Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Linda Espinoza. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Linda, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today It’s always helpful to hear about times when someone’s had to take a risk – how did they think through the decision, why did they take the risk, and what ended up happening. We’d love to hear about a risk you’ve taken.

In the beginning of the year, I took a risk and decided to make my full time job as a therapist for a telemedicine company to work part time (about 7 hours a week!) to pursue my own full time private practice. The push to make this long thought out plan was a company restructure that was leaving me burned out and with low pay. At this time I had this idea of job security meaning a stable paycheck but that all went away when I felt that I finally understood that the more I continue to work for a company the more less is about providing quality mental health services but rather about the number of billable minutes, hours, and clients we could see and complete the paperwork. Unfortunately, I have strived to find a job that would prove me wrong but after having experience in community mental health, medical groups, and tech mental health companies it all did come down to ‘billing’ and profit rather than quality and preventative care. This year I finally decided to go full time and made changes that I learned with my prior experience as a part time sole proprietor for the past year on opening up a private practice. I hired my tax preparer to help set up my business as a corporation and his guidance helped ease the business transition. I officially opened my practice , Brightful Therapy the end of February 2023.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Registered Yoga Teacher and I have been working in the field of mental health for 10 years. My connection to the mental health field comes from a deeply personal place — as a first generation female-Latinx born in the USA to Ecuadorian parents and the first person in my family to attend college, I grew up with many of the common challenges that female-Latinx folks face, especially regarding the taboo around mental health which motivated me to get into the mental health field and to continue to be part of it. I earned my Bachelor’s degree in Social Work with a minor in Gerontology and then I also received my Master of Social Work (MSW) degree with specialization on Older Adults and Families.

I have experience in providing psychotherapy to a wide range of people across inpatient, outpatient, and shelter facilities. During my mental health career I went on to specialize in working with folx who have depression, anxiety, post partum depression/anxiety, and trauma.

It’s rewarding to me seeing my clients make positive changes and have cathartic moments. To anyone who’s nervous to begin therapy, I want you to know that “Seeking mental health treatment doesn’t mean you are broken or crazy, but rather that you are a powerful being that needs tools to live the best version of yourself.”

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

I had to let go of the poverty mentality that was ingrained in me throughout graduate school. I had to let go that helping others doesn’t mean low pay wages, high case loads, and high documentation requirements. I went into the field because I want to be able to help others and in order for me to do that I also need to financially be sustainable , be mentally not drained, and not burned out. I had to let go of that idea and actually do what I guide/teach clients (fostering professional boundaries, assertive communication, self care, etc).

Putting training and knowledge aside, what else do you think really matters in terms of succeeding in your field?

My own work which can include my own therapy, clinical consultation, diversifying the work load, continued training, and a ton of self care. As a therapist who works with trauma it is so important to me to have a space to be able to also process what I hear. Sometimes it’s going to my own therapy and in every day using my own mental health tools like intentional movement, mindfulness, spending time with my family, etc.    

Contact Info:

• Website: Www.brightfultherapy.com
• Instagram: @thebrightfultherapist