Today we’d like to introduce you to Dr. Paloma Ocampo.
Hi Dr. Paloma, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I knew I wanted to be a psychologist as early as middle school because I was fascinated by human behavior. My parents always stressed the importance of a college education and they were instrumental in helping me reach my goal. My mom always reminded my brothers and me that my dad worked very hard to obtain his bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering while in Mexico, which ultimately opened the doors for us to move to the U.S. That message about education, opportunity, and perseverance stayed with me.
After college, I worked for Child Protective Services and later for a foster care agency. However, there came a point where I felt I was no longer having a positive impact working within such large systems, so it felt like the right time to go back to school.
I chose Our Lady of the Lake University in San Antonio for my master’s in counseling psychology because they offered coursework and training working with Spanish speaking individuals. For me, it was important to provide services in Spanish because my mom isn’t fluent in English and I see a difference when she’s able to communicate with healthcare professionals in her native language.
In 2019, I completed my PhD in Counseling Psychology at The University of Georgia and completed my year-long internship in Missouri, where I began focusing on psychological assessments and testing. I was trained as a generalist so I did testing for Autism, learning disorders, ADHD, personality disorders, trauma, etc. I moved back to Texas around 2022 and worked remotely for a group practice based out of Austin, providing individual therapy for adults dealing with anxiety, stress, depression, and major life changes.
Eventually, I decided to open my own private practice, Ocampo Psychology & Wellness, PLLC, because I wanted to return to doing psychological assessments. I see people in-person at my office in Frisco and virtually throughout Texas. As psychologists, we have an interstate compact that allows us to practice across 42 states without needing an additional license which has been great for continuity and access to care.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I consider completing a PhD program a struggle in and of itself! It requires a lot of discipline and time management. You have to balance schoolwork, research, seeing clients, doing 8-hour psychological assessments, plus writing a dissertation. In many ways, it feels like your life is on hold. You miss out on celebrations, birthdays, and time with loved ones. Most people don’t know that a PhD in counseling psychology requires a full-time, year-long internship, in which there’s a very high probability that you’ll move to a different city or state, which can be costly.
Finishing my dissertation was also challenging. I only had two weeks to turn in a final draft, when people usually have two months or more, or I wasn’t going to graduate. I remember posting in a Facebook group for doctoral students if this was even possible and someone replied saying they finished their final two chapters of their dissertation in 10 days. That was all I needed to hear to know it was doable. I definitely didn’t sleep much during those two weeks!
As you know, we’re big fans of Ocampo Psychology & Wellness, PLLC. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
I specialize in psychological assessments and testing for ages 10 and up. I primarily do assessments for ADHD concerns, academic concerns, IQ/cognitive testing, and for students requesting accommodations on standardized exams (e.g., SAT/ACT, LSAT, MCAT). I recently started offering wellness consultations for adults seeking clarity around their identity outside of work/academic accomplishments, parents and recent graduates who are reconnecting with their values and interests, and grad school consultations for those interested in pursuing a graduate degree in psychology. I also plan on launching groups and workshops for first-generation Americans (i.e., children of immigrants) navigating family dynamics and taking care of one’s mental health as an entrepreneur.
As a bilingual (Spanish/English) licensed psychologist, I bring both clinical expertise and lived experience to my work. Born in Mexico City and raised in Texas in a Spanish-speaking home, I understand the complexity of navigating multiple cultural identities and provide care that is thoughtful, culturally responsive, and grounded in respect for each person’s unique story. The American Psychological Association’s most recent survey from 2021 shows that about 7% of psychologists identify as Latino/Hispanic and out of that percentage, 5% speak Spanish, so I’m always looking to provide services in Spanish when possible because there’s a need.
More than anything, I want people to know that my practice is a safe space. There is no judgment here. My goal is to help you gain clarity and confidence in your next steps, whether that is through a psychological assessment, a workshop, or a wellness consultation.
So maybe we end on discussing what matters most to you and why?
What matters most to me is my family and living a life that feels meaningful. I’m very fortunate to have grown up in a happy home with loving parents and two older brothers whom I’ve always been close with. Even though we all live in different cities, we have a group chat that we talk in every day. I also have an adult son that I have a wonderful relationship with.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.ocampopsychology.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/paloma.the.psychologist
