- ACT based approaches
- CBT practical tools
- Speaks English and Spanish
About Desiree
Desiree Maldonado-Peluffo is a LICSW (Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker) practicing in Massachusetts with 10 years of professional experience. She works with young adults and others facing stress, anxiety, relationship and family problems, depression, and life changes. Desiree also addresses attachment and abandonment concerns, codependency, commitment and communication problems, dissociation, and issues related to life purpose and mood.
She uses practical methods drawn from Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and Mindfulness to help people notice thoughts and adjust behaviors. Sessions focus on skills people can use between meetings to manage mood and reduce anxiety. Desiree emphasizes concrete tools rather than vague talk, with simple strategies to handle overwhelming emotions and recurring patterns.
Desiree helps people untangle family conflict and relationship patterns by looking at how past attachments shape present reactions. She supports those coping with trauma symptoms, social anxiety, seasonal mood shifts, and the stress of major life transitions like starting a new job or leaving school. Work often includes pacing exposure to difficult feelings, practicing grounding and awareness techniques, and setting small achievable goals.
She offers therapy in English and Spanish and works from a social work perspective that centers practical change. Conversations are straightforward and aim to build clearer communication and more reliable coping. The emphasis is on real-world shifts that fit into a young adult's busy life.
If someone wants to start, Desiree asks them to complete a short matching questionnaire and schedule a first session to look at goals and next steps.
How her approaches translate to online sessions
Desiree draws on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy in straightforward ways. ACT helps people notice what matters and start small actions that reflect those values rather than getting stuck in avoidance. CBT focuses on identifying unhelpful thought patterns and testing small behavior changes to reduce anxiety and low mood.She also uses Mindfulness strategies to teach present-moment noticing and grounding practices that can lower stress. These techniques are useful for managing panic, social anxiety, seasonal mood dips, and the overwhelm of life transitions common in early adulthood.
Working out the right mix of methods is part of the work. She will collaborate with each person to decide which approaches fit their goals and preferences, and adjust over time based on what helps. The process is practical and shaped by the client's needs.
The therapist's profile does not specify which session formats are offered. Before booking, confirm the current session options. Online sessions can make it easier to fit therapy into studying, a workday, or a shift schedule, and some formats can be shorter check-ins when time is tight.
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
10+ years
Listed in
Massachusetts
Languages
English, Spanish
Frequently asked questions
What kinds of problems does she help with?
She works with stress, anxiety, relationship and family problems, depression, and life changes. Additional focus areas include attachment, codependency, trauma symptoms, and young adult issues.
What is her therapeutic style like?
She uses Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and Mindfulness. The work centers on practical skills, noticing patterns, and small behavior changes.
How much experience does she have?
She has ten years of professional work experience in clinical settings. That experience includes helping people with mood and relationship concerns.
What are her credentials and where is she based?
She is a LICSW licensed in Massachusetts and holds an MA LICSW credential. Her practice is located in Massachusetts.
Can I work with her if I don’t live in the U.S.?
International clients are not currently accepted. Sessions are offered in English and Spanish for people in the supported region.
Which session formats does she offer?
The original profile does not list specific session formats. Confirm current session options before booking to know whether she offers video, phone, or in-person meetings.
How does payment and cost work?
Cost varies with location and sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time. Exact pricing depends on the chosen session plan.
How do I begin working with her?
Select the See online therapy options button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule a first session to discuss goals and next steps.
Online talk therapy through BetterHelp is for adults aged 18 and over and is not emergency care. If you are in danger, use the emergency numbers. Find someone else by name.