Meet Dr. Jhokania!

Jhokania De Los Santos, PH.D.

Post-Doctoral Resident

Pronouns: She/her/hers

Positionality: I identify as an Afro-Latina cisgender woman. Born to Dominican immigrant parents, I have been raised in a bilingual and bicultural home. Clients who work with me can speak English, Spanish, Spanglish, or a mix of these in our sessions.
 

My Background & Approach:

Hello! I am Dr. Jhokania De Los Santos. Throughout my career as a bilingual therapist, I have supported Black & Indigenous People of Color (BIPOC) and Latinx individuals to overcome adversities of various transitions of adulthood; while interacting in communities & systems often not supportive of their growth. In my clinical work, I am most passionate about on the advancement of culturally responsive therapeutic practices that affirm the lived experiences of BIPOCs, while utilizing holistic approaches.

 

I unite philosophies of mental, physical, and spiritual wellness that equips people with the information and tools necessary to heal themselves. Therapy is collaborative, and I do my best to make it as interactive as possible, with many reflection points and exercises to help the client understand themselves better and feel more compassion so that they can take action. I believe in the liberation of our minds as a necessary quality of our overall wellness and liberation. My work is to empower the client, help them use autonomous decision making in order to better self-manage their condition, gain control over their health, develop a sense of meaning and coherence, and remain socially integrated. After all, the client is indeed the expert.
 

Theoretical & Clinical Orientation:

Primarily, my approaches are grounded in an integrative ecological approach largely influenced by Interpersonal Process Therapy (IPT), Multicultural Feminist Therapy (MFT), Trauma-Focused CBT, and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). I emphasize the exploration of a client’s many intersecting identities and how these identities impact our lived experiences.

 

I strive to help people reclaim their vitality within a safe space in a few months, despite a long time living out of alignment. I use strength-based approaches in therapy to build on a clients’ own inner strengths, instead of trying to fix weaknesses or deficits. This approach allows me to emphasize the importance of identifying and using support resources available in the client’s life to help them see beyond what is lacking in their lives. It’s important that we realize that all people have inherent value, and I’ll make sure to shine a light to help clients see their own worth.

 

As a therapist, I wear many hats, and they include being a facilitator of self-discovery; a change agent helping to pry the client loose from negative life patterns, and a helper toward the client’s authentic being. Throughout the therapeutic process, the client will recognize the lasting impact of past experiences and traumas on current relationships, beliefs, and behaviors.

Professional Credentials

• Post-Doctoral Resident working towards licensure as a psychologist in the State of Georgia

• Working under the direction and supervision of Dr. Sophia Aguirre, Ph.D., CGP, FAGPA

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Education

• Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology, The University of Georgia

• M.A. in Clinical Psychology, Columbia University

• B.A. in Psychology, University of Rhode Island

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Additional Clinical Specializations:

• Advanced Primary Care Certificate, Montefiore Medical Center

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Professional Affiliations

• Member, National Latinx Psychological Association