Today we’d like to introduce you to Ana Marcela Rodriguez.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Ana Marcela. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I was born and raised in Monterrey, a northern city in Mexico. Always surrounded by my immediate family and extended family, I´m the eldest of five siblings and a lot of cousins. I would say I had a very happy and fortunate childhood. However, the stability that I experienced in my younger years was abruptly interrupted by the sudden announcement of my parent´s divorce when I was 13. At 13, life as I knew it- changed and it changed for the worst. Not only I was navigating my teenage years (hormones and whatnot), but also dealing with not having my parents together anymore. Around that same time, my beloved grandmother unexpectedly passed away,
Because chaos was our new normal, my dad decided to take my siblings and me to therapy. That was my first encounter with a therapist. I can´t remember what I talked during the months I went to counseling. I do remember my therapist´s warmth, caring, loving attention and feelings towards me. I remember feeling validated. I knew since I was 13, sitting in the greenish velvet sofa at my therapist´s office- that I wanted to be like her.
I have been fortunate to have clarity on what to study. I pursued a bachelor´s degree in Psychology and specialization on Childhood and Adolescent development from the Universidad de Monterrey in Mexico, one of the top universities in Mexico. There, I graduated with Cum Laden Honors and was awarded an excellent thesis. I interned in a center providing counseling services. I loved it. I was doing what I loved.
Life works at a different pace than we do. I had to say goodbye to my dream for a while. My husband and I moved to Madrid for a couple of years, had a beautiful baby boy (who is nine already). Afterwards, moved to Atlanta, Georgia for another year or so. Finally, we moved to the DFW area. I wanted to continue my counseling career. I wanted to continue to do therapy. I had to wait yet again. By then, I realized that if I wanted to practice in the US, the road wasn’t going to be easy (or cheap). I learned that I had to study a masters degree, do internship hours, get a license, and so on. I had another baby, my adorable daughter (who is now six). When she was born, I got an urge to pursue my dreams. I´m not sure if it was the right timing. I don´t even know if the “right timing” even exist. I did know that I´m a hardworking, persistent, dedicated woman and that I was going to fulfill that dream.
I enrolled to study the Masters in Counseling from Southern Methodist University. I was terrified yet excited. My daughter was only two months, my husband was struggling in his job, things were tight and I was attempting this presumptions thing of being a full-time student. Adding to those stressors I was getting on my own way, I was going to pursue a masters degree on a top university in a language that is not my native one. First, I thought they might not even accept me. I said to myself- when they listen to my heavy Spanish accent they will laugh and ask me to leave the program. That never happened. Instead, my accent made me different. I embrace my heavy Spanish accent.
It wasn’t easy, every 10 weeks I told my husband I think this is it- I´ll quit. I was also working as a Spanish tutor, I had two young children. I was joggling so much. A LOT of sleepless nights. But I stayed and I persisted. I also cried a lot. By the end of my internship, I was wondering what was going to be the next chapter in my life. I wanted something easy going, a safe transition- after so much hard work.
Nothing of that happened. I ventured into opening my own practice: Therapy Works Counseling Services. I had a dream of helping my community. People like me- with heavy Spanish accents that come to America to chase a dream. I was afraid. I was afraid of failing, of people not coming to therapy, of not being as good as I was in Mexico. I was wrong. I´m so happy that I was wrong. I have learned so much from my Hispanic community and I’m so grateful for the opportunity to help them through my work.
At first, I thought I was only going to provide counseling services. However, I had the opportunity to give a conference and life surprised me. I have always loved public speaking, TV, Radio, and everything that has to do with the media. I never knew how I could combine those two things together until I was on stage talking about one of my expertise themes surrounded by attentive people.
Fast forward, today, I not only do individual, couples, family and group counseling; I also do workshops, conferences, go to the radio once a month, and talks in front of hundreds of people.
For me, being on stage talking about what I know, empowering people, giving them hope, is a pleasure a responsibility and an honor. I can truly feel the magic happening.
So, I can say I´m living my dream. I did not get here the way and at the time I envision. I took detours, stops, recharge, delays, move again. Yet, I´m here.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc. – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
I have had many challenges along the way.
I´m the first generation that goes to college and has a masters degree. My parents always believed in me- that has always made the difference. Even though my mom does not work and my grandmothers didn’t even know how to drive. All of my family had a big expectation on me. I thank them for setting the bar high.
It was frightening to study masters in another language in another country far away from my support system. I spend countless hours writing my papers and so many more reading — it took me double or triple the time than my American colleagues. Yet, I was not alone. I had wonderful friends that helped me with the grammar, others that proofread my papers, others that help me with my kids while doing it. I had my husband that made all the chores so I can focus on school. It took a village to be where I am today.
Another challenge has been going against the stereotype of a Mexican woman. It has been very difficult to deal with my own barriers of what should a woman be and do vs what I want to be and do.
To expose myself by opening my own business in a country that isn´t mine has been nerve-wracking. It has been a leap of faith and a jump to the unknown. I´m so grateful that I didn’t listen to my critical self or to the social norms. The first months were difficult, I had to knock so many doors to get my name out there and people will trust me and refer me to clients.
I had doubts about my ability to operate a business. From time to time, the doubt comes in creeping in. Some days, I question my self if all the sacrifices I do in a daily basis – not being 100 % at home, missing some activities from my kid’s school, missing friend´s events, and so on. Is it worthy? Now, I´m better equipped – a lot thanks to my own therapy process- to quiet those voices and keep ongoing. I feel it is worthy.
I savor my success because it has taken many sacrifices, countless hours, battles with myself, and obstacles to get here. My success is measured in the peace I get on knowing I´m providing the best help I know of to my Hispanic community.
There is a lot of roads to pave. And I still have so many things I could do and that I wish it could happen faster. I´m still learning to stay still and taste this moment.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with Therapy Works Counseling Services – tell our readers more, for example, what you’re most proud of and what sets you apart from others.
Through my private practice: Therapy Works Counseling Services, I have the privilege to counsel teens, adults, couples, and families mainly from the Hispanic community. I truly believe that being born and raised in Mexico, being immersed in the Latino culture has given me that genuine connection with my clients. What I tell my clients is – not only my Spanish is native, and my style is straightforward, I also carry with me our culture and traditions. I also integrate how counseling is done in Latin America to the way is done in here. I think that gives me a broader perspective on issues that my clients might be struggling with.
For many of my clients, on top of whatever they are dealing, they are also dealing with the clashing of two cultures. They, a lot of the times, can’t find the connection they need because they are far away from their roots. I get that- from my own experience, One of my main goals is to provide a safe place where they can relax and explore their own lives. We can´t fix, heal, change, let go -what we don´t know — so exploring is one of the things that we do in therapy. And to explore, we need to feel secure, in a non-judgmental space. I do my best to provide these to my clients.
Some of my areas of expertise is depression, anxiety, infidelity, relational problems, parenting, and trauma. I have a training on EMDR- which is for treating any kind of trauma. I love that I can provide this in Spanish.
One of the things I´m most proud of is the workshops and conferences I do. I know, sometimes, a lot of the people – and mostly in the Latino community- aren´t ready to go to therapy. There is still a huge stigma of talking about the dirty laundry with someone that isn’t in your family. So, through my public speaking events, I try to destigmatize mental health. I know I can get to more people through my radio interviews or a conference. That way maybe a seed will be planted in someone that might be ready to listen to the message and come to therapy.
So, what’s next? Any big plans?
One of the new things coming up for Therapy Works Counseling Services is becoming a group practice. I´m adding another therapist to the team. Of course, a Hispanic – Spanish speaking counselor that can continue to provide the quality mental health to our community. It took me months to find the right fit for my practice. I want to assure my clients that they will be cared for in the same way I do.
Also, I´m taking my talks to big conferences like the Dallas Ministry conference at the Irving Convention Center in October. This is the second year I will participate in this convention. I´m so honored to speak to leaders of the Catholic church in the area.
I continue to participate in a monthly basis in the radio and my next goal/dream is to go to other networks to reach more Hispanics in need of topics related to the mental health and relational areas.
Pricing:
- Individual and couples sessions $100-$130
- group sessions $50
Contact Info:
- Address: Adriatica Village
6675 Mediterranean Dr. Suite 306.
McKinney, TX 75070 - Website: www.therapyworkscounseling.com
- Phone: 9726953421
- Email: marcela@therapyworkscounseling.com
- Instagram: @therapyworksana
- Facebook: @ therapy works counseling
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