I absolutely love being a therapist, and my passion extends beyond the therapeutic space. I'm deeply committed to teaching, mentoring, and advocating for mental health, actively working to normalize the idea of seeking therapy. We all encounter struggles, and a little kindness and support can make a profound difference.
On a personal note, I identify as biracial, with both White and Hispanic heritage. My Hispanic background, in particular, significantly influenced my upbringing and my way of navigating the world. I am also aware of and acknowledge my White privilege.
In terms of my values, I am pro-choice. I believe that Therapy is Political and recognize the critical importance of continuous learning and engagement—actively listening, reading, and educating myself—in my ongoing commitment to being an anti-racist advocate.
My career in mental health officially commenced in 2010 while working at a local mental health authority crisis center. This multifaceted role extended to its dynamic mobile community outreach team, providing crucial support directly within the community. This foundational experience was instrumental in cultivating extensive knowledge and practical skills across a broad spectrum of critical areas. I gained deep insights into the symptomology and diagnoses of serious mental illnesses, becoming proficient in conducting thorough crisis and suicide assessments. Furthermore, I developed expertise in addressing issues such as self-harm, psychosis, and delirium, alongside robust training in comprehensive case management strategies to support individuals through their recovery journeys.
In 2014, I entered the realm of private practice. This new chapter allowed me to broaden my scope of work, providing therapeutic services to a diverse clientele, including adolescents, couples navigating relationship challenges, families seeking improved dynamics, and individuals striving for personal growth. Building on this experience and my commitment to fostering a supportive environment for healing, I proudly established my own practice, Empowering You Counseling Services, LLC, in San Antonio, TX, in 2017. This venture marked a significant milestone, allowing me to fully realize my vision for client-centered care. www.empoweringyoucounselingservices.com
My areas of focus are on ADHD, anxiety, shame, and trauma. I approach my work with a deep understanding of trauma-informed care principles, ensuring a sensitive and effective therapeutic environment for those who have experienced trauma. My training includes EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) at both the Basic 1 and 2 levels, a highly effective modality for processing traumatic memories. While my primary theoretical lens is Relational Cultural Theory (RCT), which emphasizes the importance of connection and mutual growth in healing, I also skillfully integrate techniques from various other therapeutic approaches. These include Narrative therapy, which helps clients re-author their life stories; Somatic therapies, which focus on the body's role in processing emotions and trauma; and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), which provides practical strategies for modifying unhelpful thought patterns and behaviors.
During supervision, I wear multiple hats depending on what you need from me in the session—teacher, consultant, supporter. I care about the counseling field and about you growing into the best therapist you can be. I want to help you reach your professional goals while also ensuring you are surpassing your competencies. I aim for supervision to be laid back, supportive, humorous, challenging and to encourage a growth mindset.
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