Girasol Counseling is a Group Practice located in Tacoma, Hilltop. We are children of immigrants, Latinx, women, and queer-owned small business.
Girasol is nourished by the belief that everyone has the inner capacity for healing ignited through self-discovery and community. Our role as therapists is to facilitate healing and support your journey in homecoming to your essential self and your tribe/ community of trust/Sagna. In therapy, we use a holistic approach that includes EMDR, Relational Therapy, Somatic Therapy, Nutritional Mental Health Education, Trauma Focused CBT, Trauma Focused Narrative Therapy, and Mindfulness. We invite you to bring your authentic self, your strengths, story, traditions, and spirituality to be part of your healing journey.
Claudia Janeth Linares
(she/her/ella)
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
Cynthia Silva
(she/her/ella)
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
Timeline
2018
Co-founded C.O.M.I.D.A. (Comunidad Orgullosa Más Ideal De Las Americas): a Central American healing and empowerment youth program rooted in connection through traditional foods.
2021
Founded Girasol Counseling, PLLC a decolonial approach to healing for individuals, families, and communities.
2024
Girasol Counseling, PLLC become a Group practice.