local storiesAugust 11, 2025

Inspiring Conversations with Patricia Becerra of Patricia Becerra LCSW Consultation and Counseling Services

Local Stories

Today we’d like to introduce you to Patricia Becerra.

Hi Patricia, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I’m a first-generation American—born and raised in Pasadena, California—to immigrant parents from Colombia. Growing up, I witnessed the emotional weight my family carried from unspoken generational trauma. I saw how many of my cousins struggled to find their voice, to feel safe enough to just *be*. From a young age, I knew I wanted to work with communities where mental health wasn’t part of the norm—to help shift the narrative of survival into one of healing and liberation.
I earned my B.A. at Whittier College and loved the learning and living among other students. I became a young mom at 23 and had to pause my journey to graduate school. After working in nonprofits for three years I decided I wanted to do more and model for my son that “anything is possible”. I applied to a prestigious program in the east coast at Smith College School for Social Work. I was accepted and moved across the country. As a single mother with my son, I experienced a high mental load as the program was intensive. The summers were based in Northampton, Massachusetts and then 10-month internships at Community Practice sites across the United States. My son and I moved back and forth from housing to grad school over the course of 27 months, in which looking back, taught us both, how to be adaptable, flexible and extremely gritty.

Those values continue to be main facets of who I am and how I show up in a therapeutic space. I started my career in nonprofit settings and eventually moved into college mental health. Since graduating in 2007 with my MSW I’ve spent almost two decades supporting first-gen students, Latinx communities, and professionals of color. Today, I serve as the Assistant Director of Counseling and CARE at Whittier College, where I oversee clinical training and trauma-informed outreach programs.
Alongside my college work, I’ve built a thriving private practice focused on supporting women and professionals—especially clinicians—navigating transitions, burnout, imposter syndrome, and family wounds. My practice is grounded in psychodynamic therapy, somatic healing, attachment theory, and IFS. I also provide contract supervision for newly licensed therapists looking to build their skills and prepare for licensure. I am passionate about helping the next generation of therapists find their voice and practice with integrity and joy.
My journey has been shaped by both personal healing and professional growth. I’m a mother of three—each child teaching me something new about presence, grace, and resilience. I’ve built my career through grit, heart, and an unwavering belief that when one of us heals, we make it possible for others to do the same.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
I feel that my graduate school journey was more layered as I was doing it as a young mother, traveling cross country, with a limited support system. One of my strategies to create success is to reach out for help. I was able to connect with to two Latina mentors, who met with me and shared their stories of perseverance as Latinas overcoming barriers to pursue higher education. In that stage of my life, I received affirmation, validation and overall support to not give up on my academic goals. Additionally, because my heart is to serve those that are marginalized, I know my past lived experiences have helped me show up more authentically for my trainees and clients.

Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am a licensed clinical social worker and provide individual therapy specializing in women and young adults navigating college as first gen students . At my core, I believe what sets my practice apart is that I am an overcomer. I’m deeply committed to my own healing, and I create the same level of depth and safety for my clients to do their own work—to confront and release generational cycles that no longer serve them. So many of us, especially women and women of color, were raised to believe that our worth is tied to what we produce rather than who we are. My work is about helping clients reconnect to the parts of themselves that may have been hidden or silenced during childhood, and to reclaim joy, authenticity, and a sense of belonging.

I specialize in walking alongside women during major life transitions—whether that’s navigating grief, career pivots, motherhood, or redefining relationships. My own story of resilience shapes the work I do: I’ve lost a parent as a young adult, raised my son as a single mother, built a blended family, and now I am reclaiming myself after a season of divorce. Rather than letting these experiences hold me back, I’ve used them as powerful lessons to grow, to heal, and to empower others to find their own voice and strength.

Brand-wise, I’m most proud of the sanctuary I’ve created—both in my physical office and in the virtual spaces I hold. My practice blends a calming, soulful environment with a therapeutic approach rooted in psychodynamic work, Internal Family Systems (IFS), and somatic healing. I’m known for my ability to hold space with compassion, humor, and depth, while also challenging my clients to step into alignment with who they truly are.

What I want readers to know is that my work is not just about therapy sessions—it’s about transformation. It’s about reclaiming the self, breaking free from inherited patterns of over productivity and perfectionism, and learning to honor your full humanity. I consider it a privilege to walk alongside women in these deeply personal seasons of change, offering not only clinical expertise but also the empathy of someone who’s been there and continues to do the work herself.

Where do you see things going in the next 5-10 years?
As a first-generation Latina businesswoman and clinician, I see the mental health and wellness industry moving toward more culturally-responsive, trauma-informed, and integrative care models—something I’ve long advocated for. Over the next 5 to 10 years, I believe we’ll continue to see a shift away from rigid clinical frameworks toward more holistic, relational, and identity-affirming practices that center the lived experiences of marginalized communities. There will also be a growing need for therapists of color to not only provide care, but to lead, educate, and innovate within the field.

Personally, I’m invested in acquiring the skills, training, and business infrastructure to ensure my private practice is not only clinically sound but financially sustainable. As a first-generation professional, I didn’t grow up with models of generational wealth or entrepreneurship. I’ve had to build everything from the ground up—and I want to create a long-term business model that allows me to shift that narrative for my own children.

My goal is to develop a practice that generates financial stability and abundance, not just for me, but for future generations. I want my kids to witness what it looks like to build a values-driven, heart-centered, and profitable business—and know that it’s possible for them, too. The next chapter of growth for me includes leadership, legacy-building, and expanding how I support other professionals—especially women of color—who are also navigating the intersection of healing and entrepreneurship.

Pricing:

Clinical Consultation:$175
Clinical Supervision: $150
Individual Therapy: $200
Sliding Scale Individual Therapy: $150

Contact Info:

Image Credits
Gina Pecho
https://www.instagram.com/ginapechophoto?igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

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