Specialties → Latinx Professionals

You found your way here without a map. You don't have to navigate what's next alone.

Psychotherapy for Latinx first-gen, immigrant, and international professionals.

Telehealth in the DC Metro area and 43+ states nationwide · Bilingual services in English and Spanish

WHAT BRINGS YOU HERE

You built a path where there wasn't one.

Maybe you were the first in your family to go to college, graduate school, or build a career in a competitive professional environment. You crossed socioeconomic and class barriers that no one in your family had navigated before you.

Along the way, you may have felt guilty for putting your goals first or felt lost in systems that seemed obvious to everyone around you. You may have felt deeply uncomfortable asking for what you deserve.

Being the first brings immense pride to your family. But it also brings a quiet, intense internal pressure that rarely gets named or addressed.

WHEN TWO VALUE SYSTEMS COLLIDE

The myth of sacrifice as strength

Many of the values you were raised with continue to be valid and adaptive; some of them feel like your grandmother’s voice, or the smell of food from home. Familiar… grounding… the kind of comfort that doesn’t need to make sense to feel true.

Like the belief that if you keep your head down and do excellent work, the institution will eventually recognize you. You watched the adults in your life survive that way. But have you ever been in a meeting where someone just shared an opinion that you’ve been writing in reports for two years… and they’re getting the credit. Part of you is furious, and part of you still hears: don’t make noise. Be patient. It will come.

The truth is that U.S. institutional culture expects different things from us:

What you were taught What is expected here

Keep your head down and work harder.

Build visibility, relationships, and allies. Hard work alone is not enough.

Figure it out on your own. Asking for help means you can't handle it.

Ask for clarity and resources. It shows initiative, not weakness.

Don't complain, ask for more, or question authority.

Give feedback and be an active collaborator.

Don't stand out. Don't make others look bad.

Visibility and owning your achievements are expected.

These gaps have roots. Many of us grew up in households with a clear authority structure, where speaking up was not always welcome, and where roles were shaped by gender and obligation more than individual choice. Women were expected to devote themselves to others. Men to provide, endure, and never ask for help. And for those who didn’t fit either script — there was often no script at all.

Questioning any of this can feel like betraying something that was handed to you with love. In therapy, we examine these scripts together: where they came from, what they protected, and how well they serve the life you are building now. We explore what you wish to keep from both worlds, and integrate it into the version of yourself that feels most authentic to you.

WHAT WE WORK ON TOGETHER

A space where all versions of you are welcome.

I provide a space to process these pressures, validate your strengths, and build strategies to succeed without losing yourself. My hope is that with the right support you can honor your identity and navigate competitive, culturally complex environments with confidence.

Some of the issues we tackle together include:

Identity & Belonging

First-gen professional identity Code-switching fatigue Acculturation stress Immigration uncertainty Family expectations vs. your goals Sexual and gender identity in Latinx culture

Achievement & Work

Imposter syndrome Managing comparison and perfectionism Tying self-worth to productivity Clarifying long-term career direction Relationship with money Guilt about success

Workplace & Wellbeing

Microaggressions and bias Emotional labor Feeling unseen or misread Strengthening assertive communication Setting limits with supervisors Burnout

MY APPROACH

Here, structure is an act of care.

Every client brings their own combination of circumstances, identity layers, and history. What many of my clients share is this: they grew up with one set of values and landed in an environment built on a very different one. Nobody handed them a map.

Much of our work begins with naming what’s happening. Why promoting yourself feels like cultural betrayal. Why code-switching takes the toll it does on your sense of identity.

As we make sense of what’s driving the stress, we map out your goals. I work within a CBT framework, structured and goal-oriented. We examine your patterns, and build skills you can apply immediately in performance reviews and leadership conversations. We identify missing support or mentorship and work toward it. And we set concrete goals that create accountability that moves you forward.

SOCIAL PROOF

What fellow clinicians say:

“I frequently refer clients to Dr. Rendón for her clinical expertise and calm, steady presence. She offers evidence-based tools and a truly grounded partnership in healing. She has a gift for making people feel safe and seen. I never hesitate to recommend her.”

Regina Morales, LCSW

NIH Wellness Advisor

“I highly recommend Dr. Rendon for her compassionate, culturally informed, and neuro-affirming care. She is highly skilled in fostering a space that thoughtfully blends clinical expertise with empathetic connection!”

Sonia Castro-Castillo, LPC, ATR

Psychotherapist

“She provides the structure to reach your goals in a compassionate space. Her understanding of cultural diversity enriches the process of change.”

Iris Ysern, LCSW-C

Psychotherapist

LOGISTICS

Fees

INITIAL INTAKE

$350

90 minutes

INDIVIDUAL SESSION

$250

60 minutes

INDIVIDUAL SESSION

$230

45 minutes

My practice is primarily fee-for-service and fully telehealth. A limited number of spots are available for clients using insurance. All major credit cards and HSA/FSA cards are accepted.

Full fee information and out-of-network guidance →

FAQ

Common questions

What is CBT and how is it different from other types of therapy?

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is a structured, evidence-based approach that focuses on the relationship between your thoughts, behaviors, and how you feel. Rather than exploring the past indefinitely, we identify patterns that are keeping you stuck and build concrete strategies to shift them. Sessions have direction. Progress is measurable. If you are someone who wants to understand the mechanism of what we are doing — not just experience it — CBT is likely a good fit.

What does a typical session look like?

We start each session with a brief check-in and review of where we left off, so there is always continuity from one session to the next. From there, we work on what is most pressing based on your treatment plan — we might process something that has been emotionally impactful, or work on a specific skill to move your goals forward. Sessions end with written takeaways, and when applicable, a concrete way to apply what we discussed before we meet again. You will never leave a session wondering what just happened or what comes next.

How long does therapy typically last?

It depends on what you are working on. Some people come with a specific, contained concern and feel ready to stop after a few months. Others are working on longer-standing patterns and find value in continuing beyond that. I don’t keep people in therapy longer than is useful, and we revisit your goals regularly so you always know where we are and what we are working toward.

Can we do sessions in Spanish?

Yes. I offer sessions in English, Spanish, or Spanglish. Certain topics surface more easily in one language. No pressure to choose one and stick to it.

Do I have to be Latinx to work with you?

Not at all. If the pressures described on this page resonate, including first-gen identity, high-achievement culture, you are welcome here regardless of background.

I'm established in my career, not early-stage. Is this still relevant?

Very much so. First-gen and immigrant pressures don’t resolve with seniority, they shift. Senior professionals often carry the weight of being a visible representative of their community, managing others while quietly managing their own burnout, and questioning what success actually means now that they’ve reached it.

Take The Next Step

You don’t have to carry all of this alone. Therapy can help you succeed in your career while honoring your Latinx identity, supporting your strengths, and sustaining your emotional well being.

Questions first? hello@potomaccbt.com – 240 200 0842