Joyce Cortes, MS,MFT

Therapist

Associate Marriage and Family Therapist

My approach is client-centered, culturally responsive, and trauma-informed, grounded in my identity as a Deaf clinician and my training in art therapy and somatic therapy. I integrate visual and embodied modalities to help clients access and express emotions beyond words, with sensitivity to communication differences and neurodivergent experiences. I prioritize creating an accessible, affirming environment, particularly for Deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals. My work incorporates art-making, body-based awareness, and mindfulness to support emotional regulation and nervous system balance. As a PhD student in Art Therapy Psychology at Dominican University of California, I integrate research with practice to foster self-awareness, resilience, and authentic expression.