You Belong Here: Support for Latinx Graduate Students

Culturally attuned support to tackle stress, perfectionism, and academic demands.

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Supporting trailblazers in the DC Metro area and 43 states nationwide | Bilingual services available in English and Spanish

Graduate school can be one of the best times of your life.

You’ve finally reached the program you worked so hard for and are excited to get hands-on training in your field. You’re building not just friendships, but also professional connections and, as your portfolio grows, you feel proud of your contributions.

But juggling all of these roles simultaneously can wear out your enthusiasm. In between

  • Coursework, research, teaching, publishing, and conference presentations
  • Competitive grant or fellowship applications
  • Advisor and supervisors’ expectations
  • Funding uncertainties
  • Writer’s block, and
  • The weight of interpersonal missteps

You might feel like every mistake carries high stakes for your future. Even when you are performing well, your inner critic might keep telling you that you are not enough.

For Latinx students, these pressures are often layered with additional, invisible challenges that rarely get recognized. You may be one of few Latinx or immigrant students in your lab or cohort. Faculty who share your background may be scarce.

Unwelcome little thoughts pester you as you compare yourself to others around you:

  • “No pertenezco aquí.”
  •  “They admitted me to fill a quota.”
  • “Everyone else understands this faster.”

On top of that, when issues like microaggressions, dismissive comments, and stereotyping arise, you end up questioning whether you are being “too sensitive.” And if you were raised to practice humility and respeto, you may be unprepared for things like:

  • Advocating for yourself
  • Negotiating funding or authorship
  • Saying no to authority

You might be used to doing things on your own as one of the trailblazers in your family, but you don’t need to go through graduate school alone. 

What We Work On

I work with students at all stages of their training, assisting them in adjusting to a new city, the demands of their multiple roles, advocating for themselves in hierarchical spaces, and finding ways to tackle writer’s block. Our work together is culturally grounded, collaborative, and practical. Together, we:

  • Challenge the “I don’t belong” narrative
  • Separate your worth from performance metrics
  • Build assertiveness skills that align with your values
  • Reduce perfectionism while maintaining excellence
  • Develop sustainable self-care and work routines
  • Protect your personal time
  • Rebuild your connection to hobbies, relationships, and community without guilt
How I Use CBT in Therapy

You're in the right place if you're navigating...

  • Bicultural identity and code-switching in institutional spaces.
  • Guilt about neglecting family obligations while focusing on your career
  • Isolation in a new city
  • Feeling like an outsider in professional settings 
  • Overwhelm with managing your time
  • Severe procrastination and writer’s block
  • Difficulty advocating for yourself at work

With the right support, you can thrive in graduate school and beyond. 

Why Work With Me

Work with me if you are looking for practical tools to challenge unhelpful thought patterns, and activate behaviors that are consistent with your values. 

I offer guided support using evidence-based approaches, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Mindfulness, and Schema Therapy. I lean on these methods because they are accessible, adaptable to your pace, and designed to give you tools you can carry forward to stay on track independently.

Before becoming a licensed psychologist, I was first a graduate student (surprise!). I navigated challenges in academia as an immigrant and as a cultural and linguistic minority, and I have benefited from the guidance of BIPOC elders and friends who continue to walk on this path. I hope to share these perspectives with you so we can explore what might work best in your context.

I may be a particularly good fit if you’re looking for support from someone who truly understands your cultural context and speaks your language. You won’t need to spend sessions explaining what it’s like to carry two cultures. Allí ya he estado. 

Remote Services Nationwide

I offer telehealth appointments only.

I am authorized to provide psychotherapy to clients across all PSYPACT states*, allowing for flexible, remote sessions that fit your schedule.

For clients working or residing in Washington DC, Maryland, or Virginia, I am an in-network provider with Aetna. I will work with you to verify your benefits and process claims on your behalf.

For clients residing in all other states, I offer out-of-network services and provide Superbills for insurance reimbursement.

My fees are structured as follows:

  • $240 for the 60 minute intake
  • $230 for 55-60 minute sessions
  • $210 for 40-45 minute sessions

I accept all major credit cards as well as HSA/FSA debit cards.

Learn more about working with out-of-network benefits

*PSYPACT states include Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin and Wyoming.

Reach your Potential Without Losing Yourself

You don’t have to choose between your raíces and succeeding in academia. If you are feeling overwhelmed or isolated and are ready for a change, please reach out.

Let’s connect and build a sustainable strategy to stay productive without losing yourself.

To get started, schedule a free 15-minute consultation to see if I’m the right fit for you.

Let's Begin

Call: 240 200 0842
Email: hello@potomaccbt.com