I’m a sensitive person. Growing up in a traditional Mexican household as the eldest and only daughter, sensitivity was often seen as a burden – especially for someone expected to be strong and unconditionally giving. But as I’ve gotten older and have come to better understand myself, navigate my own intersectionality, and set healthy boundaries, I’ve come to see my sensitivity as one of my greatest strengths.

My sensitivity allows me to deeply connect with the complexity of the human experience. I feel honored to have witnessed the pain, joy, and resilience of others—family, friends, and those who have invited me into their lives. These connections have shaped how I move through the world and how I approach my therapeutic work.

I resonate deeply with existential psychiatrist Irvin Yalom’s metaphor of the “fellow traveler” to describe the therapeutic relationship. I see myself walking alongside my clients on their life journeys – meeting them where they are, as fellow humans and companions. When we encounter challenges, I offer support, skills, and psychological knowledge. My clients bring their own wisdom, and together we co-create a path toward healing.

I believe that healing ourselves can lead to hope and flourishing not only at the individual level, but across entire communities. I saw this firsthand during my undergraduate work supporting a community-led intervention that used mindfulness and self-compassion to help parents navigate daily stress and promote emotional health for themselves and their children.

Through conversations with promotoras (community members trained to lead these workshops) and participants, I heard stories of inner transformation – people forgiving themselves and their families, rediscovering hope, and imagining brighter futures for their children. Many felt newly empowered to engage civically and work toward meaningful change in our communities. It was incredible to witness how inner healing can ripple outward – impacting families and entire communities.

I truly believe psychology and our inner work holds the potential to foster a more just and equitable world. By supporting our own healing, we plant seeds of change that can grow far beyond the self.