Founder, Owner of Girasol Counseling 

I am a daughter of immigrants; a daughter of the diaspora; a wounded healer; an intellectual, spiritual, and queer Chingon@. These are a few identities that influence how I interact / experience the world around me, and stories attached to them: past and present. In my therapeutic work, I continue to work towards decolonization of both my healing practices and myself.

My parents are El Salvadoran immigrants. They migrated to the U.S. during the El Salvadoran civil war and made their new home in "El Centro" of Los Angeles. I was fortunate enough to be born and raised here with a large Central American community. My formation there naturally led me to healing work for myself, family, and community.

My healing work is inherited; I come from a lineage of people seeking healing. Professionally, I started healing work with young people as a case manager, advocate, and mental health counselor in 2016. 

Education: 

• Bachelor in Psychology and minor in Law, Societies, and Justice from the University of Washington, Seattle (graduate of 2016) 

• Masters in Social Work from the University of Washington, Seattle (graduate of 2020)

Trainings and Certificates: 

• Curanderismo: Traditional Healing Using Plants, University of New Mexico (2022)

• Certificate in Somatic Embodiment and Regulation Strategies, from Collectively Rooted (2022)

• EMDR Therapy training for BIPOC Clinicians with Lisa Hayes from the Institute for Creative Mindfulness (2023)

• Family SoulPages from Northwest Creative and Expressive Arts Institute (2023)

Specialties:

• Historical Trauma, Intergenerational Trauma, Developmental Trauma

• Emotional, Physical, Sexual Abuse & Trauma

• Oppression & Internalized Oppression

• Mother Wound

• Latinx Issues, Immigration, Assimilation, Acculturation, Identity

• Religious and Spiritual Trauma

• Activism Burnout/ Service Provider Burnout

• Familial Stress/ Caring for Family Stress

• Anxiety, Depression, PTSD, Complex Trauma

• Attachment Wound

LSWAIC & Mental Health Therapist 

I am a first-generation Mexican-American, a proud daughter of immigrants, and a wounded healer. My family comes from a lineage of trauma, surviving, and seeking ways to move onward. The few identities listed above, have organically led me into a space of learning and unlearning the depths of generational trauma and family systems and roles. I pride myself in using humility, compassion, and curiosity in sessions. I invite collaboration, vulnerability, and authenticity in the healing space to guide and support you to reach your desired goals. I am committed to decolonizing the work within myself and those I work with. 

I have extensive experience working with immigrants, children of immigrants, adolescents, and young adults.

Education 

• Bachelor of Science in Social Services and a minor in Psychology from Central Washington University (graduate of 2021) 

• Master in Social Work from the University of Denver (graduate of 2023) 

Specialties 

• Domestic violence survivors/ Relational Violence survivors

• Historical/Generational/Intergenerational Trauma

• Immigrant Issues

• Childhood Trauma

• Empowerment/Self Esteem and Confidence

Certifications

• Certificate in Somatic Embodiment and Regulation Strategies, from Collectively Rooted (2024)

LMHCA & Mental Health Therapist 

As a first-generation Mexican-American and proud daughter of immigrants, I bring a rich multicultural perspective to my practice. My unique life experiences fuel my passion for storytelling and allow me to connect deeply with clients from all backgrounds. I believe that everyone's story is essential to the healing process, and I strive to create a space where these narratives can be shared and appreciated.

I am deeply committed to social justice and advocacy, and I believe in providing culturally competent and inclusive care to everyone, regardless of their background. My approach is based on the belief that every person deserves to be heard, validated, and empowered to live their most authentic and fulfilling life. I work collaboratively with my clients, building a strong therapeutic alliance and creating a safe space where they can explore their identities, experiences, and aspirations.

Education 

• Bachelor of Arts, in Psychology from Saint Martin's University - Lacey, Washington  (May 2017)

• Master of Arts in Counseling from Saint Martin's University, Lacey, Washington  (August 2023)

Specialties 

• Domestic violence survivors/ Relational Violence survivors

• Historical/Generational/Intergenerational Trauma

• Immigrant Issues

• Young Adult Life Transitions

• Childhood Trauma

• Empowerment/Self Esteem and Confidence

Certifications 

• National Certified Counselor, National Board for Certified Counselors, 2023

• EMDR Therapy Training (Part 1 & Part 2) by The EMDR Institute, 2024-2025

Mental Health Coach, Masters of Arts in Teaching

I am the embodiment of our plant, animal, and human ancestors.

I am a human being made of water, sun, soil, and air.

I am a living miracle—my wellbeing deeply interconnected with all life that exists.

I am the child of parents who dedicated their lives to serving youth living on the streets of downtown Seattle. I grew up in the South End of Seattle, where I went to school, attended church, played sports, and served my neighborhood. My childhood was shaped by moving between many different worlds—from the countryside with my immigrant grandmother to the white, upper-class suburbs of Washington and Arizona.

This upbringing taught me that life is sacred and worthy of care. It also gave me an early understanding of the intersectionality of identity—including ethnicity, nationality, gender, race, religion, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, age, and ability. I developed a deep curiosity about power, oppression, suffering, healing, wellness, and collective liberation.

This led me to ask:

How can we be healed, well, and collectively liberated—in mind, body, soul, and spirit—within an existence that includes suffering and oppression?

I’ve been exploring that question ever since—through independent study, formal education (earning both a bachelor’s and master’s degree), mentorship, and eight years of mental health therapy. For the past ten years, I’ve worked in schools—as a middle school math assistant, English teacher, and elementary PE teacher. In PE, I created a program that used play to teach social-emotional learning. The importance of these foundational skills became even clearer during the pandemic.

My Core Belief

If we are to be healed, well, and collectively liberated, we must develop essential skills for understanding ourselves and the environments we live in.

What you will get from Mental Health Coaching

Awareness of Self

1. Emotions and thoughts

2. Identity: Knowing your story, developing your principles, defining your success

3. Aligning mind, body, soul, and spirit

Awareness of Environment

1. Interpersonal

2. Communal

3. Systemic

Supporting Skills 

To deepen our understanding and grow in these areas.

• Reflection

• Meditation

• Visualization

My Coaching Philosophy

My coaching begins with building a loving relationship, rooted in:

• Respect

• Responsibility

• Compassion

• Dedication

• Kindness

• Gratitude

• Honesty

• Courage

• Humility

Humility calls us into a learning partnership—where both coach and client are committed to lifelong learning. From this foundation, we can create space for true mentorship: a relationship that both encourages, educates, and supports growth.

Spaces for Skill Development

• Dialogue

• Play

• Reflection

• Meditation

• Visualization

Education

• Bachelor's in Interdisciplinary Social Sciences from the Central Washington University (August 2010)

• Master's in Teaching from Seattle Pacific University (June 2018)