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LICSW

Desiree Maldonado-Peluffo, LICSW

  • Experience10 years
  • LocationMassachusetts
  • Focus areasStress and Anxiety, Relationship, and Family
  • Therapy approachesInternal Family Systems and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
  • LanguagesEnglish and Spanish
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About Desiree

Desiree Maldonado-Peluffo is a licensed clinical social worker in Massachusetts who works with people facing stress, anxiety, depression, relationship and family difficulties, and life transitions.

Background and approach

She brings ten years of professional experience to helping clients navigate emotional pain and the ongoing effects of trauma, offering practical skills as well as compassionate support to foster hope and stronger connections with self and others.

Her work draws on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Mindfulness practices, and Internal Family Systems to help clients identify unhelpful patterns, reduce the influence of difficult emotions, and build more intentional ways of living. Desiree aims to collaborate with each person to develop tools for improved coping, clearer communication, and personal growth.

Sessions are conducted in English and Spanish and designed to meet each client where they are while encouraging meaningful change.

How therapeutic approaches translate to online care



Internal Family Systems (IFS) helps clients explore the different parts of their inner experience, such as protective or vulnerable parts, and aims to foster self-led healing by improving internal communication and compassion. This approach can be useful for people working through trauma, dissociation, or persistent emotional patterns. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) focuses on clarifying personal values and developing psychological flexibility through acceptance and mindful action; it often supports coping with anxiety, depression, and life transitions by helping clients take meaningful steps despite difficult thoughts or feelings.

Finding the right approach is part of the therapeutic process; Desiree works collaboratively with each person to determine which combination of methods best fits their needs, goals, and preferences. Clients and therapist make choices together about pacing, techniques, and whether to emphasize skills practice, inner-part work, or mindfulness skills during sessions.

Online therapy through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging offers practical flexibility for scheduling and makes it easier to maintain continuity of care from home or other locations. These options allow clients to access consistent support while adapting session format to what feels most comfortable and helpful for their life.

Frequently asked questions

What concerns does Desiree commonly address?
She works with stress, anxiety, depression, relationship and family problems, and challenges related to coping with life changes; additional focus areas include attachment, abandonment, codependency, and post-traumatic stress.
What is her therapeutic style like?
The approach blends collaborative, skills-based methods with compassionate, mindful techniques drawn from CBT, ACT, mindfulness therapy, and Internal Family Systems.
How much clinical experience does she have?
Desiree has ten years of professional experience working with clients on mood, relationship, and trauma-related concerns.
What are her credentials and where is she based?
She holds an MA and practices as an LICSW licensed in Massachusetts; her license is listed as LICSW121390.
Which languages are available and can she see clients internationally?
Sessions are offered in English and Spanish, and she is not accepting international clients at this time.
What session formats does she offer?
Clients can meet via video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging depending on preferences and scheduling.
How is cost handled for sessions?
Cost varies by location and therapist availability; sessions use a subscription model that may be canceled at any time.
What are the first steps to begin working together?
Start by selecting the Start Therapy button, completing a short matching questionnaire, and then scheduling according to the therapist's availability.

Areas of expertise

Primary focus

Stress, AnxietyRelationship issuesFamily conflictsDepressionCoping with life changes

Additional focus areas

AbandonmentAttachment issuesCodependencyCommitment issuesCommunication problemsControl issuesDissociationFamily problemsLife purposeMood disordersNarcissismPost-traumatic stressSeasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)Social anxiety and phobiaYoung adult issues

Therapeutic approaches

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)Mindfulness TherapyInternal Family Systems

Experience

10+ years

Licensed

Massachusetts

Languages

English, Spanish