Meet Jhoana of Calma Counseling Services

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jhoana.

Jhoana, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I started my career with a passion for helping people navigate difficult seasons of life, eventually becoming a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and spending more than a decade providing therapy to adults. As a first-generation Latina raised in Los Angeles, I understood firsthand how culture, family expectations, and the pressure to navigate different worlds can shape our mental health and influence whether we feel comfortable seeking support. That experience inspired me to create Calma Counseling Services, a private practice focused on providing culturally responsive, relatable therapy where clients—especially people of color—can feel genuinely seen and understood. Today, I’m continuing to grow that vision into a larger practice and community through new spaces, new opportunities, and a brand that reflects the warm, elevated, and culturally grounded care I want to offer.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road, and honestly, I started my practice knowing how to be a therapist—not how to be a business owner. I’ve had to figure out so much along the way, often learning by doing, making mistakes, second-guessing myself, and sometimes wondering if I was actually capable of building something bigger than what I had originally imagined. There were moments when I felt overwhelmed because there was no roadmap telling me how to market myself, manage the finances, build systems, hire people, or grow while still being present for my clients and my family. But I think that’s what has made this journey so meaningful: I’m learning to trust myself, ask for help, and remind myself that I don’t have to have it all figured out to keep moving forward.

As you know, we’re big fans of Calma Counseling Services. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
Calma Counseling Services really came from a personal place for me. As a therapist, I wanted to create the kind of space I knew many people—especially people of color and those from first-generation families—were looking for: a place where you can talk about your mental health without feeling judged, misunderstood, or like you have to explain every part of your culture and family dynamics. I work with adults navigating things like anxiety, depression, relationships, family expectations, life transitions, and simply trying to figure out who they are and what they want their lives to look like. What I think makes my practice different is that I bring both my professional experience and my own lived experiences into the way I connect with people; therapy doesn’t have to feel stiff or clinical, and I want my clients to feel like they can truly be themselves. I’m probably most proud of the brand I’ve built because it feels authentic to me—it’s warm, intentional, culturally grounded, and represents the kind of care I’ve always wanted to provide. As Calma continues to grow, I want people to know that it’s more than just a therapy practice; it’s something I’m building from the heart, with the hope of creating a space where people feel seen, supported, and empowered to become the best version of themselves.

What were you like growing up?
Growing up, I was pretty independent and observant, but I was also very family-oriented. I think I’ve always been the person who notices when something is going on with someone, even if they don’t say it, and I’ve always been genuinely interested in people and their stories. Being raised in Los Angeles in a first-generation family, I grew up around a lot of different personalities, experiences, and expectations, and I think that shaped how I learned to understand people and see things from different perspectives. Looking back, it’s funny because so many of the things that make me who I am now—being curious about people, caring deeply about others, being independent, and wanting to create something of my own—were probably part of me long before I realized they would eventually lead me to becoming a therapist and business owner.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.calmacounselingservices.com
• Instagram: @calmacounselingservices