Charles Cordova is a licensed bilingual (Spanish) Psychotherapist who works with adults and adolescents using various therapeutic approaches. In addition to addressing a range of general mental health concerns, he he can also help you address a variety of specific issues such as ADHD, Depression, Bipolar Disorder, Addiction, Anxiety, and more.
He is also a certified ADHD-Clinical Services Provider (ADHD-CCSP)
Charles Cordova
Bilingual Psychotherapist
“I approach each session with the knowledge that an individual's reality is unique, with a sense of humor, and from a nonjudgmental person-centered stance.”
What was your path to becoming a therapist?
Throughout my life, I have always been driven to the helping professions in one way or another. My interest in becoming a therapist was first sparked by my experiences working as an emergency medical technician responding to 911 calls. Working with those who were experiencing psychological distress, I quickly learned how critical it was to build trust and engage individuals in a timely manner in order to deescalate feelings of crisis. This spark eventually led me to study psychology in college. I then obtained a master’s degree with a focus on counseling psychology from Columbia University. Moreover, my work in the non-profit sector with marginalized and oppressed populations has shown me that we all have experienced trauma to some extent and that we all have the ability to increase our resilience and develop healthy skills that allow us to cope with the challenges that are placed in our path. These experiences have instilled in me the ability to maintain and project a sense of calmness when the world seems anything but.
What should someone know about working with you?
I approach each session with the knowledge that an individual’s reality is unique, with a sense of humor, and from a nonjudgmental person-centered stance. Trust and the ability to be vulnerable are not expectations that I hold for initial sessions as I understand that trust is earned and, without it, having an honest dialogue is challenging. Moreover, being vulnerable in front of a stranger can be an unpleasant experience. I follow the pace set by the client in order to meet them where they are. My goal is to develop a trusting therapeutic relationship, create a safe, nonjudgmental space where individuals can explore their needs, values, beliefs, and associated emotions. I believe that individuals are the foremost experts on themselves and, thus, I view my role as a guide. I am there to help guide clients during both their challenging experiences as well as those which bring joy into their lives. I incorporate psychodynamic, cognitive behavioral, and holistic approaches (among others) with the hope that our work together will illuminate the path toward achieving our established goals.
What are the advantages of therapy?
The decision to enter therapy is a personal one. It is also a decision that allows you to take a step toward further empowering yourself. Gaining increased insight, a sense of personal growth, and emotional control can be a deeply transformative experience. We are living in a world that is vastly different than what we have collectively experienced thus far, with challenges like pandemics and renewed pushback against the systems that contribute to the oppression of marginalized populations. In times where it can be difficult to establish your own sense of control, therapy serves as an initial building block that enables you to exert your own sense of autonomy in the face of both internal and external factors.