We were lucky to catch up with Kristin Coronado recently and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Kristin , thanks for joining us today. Was there a moment in your career that meaningfully altered your trajectory? If so, we’d love to hear the backstory.
I made the choice to purse a career in mental healthcare when I was 18. My undergraduate career was twice as long as the average student so when graduate school came I felt mentally exhausted. I took a break and began a career in marketing. I created content, wrote a book, got to work with a huge media company and while some viewed my redirection as failure it was truly a pivotal moment for my personal growth. I’m a creative at heart. I love art, content creation, fashion, every aspect of marketing that tells a story. But what I’ve learned is the importance of timing not a timeline. So many doors open when you follow your purpose. When you get back in a space that offers your gifts to others. Being apart of dismantling the negative connotations that are tied to mental health is something I’m passionate about. Changing the language. Making therapy more accessible and acceptable, especially in the minority community, is my calling. I don’t regret taking a break. I think taking the time to take a step back and reflect on choices you’ve made as a young adult, and seeing if they still align with where you want to go is critical . This is your life and we all have such incredible gifts to offer the world when it comes to working for the greater good of humanity.
Kristin , love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
I’m a first generation Latina. I currently work in a private practice that services clients from various backgrounds and ethnicities. Many clients I see are new to therapy and generally have had a recent traumatic experience. I’m passionate about listening and truly hearing what people have to say. That’s what sets me apart. Therapy can be difficult to navigate if you’re new to it. I pride myself on providing the best education possible to new patients. Explaining the healing process and often looking at the greater picture to ensure they receive the best care.“Are they comfortable?”. “Are we a good fit or can I refer them to someone more aligned with their needs.”. There’s so many factors to take into consideration when choosing someone to share intimate parts of your life with. It’s my promise to treat every encounter with the upmost respect, integrity, and honor. It’s a privilege to be a listening ear and I work each session to treat it as such.
Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?
I went though majority of my life undiagnosed with ADHD. My educational journey is quite different from some of my peers. I spent some time on academic probation, I’ve dropped courses when the teaching styles didn’t work for my very unique learning style. It was difficult. I’ve been told “no” a lot. A word I eventually used to fuel the fire, but the journey has not been easy. My advice is to take time to learn yourself. What are your weaknesses and how can you use them to your advantage? I wish I would have started therapy sooner. So many parts of life are easier to navigate knowing that I’m not any less intelligent than my peers, I just learn and process differently. If you feel like there’s areas of your life that need work or you’ve avoided certain areas of your life because you fear what the future will hold, stop overthinking and use your resources. Askfor help! I used to have so much pride. It took years of inner work to overcome that and be vulnerable. It takes courage and strength to seek the help you need but it’s worth it.
Other than training/knowledge, what do you think is most helpful for succeeding in your field?
Continuously expanding your view of the world is essential in being successful in this field. I’ve taken courses on Disabilities, Women’s Studies, Cultural Studies, and I actively read research. Do I know everything? Absolutely not, but educating yourself on different life frameworks is what makes you a well rounded clinician. How can you help someone from various intersectionalities / positionalities if you fail to understand that everyone experiences life differently. I’m incredibly conscious of my language and the way I speak to others. I want people to feel a safe / strong space.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.amazon.com/Failure-Fearless-Kristin-Coronado/dp/B084DHDTRH
- Other: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/failure-or-fearless-berlin-c-coronado/1136493727