UPDATED BLOG POST
I am Victoria Valdez. I am a generational poverty breaker, generational trauma overcomer, mental health advocate warrior, licensed marriage & family therapist, mother, lover, poet, Latinx dancer, and uplifter of all that is good. Of course, there is more, but I'll stick with these for today.
These I Am's are part of my 2023 reflections, but the one I want to focus the most on today is the Mental health advocate warrior.
You see, when I needed therapy the most, during the most vulnerable times of my life, I did not have access to it. I was just a child experiencing the trauma of poverty, generational trauma (in the form of child abuse), the trauma of racism, the extreme struggle of an undiagnosed learning issue (ADHD) that affected my education and quality of life, divorce, and an existential identity crisis- in the words of Abraham Cantinilla- Selena movie: "It's tough being a Mexican American…We have to be more Mexican than the Mexicans and more American than the Americans, both at the same time. It's exhausting."
I needed therapy when my grandpa died when I was 5, again when my grandma died when I was 10, again when my great grandma died when I was 13, when Mama Grande died (my other grandma) when I was 16, and when my father died when I was 20. I needed therapy when my brother was attacked, beaten, and hospitalized by off-duty cops and only saved from incarceration (charged with "resisting arrest," mind you, witnesses reported he was walking down the street and attacked for not responding to questions from a stranger - a guy in civilian clothes who happened to be an off-duty cop): joining the army and being shipped off to fight from the fallout of the 9/11 attacks.
The point is there were many times I needed therapy when I was at my most vulnerable, but I couldn't afford it. Fast forward. When I entered grad school, I signed up for counseling for the first time in my life with a counseling intern from my university. It was free for students. Being in therapy was a fantastic, life-changing experience. Finally, I became a therapist and had a passion for helping those in need of mental health care but may not be able to afford it. I knew what it was like to need therapy and not have access, and I wanted to bridge the gap. I started my own business as a private practice counselor. I knew I wanted to help people and still be able to support my family. And now I do just that.
Ways I Helped in 2023
This December, for the first time in my therapist career, I reflected on just how much I was able to accomplish my goal of living well while still providing counseling to those who can not afford it. I did the math, I looked at the numbers, and I was certainly surprised and thrilled.
From January 2023 to October 2023, I provided the following Counseling Services at low Cost, reduced fee, or completely free:
- A total of 583 Counseling Sessions: 70 free counseling sessions
- The total cost of services donated for free or at low Cost: $19,947
From January of 2023 to December 2023, I provided the following low-cost, reduced-fee, or free wellness services:
- Lens Neurofeedback 140 fee sessions, a service cost of $10,500
- 50 hours of free Mental Health Educational Videos ($13,750 hours worth of time)
- Parent Coaching $875 of donated services or reduced fee
- 40 hours of community engagement events/ volunteering for other companies that had no related mental health needs
From January of 2023 to December 2023, I provided the following low-cost, reduced-fee, or free Immigration Evaluation for those seeking asylum:
- 48 hours for free Immigration Psychological Evaluations
- Total Cost donated of services: $8000
The total of donated services and reduced fees I presented this year between January and December was $53,022. I am not a non-profit organization but have a very giving heart. I hope this inspires you to help where you can.
When I reflected on this number, I was shocked but proud. I also considered and reflected on my family's needs and student loan debt, college savings, time with my children with my family, planning for the future, and expanding my business. I imagined how those funds could have supported my own family. I imagined partnering with other individuals, organizations, agencies, and churches who could help my business continue bridging the gap in mental health services for community members. I reflected on sharing the blessing with others who want to rather than me going at it alone. I am grateful for those I was able to help, and I look forward to helping more families.
In September of this year, I added two Master Level Counselors with spots on their caseload for reduced fees for counseling sessions.
In October of this year, TSC added two Master Leveling Counseling Interns who can provide low-cost and some free counseling to families—another way to increase the number of people we can support.
Will you help me provide affordable counseling to others? Will you help Tri-Synergy Counseling increase the number of families we can help? Consider donating funds or connecting us with people who can contribute. Consider partnering with us and sponsoring families to receive counseling by paying for their sessions. Will you refer families in need of counseling to us?
If you want to donate to our TSC Community Counseling Fund | Bridging the Mental Health Counseling Gap, please do so HERE.
If you are interested in becoming a TSC partner, please email us here: [email protected]
Thank you for taking the time to learn about my 2023 reflection. I hope that you feel inspired!