We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Rubí Vásquez. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Rubí below.

Rubí, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. We love heartwarming stories – do you have a heartwarming story from your career to share?

I grew up in a house where I was abused physically and verbally. My biological father left me and my mother when I was 8 years old. My mother was pregnant at that time and I saw her working so hard trying to make ends meet meet. We would wake up so early in the morning so that my mom could get to her job. While my mother was abusive towards me and my brother, she taught me to never give up. I came to the US in 2009 at 19 years old. I knew no English and after two years of adult ESL classes, I was able to join regular college classes and I went into music – my focus was voice performance. As a classical singer I was fascinated by the psychology behind music and the psychological process that goes into performing and making music as well as a the benefits that it brings to people’s mental health. When I obtained my AA degree in music, I made the tough decision of going into psychology. I was not sure how it was going to be like. I thought, if I go into music, that is all I can do and I would not be able to do therapy… But if I go into therapy, I can still be a musician even if it is not full time (due to finances).
It was the best decision for me… I came to this country alone and had no one. I had to make sure I had something to survive and still do something I love.

As a mental health advocate, holding a BA in psychology with a minor in family studies, and a Master’s degree in Marriage and family therapist, I know how beautiful is to help my community especially minorities like me. My goal is to change unhelpful cycles by informing others about mental health and break stigmas that have surrounded Latinos and many other communities for a long time. Also, I like to inform people about how music heals too, how music speaks, and how music can also provide that empathy sometimes we all need.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

If you could go back in time, do you think you would have chosen a different profession or specialty?

I specialize in couples. Of I could go back I would do therapy and specialize in couples all over again. I feel passionate about what I do.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

Going to therapy myself. To embark myself in the inner child journey. To know first how how hard and painful it is to heal, it is another way that I also grow as a therapist.

Contact Info:

• Website: changingcyclescounseling.com
• Instagram: @changingcycles
• Linkedin: Jessica Del Rubi Vasquez

Image Credits
Don Hannah Photography