At Integrated Bilingual Counseling, LLC in West Haven, CT, you will have your specific needs met in a way that is collaborative, comfortable, and conscientious. We will work with you and for you to ensure that you are meeting your individual therapeutic goals and becoming the person you’ve always been capable of being.
JOSE VILLAFUERTE, LCSW – EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Jose Villafuerte is a Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW) and Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) with 10 years of experience in the field of social services. Jose started his studies in Ecuador where he majored in psychology at University Particular of Loja. He was then granted a scholarship through the Kolbe House of Studies and Sacred Heart University where he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts, major in psychology. Jose then pursued graduate education and graduated from Fordham University with a master’s degree in clinical social work. Jose worked for the State of Connecticut for several years in the capacity of social worker and has also worked for non-profit organizations in the New Haven area. Integrated Bilingual Counseling is Jose’s initiative to serve the community and more importantly the Hispanic population who have limited access to behavioral services in their native language, Spanish and with the understanding of their culture. Jose utilizes different therapeutic approaches to treat clients such as Rational Emotive Behavioral Therapy (REBT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT), Motivational Enhancement, and Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR). Jose welcomes all clients hoping to assist in achieving their treatment goals.
MAYRA AGUIRRE, LCSW – CLINICAL DIRECTOR
Mayra Aguirre, LCSW is a bilingual Licensed Clinical Social Worker who has been serving individuals, adolescents, children and families from all backgrounds and clinical need for many years. Mayra started working in social services at a very young age. Before moving to USA, Mayra volunteered at orphanages and children’s hospitals in Ecuador, her native country. Mayra always knew her passion was to serve those in need. Mayra graduated from Sacred Heart University where she was part of the National Honor Society of Social Workers. Mayra continued her education and obtained her Masters in Social Work from Fordham University where she graduated summa cum laude with a concentration on Children and Families. After completing her MSW degree, Mayra has been passionate in serving the Hispanic community due to this community’s limited access to mental health services and receiving treatment that understands their language and respects their culture, values and beliefs. She has worked for several mental health agencies, hospitals, schools and government entities in positions providing Crisis Therapy, Substance Use counseling, Case Management, Wraparound Services, Supervision, Domestic Violence counseling, and Child & Family Therapy.
FRANCES AYALA, LCSW – CLINICIAN
Frances Ayala, LCSW is a dynamic Licensed Clinical Social Worker with over 8 years of experience in the mental health field. She’s served in various capacities with populations from diverse backgrounds, cultures and treatment needs. She also considers it a privilege to support and empower people to stand in their truth, despite the challenges that they face. Frances has worked as an Outpatient Clinician with the Enhanced Care Clinic at the Village for Families and Children in Hartford, CT, a Home-Based Clinician with Intercommunity’s therapeutic home-visiting program, Child FIRST in East Hartford, CT and as the Director of Young Adult Services with Continuum of Care, Inc. in New Haven, CT. She utilizes a variety of intervention approaches including, but not limited to: play and art therapy, relaxation and mindfulness, trauma-informed child/parent psychotherapy, video-intervention therapy, cognitive-behavioral therapy, motivational interviewing, circle of security and strength-based approaches. Frances is Bilingual-Spanish and graduated Cum Laude from La Sierra University with a Bachelors of Social Work, where she was a part of the Phi Alpha Honors Society. Frances later pursued her graduate degree and graduated Magna Cum Laude with a Masters of Social Work at the University of Connecticut with a concentration in groups. She is trained in Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and in the Attachment, Self-Regulation, and Competence (ARC) treatment framework. Through these experiences, she has learned that the art of building and maintaining healthy relationships are the cornerstone of healing and wellness.
MELINA INFANTINO, LCSW – CLINICIAN
Melina Infantino is a Bilingual Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) who believes in helping people to find and capitalize on their own internal strengths as a way to assist them in dealing with all the challenges that come with living life. She partners with her clients to create meaningful goals and supports them in making progress toward them. Melina has been working with children, adolescent, families and adults as a LCSW for over twelve years in the mental health field. She completed her Masters in Social Work at Southern Connecticut State University, where she specialized in working with children and families. She has also received specialized training in treating trauma and was certified in evidence-based treatments, such as Cognitive Processing Therapy – (Veteran Military Version), Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing, and Trauma Focused-Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (trauma treatment for children). Melina worked at Yale Child Study where she gained experience on conducting evaluations for youth, providing attachment-based interventions (e.g., Child-Parent Psychotherapy), Parent Management Training, psychodynamic therapy, and other evidence-based treatments for anxiety, depression, and disruptive behaviors. In addition, Melina worked for the State of Connecticut with a population of adult Hispanics who suffered co-occurring disorders. In sessions, she employs approaches that include: Motivational Interviewing, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Mindfulness and other treatments for anxiety, depression, and personality disorders. She has experience in individual, family, group, and couples therapy, as well as parent guidance sessions.