Debra (aka VIDA) Santiago

I am a Licensed Professional Counselor bi-lingual (Spanish) psychotherapy, licensed in New Jersey; I have 20 years of experience. My approach is holistic and is based in the belief of strengthening the Body, Mind & Spirit connection. I have worked with children, teenagers, and adults throughout my career. Client’s I served have had a variety of diagnosis such as ADHD, OCD, depression, autism, anxiety, mood dysregulation, anger management, and relationship issues. For several decades I have practiced meditation and mindfulness and share this approach along with other therapeutic modalities as part of my therapeutic work. I bring my authentic self to my work; I am compassionate and listen with warmth & sensitivity. My foundational practices are built on the importance of being culturally sensitive, self-aware, being in the here and now, working through family of origin issues that get in the way of one’s happiness. This is a second career for me. I worked in a corporate setting for over twenty years where I worked my way up the corporate ladder to become a Vice President before embarking on my new career. I went back to school to get my master’s degree to pursue my passion, which was to be of service to others, especially in underserved communities.