Latinx and Hispanic Communities and Mental Health: Challenges, Prevalence, and Barriers
7 min
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Yozaira León-Santiago is a bilingual Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in Virginia and Puerto Rico with more than 15 years of experience in the behavioral healthcare field. She was born and raised in Puerto Rico and speak Spanish and English. She have been working with the Latino and Hispanic community for years. She have specialized training in family therapy, trauma, depression, and anxiety. Now, she is putting her knowledge into reader friendly articles to help spread the importance of mental health specially with the Latino/Hispanic community.
Professional experience
- Mental Health Counselor at Harrisonburg City Schools, since Aug 2023. On-site role.
- Bilingual Mental Health Clinician at Shenandoah Valley Juvenile Center, Staunton, VA, since Oct 2018. Provides a comprehensive range of mental health services to Unaccompanied Alien Children (UAC).
- ORR Program Director at Shenandoah Valley Juvenile Center, Staunton, VA, from Jul 2022 to Sep 2023. Managed administrative, financial, and operational aspects of services for unaccompanied children.
- Online Group Facilitator at Latinos in Virginia Empowerment Center, since Sep 2021.
- Spanish Interpreter at Bilingual Connections LLC, Virginia, USA, since Mar 2018.
- MST Therapist at FAMILY PRESERVATION SERVICES, Staunton, VA, from Sep 2017 to Nov 2018. Implemented Multi-Systemic Therapy (MST) for families.
- School Counselor at Puerto Rico Department of Education, Puerto Rico, from Jan 2017 to May 2017. Provided a range of counseling services to students.
- Licensed Professional Counselor at Dewey University, Puerto Rico, from Mar 2015 to Jan 2017.
- Loan Closing Specialist at Doral Bank, from Sep 2013 to Feb 2015. Managed commercial loan closings.
- Dispatch Clerk at Doral Mortgage, from Sep 2012 to Aug 2013. Handled documentation for mortgage applications.
- Customer Service Representative at Banco Popular de Puerto Rico, from May 2011 to Aug 2012.
- Oficial de Servicios Comunitarios at Departamento de la Vivienda, Puerto Rico, from Sep 2004 to Mar 2010. Coordinated community activities and services for residents of public housing.
Education
- Master of Arts (M.A.) in Marriage and Family Therapy/Counseling from the University of Phoenix, 2010 - 2013. Grade: 3.59.
- Master of Arts (M.A.) in Criminology from Pontificia Universidad Católica de Puerto Rico, 2003 - 2007. Grade: 3.83. Active involvement as a student member in the Graduated Students' Association in Criminology, American Association of Criminology, and Association of Forensic Sciences of Puerto Rico.
- Bachelor's degree in Sociology from Universidad de Puerto Rico, 1998 - 2003. Grade: 2.90.
Certifications and qualifications
- Qualified Mental Health Professional-Child certified by the Virginia Department of Health Professions in Oct 2018, Credential ID # 0733004830.
- Licensed Professional Counselor by the Board of Professional Counselor of Puerto Rico, issued in Dec 2016 and expired in Dec 2019, Credential ID # 4203.
- Completed Mental Health First Aid training with the National Council for Mental Wellbeing in May 2016.
About Calmerry
Calmerry is a trusted online therapy and counseling platform that connects clients with licensed mental health professionals for text and video sessions.
We’re also a mental health community with the mission to increase awareness, fight the stigma, and help thousands of people to be heard and supported. We team up with experts and people passionate about mental health, who have much to say, to do this important work.
Learn more about us and our editorial process.
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