Rhonda Faye Figueroa
MS Psych, MS Ed, L-CAT #000988
Trauma
Relationships
Transitions
Client Focus: Individuals, Adults, Seniors, Children, Young Adults
Specialties: Anxiety, Stress Management, Transitions, Social-Emotional Challenges, Relationships, Trauma, Neurodiversity Affirming
Treatment Methods: Creative Arts Therapy, Coaching, Expressive Arts, Narrative Therapy, Mindfulness, Person Centered, Positive Psychology, Eclectic, UCLA PEERS
Rhonda Faye Figueroa is a Licensed Creative Arts Therapist specializing in supporting adults through relationships, trauma, and life transitions. She has been a lifelong helper, offering guidance without judgment. Her background as a Special Educator instilled in her a deep appreciation for resilience and transformation, which she now brings to her work with adults facing unique challenges. Rhonda believes creative expression provides valuable insight, especially for those who struggle to put their experiences into words, and she prioritizes helping clients recognize and freely express their emotions.
Her therapeutic approach is integrative and multimodal, drawing on expressive arts, narrative therapy, journaling, and solution-focused techniques. She also incorporates mindfulness and acceptance-based practices to help clients identify and build on their strengths as they work toward their goals.
Rhonda believes that words have power and that the stories we tell ourselves shape our beliefs and behaviors. Sometimes, these narratives can feel limiting or challenging, but through therapy, clients can reframe their experiences and create more empowering perspectives. Re-authoring one's story can have a profound impact on how we navigate life's challenges. Over time, Rhonda has discovered that combining her artistic talents with her skill with words can open the door to entirely new ways of seeing and understanding oneself.
With a Master of Science in Psychology, a Master of Science in General & Special Education, UCLA PEERS certification, and multiple NYSED credentials, Rhonda brings extensive expertise to her practice. She believes the process is more important than the product, and by integrating art with narrative, clients can create new perspectives of themselves that they may never have imagined. Her hope is for clients to explore their emotions, foster self-awareness, and develop coping skills that support positive, lasting change.
Outside the therapy room, Rhonda cherishes time with her family. She also enjoys crafting, gardening, reading, and exploring astrology.
Narrative Reframing Through Creative Expression
Rhonda believes that exploring and expanding alternative life narratives helps clients recognize their thoughts and feelings, set healthy boundaries, and prioritize their well-being. She sees self-care as a way to reclaim personal power. By focusing on wellness and positive mental health, clients can strengthen coping skills and build resilience. Through creative arts, writing, journaling, and narrative therapy, clients have the opportunity to reframe their stories and create new, more empowering perspectives.Life Transitions and Identity Development
Using a variety of therapeutic writing techniques and elements of art, Rhonda helps adults navigate major life transitions-whether career changes, relationship shifts, or identity exploration. She supports clients in broadening their perspectives, building resilience, and enhancing self-awareness and self-esteem.Special Education Foundation
Rhonda's background as a Special Educator, working with emotionally challenged children, adolescents, and adults, has shown her the power of witnessing resilience and transformation firsthand. She now brings that same compassionate, patient approach to her work with her clients, recognizing that growth and healing are possible at any age and that every journey is unique.
"I have been a 'helper' to others for as long as I can remember. I was the class mentor, the tutor, and the one who provided guidance to others without judgment. As a Special Educator, I taught emotionally challenged children and adolescents, and there was no greater reward than observing my students develop resilience and transformation. Over time, I found that by combining my artistic talents with my ability to navigate with words, a whole new perspective came to life."
- Rhonda Faye Figueroa, MS Psych, MS Ed, L-CAT