Biography

 

In 2006 Dr. Avilés obtained her doctorate in Clinical Psychology at Carlos Albizu University in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Upon the culmination of her doctorate degree, she worked as a co-therapist with a group of sexually abused children.  During that time, she also participated in two research projects  commissioned  by the Program for Victims of Sexual Abuse and their Families (Programa para Víctimas de Abuso Sexual y sus Familias/PAF). Later she continued to offer individual and group psychological services to students in vocational schools in the municipalities of Carolina, Trujillo Alto, and San Juan, Puerto Rico.

 

Dr. Avilés relocated to Springfield, MA in 2005 to begin her internship in Clinical Psychology at The Brightside School Street Counseling Institute. This institute provided mental health services to a multicultural community with limited resources. After completing her doctorate, Dr. Avilés continued working at the Institute providing psychotherapy and sex therapy to individuals, families, and couples, along with psycho-educational services focused on human sexuality.

 

In 2007, Dr. Avilés became certified as a Sexuality Educator by Planned Parenthood of Massachusetts.  In 2008, she became a Licensed Mental Health Counselor in the state of Massachusetts.  By 2012, she was certified as a Sex Therapist by the American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors, and Therapist (AASECT).

 

Dr. Avilés served as President of the Human Rights Committee for the residential and support program for mentally and intellectually disabled clients at the Gandara Center in Massachusetts. Dr. Avilés was also an appointed member of the Board of Directors of the Massachusetts Career Development Institute, Inc. and The Aids Foundations of Western Massachusetts.  She currently offers pro bono educational seminars on matters of interest to the AIDS Foundation of Western Massachusetts clients and supporters.

 

Dr. Avilés’ private practice is located in both Amherst and Worcester, Massachusetts. Her clinical work is focused on gender identity, gender dysphoria, sexual orientation and the diagnosis and treatment of sexual dysfunctions.  Additionally, her practice focuses in the treatment of depression, anxiety disorders, trauma, use of substances, and behavioral addictions such as gambling disorder.  In addition to providing psychotherapy services, Dr. Avilés offers psychoeducational presentations, professional trainings, clinical supervision, and consulting services for individuals in private practice and organizations.

 

 

Experience working with gender identity

 

• Dr. Avilés has a decade of experience working with transgender and gender variant individuals.

 

• Dr. Avilés began working with the transgender community in the state of Massachusetts.

 

• In 2007, she began training mental health providers at Brightside School Street Counseling Institute in Massachusetts on aspects of sexuality and gender identity.

 

• In 2008, Dr. Avilés, was the co-leader and sex therapy expert of a relationship enhancement couples group for mixed gender couples.

 

• Also in 2008, invited by the Department of Psychiatry of the School of Medicine at the University of Puerto Rico, she presented on “Human sexuality, sexual orientation, and gender identity issues in the psychotherapeutic process”.

 

•  While teaching the Human Sexuality and Sex Therapy course at Cambridge College in  Massachusetts, Dr. Avilés developed a learning module about gender identity and gender dysphoria.

 

• Dr. Avilés is a member of the World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH).  In her clinical practice she follows the WPATH’s Standards of Care (7TH version) for the diagnosis and treatment of individuals with gender dysphoria.  In addition, she actively participates in the events organized by the association such as the 23rd WPATH symposium held in Bangkok, Thailand on February 2014.

 

• In January of 2015 she participated in “First Event” in Boston, Massachusetts, a gathering of the transgender community, including doctors and mental health professionals who specialize in providing services to this community.

 

• Her clinical services include interventions directed to help clients explore and accept their gender identity.  She performs evaluations and writes referral letters for hormone therapy, sex reassignment (confirmation) surgery (SRS), and other medically necessary procedures to treat gender dysphoria.  Family interventions are an essential part of her practice, as this allows her to support the families of  transgender and gender variant individuals.  Her interventions are focused in promoting safety, self-esteem, and well-being.

 

• Dr. Avilés is dedicated to work towards achieving accessible social, psychological, and medical services for the transgender and gender variant community in the United States, Puerto Rico, as well as other countries.