Ana Maria Leon Gomez
At an early age, I became interested in medicine, psychology, and research. The latter led me to study Biopsychology at Vassar College, Poughkeepsie, New York. I returned to my native Honduras and obtained work experience as a university professor and researcher at the National University of Honduras. A British Council Scholarship allowed me to obtain a master’s degree in Clinical Psychophysiology at the University of Manchester, Manchester, England. A few years later, I worked in research at the Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, USA.
These experiences widened my perspective, leading me to open a Private Practice in Psychology in 1990. At the same time, I started to work as a school counselor in the Escuela Anglo-America, and since the year 2000 at The American School of Tegucigalpa. In 2012, I relocated to New York City, where I worked as a psychotherapist.
The experiences lived in the past few years allowed me to gain in-depth knowledge in different areas. It also gave me the opportunity to work with different types of therapies with children and adolescents in pre-adoptive and post-adoptive situations at Spence Chapin Services to Families and Children. This work experience enriched my professional life. It helped me to empathize with the difficulties faced by the families, accompanying and supporting them through their journey.
At the present time, the COVID-19 pandemic led us to move forward and start a virtual professional life. My academic studies, professional actualizations, and life experiences have led me to reflect on the importance of using my knowledge and skills to help others. The latter will allow me to do my part in building a more altruistic, kind, and fair world.
IMPACT AWARD 2016
NATIONAL PRESS AWARD ’91
RECOGNITION AWARD 2010
Mission
The Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Mental Health Assessment Center’s mission is to provide evidenced-based treatment for mental health issues in children/teens and adults. Our assessments for learning, behavioral, and emotional difficulties in children, adolescents, and young adults will provide the foundation for treatment services.
Vision
The Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Mental Health Assessment Center will continue to provide families and individuals with excellence in care and service.
Core Values
The professional ethics is reflected by the actions of the clinician, who carries out a true and actualized assessment.
The families who are attended will receive the proper respect regarding their beliefs, life experiences, and cultural upbringing.
Adaptability is reflected in the use of psychometric instruments that are reliable and actualized through virtual platforms recognized globally.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many sessions does the psychotherapy process take?
The psychotherapeutic process will last three to six months depending on the issues to be worked on. In some cases, it may take a more extended period of time. Follow-up and booster sessions are part of the therapy process.
How long are the sessions?
A session lasts 45 minutes. For children and tweens, the first 10 minutes of the session is a check-up with the parent. The rest of the session involves the CBT work with the child. Teens and adults are also seen for 45 minutes. A separate session will be set up for the teen’s parents.
Are sessions carried out virtually? Is this effective for children?
Virtual therapy sessions have been found to be as effective as live therapy sessions. In our experience, children 6 and up can benefit from virtual therapy, above all the most important thing is to establish that bond with the child and their family.
How long does a Clinical Mental Health Assessment last?
A Clinical Mental Health Assessment consists of various steps. There is an initial consultation with the parents, a clinical interview with the child, and then the administration of the tests. The child’s school will be contacted through the process. Once results have been explained to parents and a written report is ready, a school virtual visit is arranged.
How much time does it take to administer the testing?
Depending on the type of evaluation and the progress achieved in the sessions, it may take between 6-8 hours.
What is the virtual Clinical Mental Health Evaluation like?
The virtual Clinical Mental Health Evaluation takes place through a secure and HIPPA compliant virtual platform in which the child/adolescent connects to the clinician through a computer at home. Tests administered are also virtual in nature.