First-gen. Cycle Breaker. Mental Health Advocate.
But before all that, I was a niña navigating in a world that didn’t understand mental health
Hola, I’m Itzel
Soy una first-generation Mexican-American and a graduate student in counseling psychology. I have a concentration in trauma and would like to specialize in children, adolescents, and families. I plan to pursue my doctorate in clinical psychology and continue my mission of providing culturally competent mental health care
Being first-generation means being the blueprint. It’s beautiful, but it’s heavy. It means translating at appointments at 8 years old, navigating college, finances, and mental health sin guía. It means feeling the pressure to succeed and make our parent’s sacrifices and carrying the guilt of wanting more than just survival. It means straddling two worlds—our culture and our healing.
Growing up, I saw firsthand the lack of understanding and resources for mental health in our Latinx community. I was the first to go to therapy at the young age of ten years old. Instead of support, I received criticism and rejection, I was labeled “loca”.
My pain became fuel for my passion to debunk these stigmas. Now I advocate for mental health awareness among our community. As a mother of two small children, I am committed to breaking generational cycles and moving away from obedience as discipline and emotional repression.
Healing generational trauma isn’t just about what we stop doing—it’s about what we start doing. I want my kids (and all of us) to grow up knowing that their feelings matter, que el amor no se condiciona, and that healing is a strength, not a weakness.
behind the healing…little cosas about me
Favorite music? 🎶
Most of the time it will be Bad Bunny or reggeton pero if I am in my feels it’s T-Swiftie or Fletcher
Coffee order ☕
White mocha shaken espresso,non fat milk & vanilla sweet cold foam
Pets 🐈
Proud cat mom to Simba (el travieso) & Milo (the chill king)
Favorite holiday 🎄
Navidad!Something about twinkly lights, tamales, fuzzy socks and the nostalgia that fills my soul
tattoos 🪷
I have four, one for each of my babies, a lotus flower with a semi colon & a marching tattoo of a star, earth, moon & sun.
Favorite Color 🩷
Pastels, mainly pink & blue
random fact ✨
I have a soft spot for cutesy trinkets that I probably won’t use…pero they make my inner niña smile.
Currently reading
For Brown Girls with Sharp Edges and Tender Hearts by Prisca Dorcas MO