"My journey to becoming a therapist included challenges and an educational path that differed from the traditional route. As a first-generation Mexican American raised by immigrant parents, I had limited guidance but a great deal of support and encouragement throughout my educational journey.
Becoming a parent at a young age added responsibilities and challenges to that journey. Although my education included delays and obstacles, I remained determined to create a different future for myself and my family. These experiences taught me perseverance, strengthened my appreciation for the sacrifices my parents made, and shaped the compassion I bring to people navigating their own obstacles.
In 2015, I earned my Bachelor of Arts in Social Work from Concordia University Chicago, graduating magna cum laude. During a social work internship with the Department of Veterans Affairs, I supported veterans receiving outpatient treatment for substance use and co-occurring mental health disorders. I also gained experience working with people experiencing homelessness, survivors of sexual abuse, and youth living in a residential setting while involved with the child welfare system.
Working with people from different backgrounds strengthened my understanding of how trauma, instability, culture, relationships, and access to support can influence emotional well-being. These experiences also helped me realize that I wanted to become a therapist. I wanted to provide people with a consistent space where they could process their experiences, recognize their strengths, and work toward meaningful change.
I returned to school to further my clinical education and earned my Master of Social Work from Dominican University in 2023, graduating summa cum laude. Later that year, I became a Licensed Social Worker in Illinois and transitioned into private-practice therapy.
Today, my approach is shaped by my clinical education, professional experience, cultural identity, and personal understanding of perseverance during uncertain circumstances. I know that people are more than the obstacles they have faced, and I believe that being genuinely heard and supported can help someone recognize their own strength. It is a privilege to walk alongside clients as they rebuild confidence, strengthen relationships, develop healthier coping skills, and create meaningful changes in their lives."
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