ABOUT
I earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology with a Minor in Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies from American University in 2011. I obtained a Master’s Degree in Counseling from Northern Arizona University in 2015. I am a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in the state of Colorado, as well as a National Certified Counselor (NCC). I am also a 200 hour Registered Yoga Teacher (RYT) since 2013.
My professional journey began working in several non-profits focused on the intersection between mental health and child welfare. I have extensive training and experience focused on crisis management, trauma work, and helping youth and families with high needs navigate systems.
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Most recently, I am on my academic journey as a second-year doctoral student in the Counseling Education and Supervision (CED) program at the University of North Carolina - Greensboro (UNCG). I am grateful to have access to education that will build my teaching, supervision, and research skills. My research interests include LGBTQ+ affirming care for youth and families, intersectionality and decolonization frameworks, and considerations in counseling education for counselors holding marginalized identities.
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I was born and partially raised in Puerto Rico and have been living state side for the last 20 years. My experiences as a Latina-identified bi-cultural person living in the United States have influenced my passion for working with others that are experiencing acculturation issues, identity development struggles, and the deep wounds of systemic oppression.
I also identity as a proud queer woman and my pronouns are she/her/hers. My personal experiences, the experiences of my community/intentional family, and understanding of the barriers to adequate mental health care for LGBTQ+ folks have fueled my passion to create a little corner of healing to help meet the needs of our community.
Personally, I deeply enjoy spending time with my loving spouse and our two dogs and two cats. Outdoor adventures, the novelty of exploring new places, regular yoga practice, live music, and soaking in hot springs are my medicine. I consider myself a perpetual student and love to continuously learn from the wisdom of my own body and experiences, the journey of others, and lessons from life itself.