Latisha Gee Torres
About Me
Helping people move beyond pressure, perfectionism, and the belief that their worth is measured by what they do.
Welcome. I'm Latisha Gee Torres—a licensed clinical social worker, educator, somatic practitioner, and founder of Graceful Growth Wellness.
For more than 20 years, my work has centered on helping people understand themselves, navigate emotional challenges, and develop healthier relationships with themselves and others.
Today, I specialize in supporting high-achieving adults, overfunctioners, overperformers, perfectionists, and people who have spent much of their lives being everything to everyone.
You know the ones.
The dependable ones. The responsible ones. The ones who get things done. The ones who show up, figure it out, and somehow manage to keep everything moving, even when they're exhausted.
The people who feel guilty when they rest, anxious when they're not being productive, and uncomfortable when they're not in control.
Maybe that's you.
Through psychotherapy, educational consulting, professional development, mindfulness-based workshops, and wellness experiences, I help people recognize the patterns that keep them overwhelmed, disconnected, and operating in survival mode.
Because being capable doesn't mean you aren't struggling. And being successful doesn't mean you feel well.
An Educator at Heart
My work didn't begin in a therapy office. It began in schools.
I spent more than 20 years working with the New York City Department of Education as a special education teacher, school social worker, and central crisis support social worker. I also served as an adjunct professor at Fordham University Graduate School of Social Service.
Throughout my career in education, I worked alongside students, teachers, administrators, and families navigating academic expectations, learning differences, behavioral challenges, mental health concerns, family stress, and the pressure to succeed.
I became increasingly interested in what happens beneath the surface of achievement and behavior.
The student who appears to have everything together but is terrified of disappointing someone.
The child whose behavior draws attention to everything they're doing wrong while the challenges they're experiencing go unnoticed.
The educator who cares deeply about their students but feels overwhelmed by the expectations and emotional demands of the profession.
The parent who wants the very best for their child but becomes so consumed with worry, planning, and protecting that connection gets lost in the process.
Different experiences, but often a common thread: people trying their best while carrying more than anyone realizes.
Over time, I recognized how often the messages we receive about achievement, responsibility, emotional expression, and success become beliefs we carry into adulthood.
That understanding became a foundation of my clinical work and continues to shape the educational programs and wellness experiences I create today.
From Performing Strength to Living in Peace
So many of us were taught that our worth is tied to how much we give, endure, or carry. We learn to perform strength while hiding our burnout and anxiety.
Healing isn't about working harder. It's about safely dropping the heavy armor, regulating your nervous system, and allowing yourself to be supported.
True healing happens when we engage the mind and the body.
An Integrative, Body-Centered Approach
My practice weaves:
- CBT: Reframe anxious thoughts, boundary guilt, and harsh self-criticism.
- ACT Concepts: Unhook from internal struggle, foster self-trust, and align with your values.
- Somatic & Nervous System Tools: Release stored stress, rewire fight-or-flight responses, and restore lasting physical calm.
Professional Credentials & Licensure
Credentials & Specialities
- Clinical Practice: Licensed Psychotherapist (MSW) in MD, NY, NJ. Specializing in high-functioning anxiety, grief, trauma, depression, and culturally responsive care.
- Neurodivergent Support: MSEd in Special Education focusing on executive function and adaptive care.
- Somatic Expertise: 500-Hour RYT Somatic Educator & Founder, Graceful Growth Wellness.
You Don't Have to Do This Alone Anymore
Let's work together to help you step out of survival mode and into a life of peace, boundaries, and softness.