I became a therapist because I do not like mathematics, and becoming a lawyer meant I had to deal with corrupt systems. But seriously, I became a therapist because I love being an agent of change and truly want to help individuals reach the best version of themselves.  I also have a deep desire to improve the systems that serve them as well. I have faced various obstacles in life, which have allowed me to grow as a person and have given me a person-centered perspective.

I have always felt this calling to help others. Growing up in Mexico, I witnessed a lot of corruption. This observation led to a deeper understanding that corruption exists in all shapes and forms across the world and not just in Mexico. It has no bounds.  This awareness drove me to ask myself: “How can I help?” From an early age, my grandpa, one of the most influential people in my life, instilled the idea in me to rise in the face of fears and adversities. I realized early on that if I exist on this planet and can help it, why not try and make the world a bit better? It just made sense that this was something worthwhile to do. From these foundations and essential life events, it’s been a steady progression toward stepping into the ultimate mission of making the world a better place.

Integrity is very important to me. And I think people are yearning for this more and more. It’s hard to find trustworthy individuals with a strong moral standing who act consistently from a code of ethics. Like most people, I’ve experienced betrayal and deceit. This is, by far, some of the most painful experiences anyone can go through. There is a sense of duty that when someone comes to me for support, I must uphold the highest level of respect for them. So, I strive to stay congruent with being honest, courageous, humble, and compassionate.

I have worked with various populations ranging from the most vulnerable individuals who face chronic homelessness and severe mental health challenges to those who work in the tech industry and hold executive positions in various industries.

I also bring years of facilitating psychotherapy groups. Furthermore, a unique set of skills that sets me apart from other providers is that I hold a degree in psychology, anthropology, and sociology. I have also been a field instructor for graduate-level university social work students, which allowed me to train future healthcare providers for about 3 years. I also have experience facilitating community workshops for NAMI and Stanford University.

I am also bicultural and bilingual in Spanish and English and can provide service in both languages. Throughout my time at Santa Clara County and in the non-profit world, there have been times when I was the only bilingual professional in certain units I belonged to. My teams relied on my bicultural skills to provide a culturally competent service to those who needed it the most. I am still associated with the president of NAMI in Español, as I have collaborated with him to bring community workshops to the Latino community in Santa Clara County and helped them navigate the mental healthcare system.  I still use my bilingual skills at Momentum Crisis Stabilization Unit to this day. My multicultural approach, due to my background in cultural anthropology, allows me to facilitate change collaboratively with individuals from different cultures and backgrounds.

The more I learn, the more I realize that mastery is limitless. I am an avid learner that deeply embodies a growth mindset. I believe it is my responsibility to be the best I can be because I have accepted and understand that I am a part of a larger whole.  To achieve this, I hold myself accountable for refining my skills. I attend regular professional development workshops, seminars, and conferences, where I gain insights into cutting-edge research, therapeutic techniques, and emerging theories. Of course, my colleagues and I participate in case consultations to learn from one another and address blind spots.

I’m excited to see the growing focus on prevention. In the past, mental health care was often focused on treating existing problems rather than addressing risk factors for mental health before they get out of hand. This emerging approach will help many people take charge of their wellness and provide a better sense of control. At Optimind, I plan to continue to lead these efforts as well with the team by developing programs, facilitating workshops, and doing outreach to educate on a massive scale.

In all the years I have worked in mental health, the best part is hearing this: ‘’Yes, I have gone through that as well.’’ ‘’I know what you mean; that happened to me to.’’ The shared knowledge and experience of knowing you are not alone can be extremely healing and comforting. I cannot wait to be a part of your wellness journey. Are you ready to embark on this adventure together?

My approach when working with clients is that of a lens of hope. Hope is a component of our lives that allows us to keep fighting the battles that seem lost. Even if you have lost some of your hope, my collaborative approach when working with clients will allow us to find it and make a plan that will allow us to thrive. I also will take you as you are because I am not here to judge you but to help you overcome challenges or simply help you maintain a healthy lifestyle. My background in cultural anthropology allows me to work also with individuals from different backgrounds in a compassionate, humane, and culturally competent fashion.

In my free time, I love spending time with my family and friends. I love going to the gym, hiking, and walking my dog, and even though I do not have a lot of time to play video games; I love ‘‘Resident Evil,’’ ‘‘Crash Bandicoot,’’ etc. I love going to the movies and discovering new restaurants in different towns. I am not sure I could survive a day without Starbucks. I also love anime, with ‘‘Dragon Ball’’ and ‘‘Dragon Quest’’ being my favorite.  And if you tell me that you watch, ‘‘The Blacklist’’ or if you are a Sonic the Hedgehog fan, our conversation might be longer than I would like to admit.