- Acceptance - Connection - Honesty
- Acceptance - Connection - Honesty
What is to
feel authentic?
Our Therapists
“Growth can feel uncomfortable at times, but therapy offers a powerful space for healing and self-discovery. As a therapist with a direct and compassionate approach, I am committed to helping you explore difficult patterns and emotions, fostering deeper self-awareness and meaningful change within a supportive space”.
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Jaidys Rossy, Psy.D
She l Her l Hers
Dr. Rossy is a bilingual (English/Spanish) Clinical Psychologist, who received her doctoral degree in Clinical Psychology from Ponce Health Sciences University (PHSU). As part of her post-doctoral training in Feelthentic Therapy Group, she is completing a fellowship year under psychodynamic and trauma-informed modalities serving adults who reside in Puerto Rico, New York and Florida.
Before becoming interested in psychodynamic therapy, Dr. Rossy received specialized training in Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT). She provided both individual and group DBT therapy focusing on emotional regulation, mindfulness, distress tolerance, and interpersonal effectiveness for individuals with personality disorders, particularly borderline personality disorder.
Throughout her training, Dr. Rossy has provided therapy using various approaches, most grounded in theoretical foundations of the Biopsychosocial model, to individuals across the lifespan, including children and older adults, with a primary focus on adults and adolescents. She has treated a broad range of psychological diagnoses and clinical presentations, including personality disorders, mood disorders, anxiety disorders, substance use disorders, trauma-related conditions, emotional distress, individuals experiencing suicidal ideation and/or behaviors, as well as individuals engaging in self-injurious behaviors.
In addition to her clinical background, she has been working as the Chief Operating Officer of a logistics and trucking company for almost nine years, providing her with unique insight into workplace dynamics, leadership challenges, and labor-related stressors. Outside of her professional work, Dr. Rossy enjoys playing sports, spending time with her dogs, discovering great meals, traveling and exploring different cultures. She is deeply passionate about animal welfare and advocating against systemic injustices. These personal interests contribute to her warm and direct approach when working with patients from diverse walks of life.
Dr. Rossy is dedicated to helping individuals navigate their most vulnerable topics by combining insight-oriented modalities with behavioral techniques when necessary. She has a particular interest in helping individuals uncover the depths of their unique personalities and explore how unprocessed pain can manifest in their relationships, self-perception, and worldview, while also guiding their life choices and decisions.
“Therapy has the power to transform not just what we do, but how we understand who we are. When we begin to name what once was unconscious—our patterns, symptoms, defenses—we create the possibility for something new to emerge. My work is rooted in exploring the emotional truths beneath behavior, uncovering the unresolved experiences that silently shape how we love, protect, and relate to ourselves and others.”
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Dalissa Nevárez, Psy.D
She | Her | Hers
Founder of Feelthentic Therapy Group, PLLC
Licensed in New York, Florida, Puerto Rico & PSYPACT states
Dr. Dalissa Nevárez is a bilingual (English/Spanish) Clinical Psychologist licensed in New York, Florida, and Puerto Rico. She is also authorized under PSYPACT legislation to provide telehealth services to individuals across 40+ participating states.
She earned her doctoral degree in Clinical Psychology from Ponce Health Sciences University in Puerto Rico, her home country, and completed her pre-doctoral internship at Nassau University Medical Center, a public hospital in Long Island, New York. There, she trained across diverse clinical settings, including inpatient psychiatry with adolescents and adults, outpatient services, bedside neuropsychological evaluations, and forensic work within the jail unit of the hospital. She later completed her postdoctoral fellowship at the renowned Mount Sinai Morningside Hospital/Icahn School of Medicine in New York City.
Dr. Nevárez has trained in several of New York City’s leading hospital systems, including NewYork-Presbyterian/Columbia University Irving Medical Center and Mount Sinai Hospital. Across both Puerto Rico and New York, she has worked with underserved and marginalized populations—including BIPOC, LGBTQIA+ individuals, immigrants, and incarcerated communities—through institutions such as the Medical Center of Puerto Rico, the Roberto Clemente Family Guidance Center (NYC Health + Hospitals), and Nassau University Medical Center. These clinical experiences have deeply shaped her commitment to trauma-informed and culturally responsive care.
Her areas of expertise include complex trauma, intergenerational trauma, and posttraumatic stress, as well as broader diagnostic presentations such as anxiety, depression, substance use disorders, psychosis, and personality disorders. She has provided care across the lifespan and also trained in Health Psychology, offering support to individuals navigating HIV, gastrointestinal and autoimmune diseases, terminal illness, and neurocognitive conditions.
Dr. Nevárez integrates psychodynamic, trauma-informed, and behavioral approaches in her work. She has provided individual, group, and family therapy using frameworks such as Psychodynamic Psychotherapy (short- and long-term), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Motivational Interviewing (MI), and specialized treatments for psychosis. She also holds certifications in Complex Trauma (Levels I & II) and Internal Family Systems (IFS Level I).
Before founding Feelthentic Therapy Group, Dr. Nevárez served as a faculty member and Assistant Clinical Professor of Psychiatry at the World Trade Center Mental Health Program (WTC-MHP) at Mount Sinai Hospital/Icahn School of Medicine. She continues to work with 9/11 survivors, first responders, veterans, and immigrants as an external provider for the World Trade Center Health Program. As part of her commitment to trauma-informed care, she led Feelthentic in becoming a fully registered provider with the WTC Health Program—ensuring access to culturally attuned, trauma-sensitive therapy for individuals impacted by the events of September 11th.
In addition to her clinical work, Dr. Nevárez is a clinical supervisor passionate about shaping the next generation of trauma-informed therapists. Her approach to supervision is rooted in a strength-based philosophy that centers authenticity over technique. She believes that clinical growth is not only about mastering theory, but about helping each trainee connect with the parts of themselves that feel most alive, emotionally attuned, and capable of meaningful presence in the room. Through this lens, she supports trainees in navigating clinical complexity with curiosity, clarity, and integrity.
As a member of the Puerto Rican diaspora, Dr. Nevárez is personally familiar with the emotional challenges of living far from home—navigating identity, longing, cultural rupture, and survival in unfamiliar spaces. She also knows firsthand how difficult it can be to find high-quality therapy in Spanish and care that feels culturally attuned. Feelthentic was born from that experience: a desire to create a therapeutic space where people can reconnect with themselves without having to let go of where they come from.
“I believe in the capacity of every person to make changes to improve themselves. I aspire to offer a space where you can feel safe and supported in reaching the best version of yourself and creating the changes you want to see”.
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Deborah Montalvo, Psy.D
She | Her | Hers
Licensed in Puerto Rico, New York, and in Florida (for tele-health services only).
Dr. Montalvo is a bilingual (Spanish/English) Clinical Psychologist licensed in Puerto Rico. She completed her doctoral degree in Clinical Psychology at the Ponce Health Sciences University in Puerto Rico, her home country. Since the beginning of her career, she has dedicated to helping the underserved through community services, research projects, and clinical interventions. She has offered psychotherapy to Spanish-speaking and English-speaking people from a wide range of ages and socio-cultural backgrounds and with different psychosocial needs.
Dr. Montalvo has trained and worked in varied settings, including medical inpatient and outpatient scenarios, offering services through individual, family, and group modalities. She has provided psychotherapy to individuals with complex trauma histories, such as immigrants, veterans, young inmates, LGBTTQ+, and survivors and perpetrators of violence. Across her psychology career, she has functioned as a research assistant, teaching assistant, and clinician.
She has trained and worked in the New York City Area, including the Roberto Clemente Center, the Cayuga Centers Home for Children, and the Northport VA Medical Center. Dr. Montalvo obtained postdoctoral training with the Veterans Health Administration, specializing in Health Promotion/Disease Prevention and Primary Care Mental Health. She delivered integrated care to patients with mental and medical comorbidities by consulting and collaborating with other professionals. Additionally, she has provided training and consultation to interdisciplinary teams, students, trainees, and colleagues. She trained in Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction, Motivational Interviewing, and Psychodynamic Psychotherapy. Dr. Montalvo continued her clinical work as Staff Psychologist within the Veterans Health Administration in Florida and Puerto Rico.
Throughout her career, she has integrated humanistic, systemic, and psychodynamic views into her clinical practice. She has applied evidence-based practices such as cognitive-behavioral, acceptance-based, and trauma-informed approaches, tuning interventions to the needs of her clientele. Dr. Montalvo has conducted brief and long-term psychotherapeutic treatment for individuals suffering from post-traumatic stress, anxiety, and mood disturbance. She has also facilitated interventions to effectively manage medical conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, obesity, and chronic pain.
Dr. Montalvo is committed to delivering sensitive care to an ethnically and culturally diverse population, honoring their values and preferences. She believes in treating clients holistically, simultaneously addressing their psychological, physical, spiritual, and social concerns to facilitate recovery. Dr. Montalvo sees the psychotherapeutic space as one that enables growth and healing through the interaction and collaboration of two human beings.
“At times, in order to survive deep wounds, we learn to cover them—hoping that will be enough. And for a while, it may be. But eventually, we begin to notice the pain persists beneath the surface, and the bandage no longer holds. Therapy offers a space to gently uncover what’s been hidden, to tend to what still hurts, and to make room for healing that goes deeper. My goal as a therapist is to walk alongside you with care and compassion as you begin that process.”
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Kimberly Cancel, M.S.
Doctoral Trainee in Clinical Psychology
She | Her | Hers
Kimberly Cancel-Vargas is a fourth-year doctoral student in Clinical Psychology at Ponce Health Sciences University (PHSU), where she also earned a Master’s degree in Clinical Psychology. She began her academic journey at the University of Puerto Rico at Mayagüez, earning a bachelor’s degree in Psychology. Before entering graduate school, Kimberly worked as a history and T1 teacher—an experience that deepened her interest in understanding human behavior and emotional suffering.
As part of her professional development, Kimberly has presented at various academic conferences, including the Puerto Rico Psychological Association Annual Convention, the University of Virginia Symposium, the Leadership Alliance National Symposium (LANS), and the PHSU-PRI Annual Scientific Conference. Clinically, she has provided therapy to a wide range of individuals across the lifespan, including children, adolescents, adults, and older adults, as well as members of historically marginalized communities and the LGBTQ+ population.
Her clinical experience includes supporting individuals navigating a range of emotional and psychological concerns, such as substance use, depression, anxiety, trauma, panic disorder, prolonged grief, borderline personality disorder, bipolar disorder, specific phobias, insomnia, and ADHD. She has received training in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and is currently expanding her work in psychodynamic and trauma-informed approaches. Her clinical focus includes a deep exploration of the inner world, early relational dynamics, and the unconscious patterns that continue to shape present-day experiences.
At Feelthentic, Kimberly offers a therapeutic presence grounded in compassion, respect, and dignity. She approaches therapy as a collaborative and reflective process—one that moves beyond the symptom to uncover the emotional pain it represents, the inner conflicts that silently shape our relationships, choices, and self-perception, and the deeper messages our psyche attempts to communicate through distress.
Born and raised along the coast of Puerto Rico, Kimberly finds grounding in nature, creativity, and the ocean. Outside of the clinical setting, she enjoys writing, singing, reading fantasy novels, and spending time with her rescued cat, Oby.
“Establishing a warm, trusting, nurturing, supportive and non-judgmental relationship has been the hallmark of my many years of experience. As a therapist, I offer a framework and a space that can lead to corrective emotional experiences and a more satisfying life and relationships.”
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Santos Vales, Ph.D
He | Him | His
Licensed in NY and in Florida (for telehealth services).
Dr. Vales, a native New Yorker, is a bilingual, bicultural (Puerto Rican descendant), English/Spanish speaking Clinical Psychologist currently in private practice licensed by the state of New York. He is also the resident clinical supervisor for the Psychological Center, the training clinic for the City College of New York, clinical psychology doctoral program. He completed his Doctoral Degree in Clinical Psychology at Teachers College/Columbia University. That was followed by his continued training as an Intern in the Clinical Psychology Program at New York Presbyterian Hospital/Columbia University Medical Center where upon completion he continued his career for 23 years as a staff clinical psychologist and as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychiatry, Columbia College of Physicians and Surgeons. His role as an educator included the supervision of trainees within both the New York Presbyterian/Columbia University Clinical Psychology Externship and Internship Programs as well as Psychiatry Interns. In addition to working with trainees, Dr Vales led a twice monthly consultation supervision group for supervising Clinical Psychologists, Psychiatrists and Clinical Social Workers.
Dr Vales works from a psychodynamic (relational/interpersonal) approach with some CBT/DBT when appropriate. He has worked with a diverse population including Bipoc and Non-Bipoc adolescents, adults, geriatric, physically handicapped persons and the LBGTQ community. His areas of treatment focus have included depression, anxiety, complex/generational trauma, stress management, substance abuse, bereavement, relationship issues, aging, and chronic pain just to mention a few. Dr Vales carries a wealth of experience in the treatment of Alcohol and Substance Misuse Disorders. Prior to his training as a clinical psychologist, he was a certified alcohol and substance abuse counselor (CASAC) licensed by the state of New York and worked for many years in many modalities of treatment including Detox, Intensive Outpatient and Inpatient Rehab. Upon completing his internship training he was the alcohol and substance abuse counselor in the New York Presbyterian Outpatient Clinic and in the Psychiatric Emergency Room (CPEP) before moving on to the Latino Psychiatric Community Clinic.
Making the decision to enter the therapy process is usually motivated by experiences in a person’s life that have resulted in loneliness, emptiness and feeling unfulfilled. Sadness, disappointment, and anger over relationships that have failed to satisfy the person’s needs are commonly expressed experiences. Feeling heard and understood generates a sense of hope and stimulates movement toward insight through exploration and examination of one's inner
life. Establishing a warm, trusting, nurturing, supportive and non-judgmental relationship has been the hallmark of Dr Vales’ 30+ years of experience as a helping professional. In your work with Dr Vales, he will offer a framework and a space that can lead to corrective emotional experiences and a more satisfying life and relationships.
About Us
We are a group of bilingual (English/Spanish) Latinx/e licensed clinical psychologists based in New York City, Florida and Puerto Rico. We provide online psychotherapy to clients who otherwise don’t have the time to drive to the doctor’s office and/or would like take care of their mental health in the comfort of their homes.
We work from an integrative, culturally sensitive, trauma-informed treatment approach that is tailored to our client's needs. Our clinicians have comprehensive clinical training in treating adults from a psychodynamic, humanistic, systemic, and behavioral frameworks.
Here we help clients obtain a deeper understanding of the origin and meaning behind the presenting symptoms, such as interpersonal difficulties, feeling stuck in an area of your life, and/or significant changes in your mood.
Moreover, we will guide you to explore parts of yourself that are holding burdens of painful experiences, which could be scary to explore alone.
Our interventions are scientifically and clinically supported by theories of the human psyche and behavior. We go beyond the prescription of coping techniques by exploring the messages the symptoms communicate as they show up in different forms of emotional and physiological pain.
Therapy with us?
Learn more about our therapy approach