- Guilt and shame work
- ACT and CBT
- English and Spanish
About Luz
Luz Lavado is a New Jersey licensed clinical social worker (LCSW) with nine years of professional experience. She works with people dealing with stress, anxiety, relationship strain, grief, low self-esteem, depression, family concerns, trauma and abuse, eating issues, and ADHD. Sessions are offered in English and Spanish.
She focuses on practical conversation and skills rather than jargon. Luz uses straightforward talk to help people recognize patterns and try different responses. She draws on approaches like Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Client-Centered Therapy, and mindfulness to shape sessions.
In the room she helps people name what they feel and test small changes. For someone carrying guilt or shame this can mean tracking moments that trigger those feelings, noticing the thoughts that follow, and practicing different ways of responding. She also works with related concerns such as abandonment, attachment issues, body image, codependency, and communication problems.
Her background includes work with grief, eating concerns, chronic illness, domestic violence, and divorce or separation. Luz aims to connect therapeutic tools to everyday life, for example short exercises to try between sessions or ways to manage anxious moments when they happen.
People can expect a direct, person-centered approach that mixes talking with action steps. The process is collaborative and paced to fit the person’s needs and goals.
How her approaches translate to online work
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) focuses on noticing thoughts and choosing actions that reflect personal values rather than getting stuck in internal criticism. It can help when guilt or shame keep someone from doing things that matter. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) breaks down unhelpful thoughts and tests them with small behavioral experiments, which can reduce the power of recurring self-critical thinking. Mindfulness Therapy trains simple attention skills to observe strong emotions without reacting immediately, useful for moments when shame spikes.Finding the right approach is part of the work. Luz will collaboratively discuss goals, try different techniques, and adjust the mix of ACT, CBT, DBT, or client-centered methods based on what helps most. The focus is on practical steps that match the person’s needs and preferences.
Session formats are not specified in her biography, so confirm current online options before booking. Many people appreciate online sessions because they make it easier to fit therapy into a regular week, allow shorter check-ins when needed, and reduce travel time. Online work also makes it simple to practice skills between sessions and to bring real-life situations into discussion.
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Also works with
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
9+ years
Listed in
New Jersey
Languages
English, Spanish
Frequently asked questions
What kinds of problems does she help with?
She works with stress, anxiety, relationship issues, grief, low self-esteem, depression, family concerns, trauma and abuse, eating issues, and ADHD. Additional focuses include abandonment, attachment, body image, codependency, and communication problems.
How would she approach feelings of guilt or shame?
She uses practical conversation and evidence-based techniques to track triggers and the thoughts that follow, then practices alternative responses. The work blends talking with short exercises to try between sessions.
What is her therapy style like?
Her style is person-centered and direct, combining Client-Centered Therapy with ACT, CBT, DBT, and mindfulness strategies. Sessions mix reflection, skills practice, and goal-focused tasks.
What is her background and experience?
She has nine years of professional experience and has worked with grief, eating concerns, chronic illness, domestic violence, and separation issues. That experience informs how she structures sessions and homework.
Which credential and location apply to her practice?
She is a New Jersey licensed clinical social worker, LCSW, practicing in New Jersey.
In which languages are sessions offered?
Sessions are offered in English and Spanish. International clients are not accepted.
How are sessions paid for and priced?
Cost varies with location and sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time. Exact pricing is provided through the platform during sign-up.
What do I do to start working with her?
Select the See online therapy options button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule a first session to begin.
Online talk therapy is not emergency care. If you are in danger or thinking about harming yourself, use the crisis numbers.