Education

University of Florida Mental Health Counseling- In Progress

Why did you become a therapist?

  I’m struggling to pinpoint the exact moment I realized I wanted to be a therapist, it feels more of a culmination of events. I was always deemed the ‘sensitive one’ in my family, which often left me feeling misunderstood or dramatic. Growing up I began to recognize the strength in this ‘flaw’ and found myself drawn towards the helping profession. It wasn’t that I was “too sensitive,” it was that I cared and I wasn’t ashamed to show that care. While my personality drew me to the profession, what has made me feel purposeful within it is the need for counselors that look like me in it. Representation matters in every field, and I’d argue it is even more true in the counseling field. Being Latina and a 2nd-generation immigrant are important parts of my identity. There are so many wonderful parts of our community that I cherish, but I also know that sometimes the larger conversation about counseling in our culture can carry heavy stigma. For me, being a Latina counselor is advocacy work that allows me to help create positive narratives about counseling care within our community. Ultimately, I want to be able to give back to a community that has given so much to me.

What can a client expect to experience in session with you?

If I were to boil my approach down to 3 words, they would be: curiosity, authenticity, and warmth. If I were to then rehydrate these words I’d say: I am who I am and unfortunately cannot put on a mask. Part of my authenticity, aside from my love of a quick joke or stray tear, is my curiosity. I love to learn about people and their lives, so expect me to ask questions. These questions help me understand you and the situation. That said, “no” is always an acceptable answer. This curiosity enables me to be open to differing experiences and perspectives, all in service of understanding your world. Taken together, I hope to create a space where you feel comfortable to share and be authentically you.

If you could be the therapist to one celebrity, who would it be?

Eep! I’m not the most knowledgeable on celebrities, but I do know some reality stars I would love to work with. Top of mind is Bekah Martinez from the Bachelor. I love the transparency she offers and how she leans into her imperfections. I think it would be a cool experience to work with her and incorporate her personality into the counseling sessions. My second choice would be Bad Bunny, for the culture and his artistry.

How do you spend your free time?

How I spend my free time is honestly dependent on how charged my social battery is. If I’m feeling rowdy and ready, I love thrifting and antiquing with my friends or playing roller derby (or at least attempting to). If the vibe leans more towards solo time antics, I’ll usually spend it cleaning while dancing around my apartment or doing a puzzle. I also have two dogs that would probably like a shout out, so shout out to Keegan and Koda. If you notice little hairs on my cardigan during sessions you can thank them.

What’s your favorite quirk about yourself?

I lowkey believe in astrology, not necessarily the daily horoscope stuff, but definitely in the different planets and their meanings. Astrology feels like another personality inventory, but one that is determined outside of personal choice. I think this takes away the influence of what we think we should be doing, or what we aspire to be doing, making it feel more neutral. Even if astrology isn’t real, I think it provides information to reflect on and get to know ourselves better. Feel free to tell me your big 3 in our next session (only if you want to)!

What does social justice mean to you?

Social justice is about expanding opportunity and community through active engagement. It’s approaching the world around us critically and promoting the wellbeing of everyone- especially those who come from marginalized backgrounds. It’s using my voice and my privilege to advocate for those who feel that they can’t. And in the counseling space it means viewing you holistically, connecting you to resources, and creating a space where you feel valued.

How do you believe change happens?

I think change is a process. One that often begins with greater understanding of the current situation, what led you there, and where you want to go. Once we make these realizations, action can be taken to get us to a place of change or acceptance. This process requires a lot of reflection and honesty from ourselves- are we changing for ourselves or because we feel like we need to, and does that matter? Change should also entail self-compassion and patience because it’s a hard process that is often non-linear and requires us to move out of what we know.