We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Sandra ALVARADO-RAYMOND. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Sandra below.
Sandra, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Was there a defining moment in your professional career? A moment that changed the trajectory of your career?
I have had many defining moments, but my counseling career has grounded me to define life internally. My role in assisting and guiding people to deal with their everyday mental health, distress, and emotional well-being has a tremendously rewarding impact. My defining moment was learning that you have to be connected in this field and that being vulnerable is an ingredient to start healing trauma. I experienced it personally, which today makes me better connected to my clients. In the past year and a half, I experienced betrayal, and my experience has defined me as a counselor to understand my client’s distress and trauma better and empathize with depressed clients. The defining moment of the feeling that I felt has allowed me to be a professional healer guidance because now I know precisely the profoundness of humanity’s struggles and life situations. I believe that a defining moment is just experiencing life in the most authentic self and being okay with accepting your journey. I do not need to disclose this to my clients, but my being will transmit therapy in empathy and a space of acceptance. I have embraced my defining moment, and it has allowed me to know myself as a woman and enhance the therapist
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
Since 2012, I have been a Mental Health Counselor in the State of Florida; I worked in a local substance abuse agency, collaborated with Mami Juvenile Court, and conducted home visits and family therapy. Through my work and with intent, I have and continue to impact the lives of many of my community members. Before I attended Trinity International University, where I received my master’s in art degree in Counseling Psychology, and before I began my career as a therapist, I was an Immigration Paralegal. During that time, I performed immigration community outreach services. I also worked for a non-profit organization and in private practices in South Florida, providing legal support to those with minimal resources. These experiences cemented in me what my purpose in life is, which is to help others. I have run a virtual private practice called Palante-Moving Forward Therapy& Coaching LLC for the past two years. I work with clients with life changes, depression, anxiety, family conflict, adjustment disorder, and women’s issues. I conduct psycho-educational groups and provide corporate mental health training workshops.
During my spare time, I continue to support others. For the past 25 years, I’ve participated in immigrant and citizenship drives and have helped the elderly with social services issues. My professional and personal approach is humanistic and empathetic. I use my positive outlook to encourage others to find hope and improve their quality of life. My most significant source of inspiration is my son Dalvyn and my family. I think the most important way to brand myself and my work is not to display schooling and knowledge but who is the person that will be with you in your most vulnerable space as your therapist. The reader needs to know me because this field concerns human connection and therapeutic rapport. After all, that is where it all begins.
Any advice for growing your clientele? What’s been most effective for you?
The most important way to grow your clientele in this field is to be genuine and respectful to your clients. That is important because you must connect integratively and provide your client’s safe space. Clients will recommend you because when they feel respected and connected, they will refer you to a friend or a family member. In addition, I am a provider for the online Headway and Grow Mental healthcare system, which generates referrals. I am registered to EAP (Employee Assistance Program), where I conduct individual EAP counseling sessions and Mental Health workshops for the company’s clients. I also participate in my city’s functions to expose myself and volunteer for different things in the community. I send status mental health positive reaffirmation on my Facebook group page, and I am working towards having an active presence on social media.
Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?
We, humans, can be resilient, and I can attest to my resiliency in my life journey. I divorced when my son was seven years old and was financially challenged. I had no money and a part-time job, and my car was repossessed. I had no child support, and everything was caved in for me, but I found ways to escape the cave. I did not let the circumstances define us, and I found ways to generate more income; as a New Yorker and my family instilled strong family values. I became a hustler. I worked as a telephonic medical translator, went back to college, and got my paralegal associate, where I worked for different small law practices and juggled to be the best supportive single mother. My mother was a great support, and I was able to do all those things to provide my son the best. I managed my time to have a system where he was not deprived of his childhood experiences. Finally, I realized in the legal field that I am a helper and went back to school again, where I completed my Master’s in Counseling Psychology. The ingredient to my resiliency in this journey was that I never saw myself as a victim or pitied that I was a single mother because I believe in making the best of my circumstances.
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