Migdalis Nieves

About Migdalis

My approach

My approach is trauma-informed, attachment-based, and collaborative. I draw from EMDR, DBT, parts work, CBT, and ACT depending on what fits your needs. I’m interested in understanding both where your patterns came from and how they affect your life today. Therapy is a space to develop insight while also creating meaningful change.

About me

I’m a bilingual Spanish-English speaking Licensed Clinical Social Worker serving Virginia, Maryland, and DC virtually. I value honesty, curiosity, and meaningful connection in therapy. I want clients to feel comfortable bringing their full experiences into the room as we explore the relationships, experiences, and patterns that have shaped who they are.

More background

In what ways does your personality influence your approach to therapy?

My personality plays a central role in how I approach therapy. I tend to be direct and transparent, as I view honesty as a fundamental form of respect in the therapeutic relationship. Clients can expect clear, thoughtful feedback that is grounded in care and intention. At the same time, I prioritize creating a warm and supportive environment. It is important to me that clients feel genuinely seen, heard, and safe rather than simply evaluated. This balance of straightforwardness and empathy shapes each session. I strive to be both authentic and compassionate, offering a space where clients can engage in meaningful, honest work while feeling supported throughout the process.

What does success look like in therapy? How will a client know that they are making progress?

Success in therapy is not always marked by a single breakthrough moment. More often, it unfolds gradually and becomes evident in the way you move through your daily life. You may begin to notice subtle but meaningful changes, such as setting a boundary without being overwhelmed by guilt, or finding yourself in situations that once caused anxiety and realizing you feel steady and at ease. That persistent sense of waiting for something to go wrong may begin to lessen. Over time, you may feel less pressure to overexplain your needs or justify your emotions. Your thoughts, feelings, and boundaries start to feel valid on their own, without the need for external approval. You might also find yourself exploring new interests or reconnecting with parts of yourself that had been overlooked. Many people describe feeling more grounded and comfortable in their own body, less like they are in conflict with themselves, and more like they are becoming aligned with who they truly are. Often, progress becomes clear in hindsight. You may reflect on a situation and recognize that you responded differently than you would have in the past. These moments are meaningful indicators of growth. They reflect the work you are doing and the process of reconnecting with yourself.

Specialties

Types of therapy

Who Migdalis works with

Ages

Preteens (11-13), Teens (14-19), Adults

Communities

LGBTQ+, Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender, Non-Binary, BIPOC, Black / African American, Latino / Hispanic, Asian American, Indigenous / Native American, Immigrant, Neurodivergent, Body Positive, Single Parents

Languages

English, Spanish

Education and training

MSW