BIO

Lourdes Villanueva-Cruz, LMSW, earned a master’s degree from Fordham University and an undergraduate degree from SUNY New Paltz, where she studied Sociology with a minor in Social Work. Ms. Villanueva-Cruz also holds a master’s degree in religion, concentrating on Pastoral Counseling. She has over 30 years of experience in social work across various settings, including schools, community group homes, domestic violence shelters, community mental health clinics, and an OCFS Detention Center. Ms. Villanueva-Cruz has worked with a diverse clientele, encompassing children, teens, young adults, adults, couples, and the elderly. Alongside her expertise in handling anxiety, depression, personality disorders, low self-esteem, family issues, grief and loss, domestic violence, sexual assault, suicidal ideations, and obsessive-compulsive disorders, she also provides spiritual counseling and support to those grappling with their faith. Ms. Villanueva-Cruz employs the following therapeutic techniques: Solution Focus, Play Therapy, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT), and Trauma Focused CBT (TF-CBT).  Ms. Villanueva-Cruz is enthusiastic about clinical work and views herself as a change agent. Her passion is to reach, reconcile, and restore those seeking help. 

Ms. Villanueva-Cruz believes that in working together, you will find your inner strength and courage to overcome your fears, heal your pain, and become the person you were intended to be. Christian counseling is effective for spiritual enrichment, strengthening one’s relationship with God, and overcoming or managing mental health issues like depression, anxiety, and other issues.  She also believes that if you could feel safe within the client-therapist relationship, if an individual feels heard, understood, and respected, they have the foundation to face their pain and heal.