education and experience
I earned my Bachelor of Arts degree with a dual major in Criminology and Spanish from the University of New Mexico in 2017. Along with that degree, I earned a designation in international honors after completing a year abroad at the Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico. I have my Master of Arts degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from New Mexico Highlands University. My focus throughout my Master of Arts degree has been children, adolescents, and families.
I have experience in various fields since the beginning of my professional life, most of it has included children and families. Some of it includes being a mentor for a community center, and for Rio Grande High School through the ENLACE program. As a mentor, I aided students with their academic, career, and social/emotional problems. I worked as a Behavior Technician for Autistic children and adolescents, where I provided behavior analysis and data-based therapy in one-on-one sessions with children from ages 2 to 18. This allowed me to work closely with their families. I have conducted research through my experience in working with the Counseling Department at NMHU. I am trained in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing as well. I am currently a program coordinator for the El Puente de Encuentros fellowship, where topics like cultural competence issues, and planning strategies to help diverse communities within New Mexico are discussed. I am also currently part of the UNM Developmental Disabilities Department’s LEND program, that works on discussing how we can provide culturally competent services with those with disabilities. These experiences, in addition to my education, have allowed me to gather a plethora of skills and strategies for working with the youth and their families.
why i am a counselor
I am a counselor because I want to give back to my community a service that was previously provided to me. I want to encourage clients’ personal growth, promote self-discovery, and aid them in obtaining the skills needed to manage anything in their life. I am a counselor because I want to advocate and strengthen others through therapy. I want to fight for the mental health well-being of everybody, especially those who are under-represented. I am a counselor because I want to contribute to the field of mental health in a positive way.
My goals are to be an open and flexible counselor who can adapt to a client’s need and their culture. My goal is for clients to reflect and find the techniques that work for them. Lastly, another goal of mine is to continue growing and learning every day throughout my career as a counselor.