Clinical Autobiography

I recently came across a reflective question: "¿Y dónde está tu ombligo?" which literally translates to 'And where is your navel?' but it urged me to dig deeper, asking, "Where is your center?" If I trace my roots, I am a Maquilishuat seed, a small piece broken off of one of El Salvador’s national trees and transplanted to Los Angeles, California. I am the daughter of two Salvadoran immigrants who still long for home and the product of refugees who carry the weight of both fear and hope from generations past. Raised to be “strong”—perhaps a little too strong, as my mother would say—I am a first-generation Latina on the path to becoming a psychologist. My journey has been about finding the depth of my center, my ombligo, and aligning it with my passion for social justice and mental health activism.

As an LMFT, my experiential learning has deepened my appreciation for the role of psychological assessment and clinical data in shaping diagnoses, treatment, and policy. This journey has taught me that addressing the needs of historically marginalized communities goes beyond individual support; it involves recognizing that families thrive when their communities thrive. Despite progress, the disparities in mental health care remain, and they demand a more collaborative, systemic response.

My work is about healing individuals and advocating for the larger structures that allow our communities to flourish. Having witnessed firsthand the significant barriers my mother faced in accessing culturally competent mental health care, including a baffling fifteen-year search to find a Spanish-speaking psychologist, I am deeply committed to breaking this cycle. I aspire to be a catalyst for change, helping to bridge the gap in mental health services for the BIPOC communities.

My therapeutic framework is built on providing high-quality, emotionally centered treatment with respect and compassion. As a woman of color and ally, I am intentional about recognizing the intersections of our various social identities and the diverse circumstances we face daily. My clinical experiences have focused on providing mental health resources to BIPOC and Spanish-speaking individuals.

As I continue to serve BIPOC communities as a mental health practitioner, I strengthen my sense of self and my narrative by allowing my story to remain parallel to that of my clients. We connect in the spaces where the unspoken is understood, where our shared journey pushes beyond coping mechanisms and into a more profound liberatory process. Living with the notion de que ‘soy de aquí, y de allá’— I am from here AND there—I seek to address the trauma passed through our Sangre, challenging the status quo that often fails to meet the needs of my community. Embracing diversity and fostering cultural awareness in my work means honoring my clients' perspectives and refraining from assuming the role of "expert" when collaborating with others.

I look forward to continuing my journey of growth, honing my skills, and maturing my professional identity through ongoing training and learning. I also look forward to seeing how my journey unfolds as I build upon my foundation with each new experience and contribute meaningfully to those around me.