Go beneath the surface
Balanced, sustainable choices without the inner struggle
DBT and eating disorder therapy for a more balanced relationship with food, body, and self.
Welcome, friend!
Hello, I’m Amparo (she/her), a licensed clinical mental health counselor (LCMHC) in North Carolina with over 25 years of experience in mental health.
I specialize in therapeutic counseling for individuals spanning adolescence to late adulthood. My expertise includes addressing eating disorders, Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD), LGBTQ+ therapy, perfectionism, issues involving race and gender, and emotion regulation challenges.
Certified in Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), trauma-based therapy, and Intuitive Eating, I’m dedicated to working with those navigating body image and acceptance, emotion regulation challenges, diet recovery, and disordered eating. Let’s embark on a journey towards healing and growth together.
Real Change Happens Beyond the Comfort Zone
Creating lasting change requires patience, time, and a willingness to go beyond our usual comfort zones, even if it “doesn’t feel good” all the time. Together, we’ll work to challenge ingrained patterns that no longer serve you and develop new coping skills and sustainable health habits that you can live with. Progress may be slow and gradual, and setbacks are expected and a natural part of this journey.
Therapy is more of a marathon than a sprint. Just as physical fitness builds over time, emotional resilience and effective coping skills develop with consistency and patience. Try not to get discouraged if you feel “frustrated” or “challenged” in some of our sessions – that means it’s working! True growth and change often emerges slowly, in the midst of discomfort, transforming you in ways that are deep and lasting.
Lasting Change,
One Step at a Time
I am deeply passionate about guiding individuals to regulate their emotions, cultivate a flexible mindset, and build a healthy, balanced relationship with food and their bodies. My mission is to help people find peace within themselves, fostering lasting well-being through personalized support and practical tools for both mind and body.
I spent at least 25 years wrestling with yo-yo dieting, food restriction/over-exercise, weight gain/loss, dissatisfaction with my body image, and searching for the “magic pill” to end my complicated relationship with food and my body (I have a “graveyard” of pills under my bathroom sink as a lasting reminder).
It was also challenging to find resources out there for a person of color or someone from other marginalized communities because it seemed like these issues “were only for white girls.” Receiving safe, honest, and non-judgmental support was key to making lasting changes in my own life. Working with health coaches helped me on my healing journey with food and my body – it was truly a game-changer. It wasn’t an easy road, and my journey is ongoing, and I’m so glad I gave myself this gift. Now, I’m paying it forward by supporting others on their journey to become the best version of themselves, offering the same compassionate (and sometimes sassy) guidance that transformed my life!
My treatment specialties include:
- Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) & DBT Therapy
- Depression & Anxiety
- Rebuilding Trust with Food
- LGBTQ+ Affirming Therapy
- Perfectionism & Overcontrol
- Race, Gender, & Identity Concerns
- Self-Esteem & Self-Worth
- Body Image & Body Acceptance
- Coping Skills & Emotional Regulation
- Codependency & Peer Relationships
- Grief & Loss
- Self-Harming Behaviors
Ready to go beneath the surface?
Many people come to therapy feeling stuck in cycles of self-criticism, emotional overwhelm, and food struggles. Together, we’ll focus on what’s underneath and build kinder, more sustainable ways to respond.
