Desiree Maldonado-Peluffo

Desiree Maldonado-Peluffo is a LICSW - a clinical social worker licensed in Massachusetts - with 10 years of professional experience. She helps people facing stress, anxiety, relationship strain, family problems, depression, and big life changes. She also works with issues like attachment concerns, codependency, commitment doubts, and questions about life purpose.

She uses practical talk and skill-building during sessions. That can mean learning ways to notice and change unhelpful thoughts, practicing mindfulness to steady strong emotions, and identifying values that guide decisions. Sessions focus on specific challenges and small experiments to test new ways of coping.

Desiree draws on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy alongside mindfulness practices and Internal Family Systems ideas. These approaches aim to reduce rigid thinking, increase flexibility, and name the parts of experience that get in the way of daily functioning. The work often blends noticing patterns with concrete behavioral steps.

Her style is direct and process-oriented. People leave with tools they can use between meetings, such as grounding techniques, simple thought records, and short behavioral experiments. She also helps clients sort through relationship dynamics and communication habits that keep problems repeating.

Sessions are offered in English and Spanish. Because she is based in Massachusetts, her licensure and practice reflect state standards. If someone is unsure about next steps, she asks a few focused questions and maps out an initial plan together.

How her therapeutic approaches translate to online work

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) focuses on clarifying what matters to you and taking small steps toward those values, even when feelings are difficult. It can help when anxiety or confusion keeps someone from moving forward. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) breaks down unhelpful thoughts and behaviors into workable pieces, then tests changes with short exercises and practice between sessions. That method is useful for mood problems, social anxiety, and stress management.

Finding the right approach is part of the work. She will collaborate with clients to choose methods that fit their goals and preferences, and adjust the plan as progress is observed. That means trying an exercise, checking how it lands, and shifting strategies if needed.

The practical benefits of online sessions depend on confirmed formats, so check current options before booking. Online meetings can make it easier to fit appointments into a busy week, allow shorter check-ins when schedules are tight, and reduce travel time. If a client prefers phone or video for reasons like lower bandwidth or not being on camera, discuss that during the match questionnaire and scheduling step so sessions can be arranged to suit everyday life.