(929) 200-3049

Psychotherapist Brooklyn, NYC

Teresa

Teresa Rodriguez, LMSW

Growing up as the youngest of ten children in a missionary family that left a privileged life in Spain to serve in Newark, New Jersey, I learned early what it meant to witness social inequality up close. Raised in a Catholic, service-oriented household, I was exposed to contrasting realities—privilege and poverty, stability and struggle, comfort and injustice. When the worldview I had been taught did not align with the suffering I saw around me, it sparked a deep desire to understand people, culture, and the forces that shape our emotional lives. This early confrontation with inequality and the human condition set the foundation for my path as a clinician.

My mission is to bridge psychological understanding with cultural awareness, empathy, and equity. I aim to help clients heal from the effects of systemic and interpersonal harm while creating therapeutic spaces where they feel safe, valued, and truly seen. I believe that truth and healing emerge through deep listening and genuine connection.

What distinguishes my work is the integration of Anthropology and Psychology in my clinical lens. This dual background allows me to understand clients not only as individuals but as people shaped by culture, family systems, identity, and social structures. I am highly attuned to context—race, gender, immigration, religion, sexuality, class, and community—and I bring this awareness into a relational, collaborative, and evidence-based approach to therapy.

I primarily work with individuals navigating life transitions, identity concerns, anxiety, depression, relationship challenges, and family-of-origin dynamics. I often support first-generation young adults, BIPOC clients, LGBTQ+ individuals, and those who feel caught between cultures or expectations. Many of my clients are introspective and culturally aware, seeking a therapist who can hold both personal healing and systemic awareness.

In my sessions, I blend active listening, cognitive and behavioral strategies, and exploration of emotional patterns and narratives, all within a client-centered, strength-based framework rooted in warmth, curiosity, and thoughtful insight. Clients often report feeling more grounded, self-aware, and empowered, with greater emotional regulation, stronger relationships, and increased clarity about their values and direction. Above all, many share that they feel genuinely understood in therapy.

Outside of my clinical work, I enjoy traveling, learning from diverse cultures, and exploring how people make meaning in different environments. These interests continue to inform my perspective and help me bring a grounded, authentic presence into my work.

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