsruggling. I saw the connection betwen a mother's overwhelm and a child's behavior. Between a family's stress and a studen't ability to learn. Between cultural pressure and a mom's sense of sel.f
I knew I wanted to do more. Becoming a licensed therapist meant I could go deeper - not just support kids in the school building, but work with the whole family ecosystem that shapes who they become.
I am deeply passionate about being of service to kids, mothers and families And my background as a former educator gives me a perspective most therapists don't have: I Understand the school syste from the inside. I know what teachers see, what counselors can and cannot do, and what families need that no one is giving them.
That's the work. That's why I show up every week.
As Seen In
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Who Am I Professionally?
I am a licensed therapist, speaker, podcast host, and former educator, and I bring all of those identities into every room I walk into.
My approach is direct, warm, and grounded in over 20 years of experience working with kids, families, and professional women. I like to ‘keep it real’... no fluffy intellectual talk. Just honest, practical tools for living with more peace of mind and ease of heart.
As a bilingual Latina therapist and the founder of Free to Be Mindful, I work with:
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Kids and teens (ages 8 through college) navigating anxiety, behavior, identity, and the pressures of growing up
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Moms carrying the invisible weight of it all, professionally, personally, and culturally
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Leaders and organizations who want to bring clinical credibility and cultural relevance to their stages and teams
I have been featured on the Today Show, Univision, Parents Latina, Psychology Today, and Yahoo News. I host the Free to Be Mindful Podcast - 300+ episodes, listeners in 69 countries - and I have delivered 100+ keynotes, workshops, and speaking engagements to audiences across the country.
I also host the Free to Be Mindful Podcast... real talk on mindful living and mental health for professional moms, every week.
You may be thinking...
"How would Vanessa help as MY therapist?"
Whether I'm working with kids, young adults or with moms, I am a genuine and personable professional who takes the time to get to know all facets of you (i.e. background and past experiences, the various roles you play, family, culture, etc.).
Throughout our journey together, with much TLC and through open and honest discussions, I will "call you out on your stuff," build on your already existing strengths, and help guide you to use strategies to get past the stress and overwhelm.
I truly love what I do. I’m good at what I do. And I consider it a privilege to work with families and help them achieve their goals.
If you’re a mom or a family in New Jersey, I invite you to book a free 15-minute consultation to see if we’re a good fit.
Not in NJ? Amiga Moms coaching supports professional moms anywhere who are ready to invest in themselves — without the geographic limits of therapy.
Education
Certifications
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BS in Elementary Education & Psychology
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The College of New Jersey
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- MA in Counselor Education
- The College of New Jersey
- Advanced Counseling Certification
- Montclair State University
- Education Supervisor's Certificate
- New Jersey City University
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Licensed Professional Counselor
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37PC00725200
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National Certified Counselor
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Certified Mindfulness Instructor
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Director of School Counseling Services
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Supervisor Certificate
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School Counselor
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Elementary Teacher, K-5
Professional Affiliations
 Latinx Practice Collective Co-Founder May 2019 |  National Board for Certified Counselors |  Past President & General Member - Present President Emeritus - 2025 President - 2024 President Elect - 2023 Early Career Professional Chair 2020-2022 General Member 2018-2020 |
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 The College of New Jersey's Alumni Association Board of Directors 2019-2026 |  American School Counselor Association 2009-2024 |  New Jersey School Counselor Association 2009-Present |
 BCSCA K-8 Counselor of the Year, 2012 General Member - 2009-Present Executive Board and K-8 Co-Facilitator - 2015-2020 |  NJ Program Board Member - June 2022-December 2023 Secretary - May 2023-Decembeer 2023 |  Volunteer Therapy Dog Team - 2023-Present |
 Lambda Theta Alpha Latin Sorority, Inc. Lifetime Member Gamma Chapter, Fall 2002 Area Supervisor 2004-2007 |  Chi Sigma Iota International Honor Society for Professional Counselors, Alpha Epsilon Chapter Inducted May 2009 |  Lifetime Member Gold Award Recipient, 1999 National Delegate, 1998 |
 Board of Directors 2020-2023 |  Association for Play Therapy General Member 2017-2022 |  Presented at Annual 2020 Conference General Member 2019-2022, 2026 |
 NJ Association for Multicultural Counseling 2019 - 2022 |
Free to Be Mindful Core Values
The Free to Be Mindful philosophy is founded on three interconnected pillars, each reinforcing the other to form a holistic framework that empowers individuals to live intentional, balanced, and fulfilling lives.
I believe in creating a world where mindful living is the foundation of life, mental health is prioritized, and every person feels empowered to navigate life’s challenges with clarity, confidence, and connection.
Free to Be Mindful Impact
20+ years
of experience as a teacher, school counselor and licensed therapist
100+
speaking engagements including keynotes, webinars, panels, workshops and more
250+
podcast episodes episodes published, reaching listeners in 69 countries
Thousands
of children and families positively impacted and guided towards clarity and connection
Recognized by National Outlets including The Today Show and Parents for Expertise