Meet Aida E. Hernandez, MA, LPC, NCC (she/her/ella)
I am a warm, dynamic and empathetic counselor who believes that counseling is a space created together for the purpose of growth, healing and reconnection. A safe space where relationships are explored, and identities honored with compassion and cultural responsiveness.
I am a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in the state of New Jersey, and a National Certified Counselor (NCC). I hold a master’s degree in Counseling, and I am an active member of both the New Jersey Counseling Association (NJCA) and the American Counseling Association (ACA).
For over 10 years, I have counseled individuals spanning in age from 5 to 65+. My work has brought me into playrooms and classrooms, homes with families, and quiet offices. Working across these settings, I have received training in how to use play and action in counseling for those times when we “can’t put into words” how we feel. I am seeking certification in Psychodrama which I integrate into traditional talk-based therapy.
My approach is centered on the “Here and Now.”
I use Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) to unpack what happens when how we think and what we do doesn’t match up to what we value. As a first-generation Latina counselor and a native Spanish speaker, I help clients navigate bicultural family issues and enjoy working with culturally diverse clients.
More recently, I specialize in counseling young adults who experience anxiety about the difficulties we face as we adjust to new realities: health issues, social media, the work landscape, self-esteem, and relationships. As a trauma-informed counselor, I use this lens to gently take care of my clients when discussing past experiences and how they touch our present lives.