Today we’d like to introduce you to Elizabeth Sanchez.
Hi Elizabeth, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I am a licensed marriage and family therapist running a private practice called Calidad Holistic Wellness and Therapy in Whittier, California and a mental health podcast called Cafecito y Calidad launching March 1, 2023. I am a first-generation, Mexican American, female based in Southern California. As the daughter of an immigrated family, I have always had a passion for helping others. Especially, the BIPOC community and underserved communities. In the early stages of childhood, I watched my parent pursue the “American Dream” through hard work, entrepreneurship, and perseverance. My parents always modeled perseverance and resilience and encouraged me to dream big in whatever I did, and so I did. I decided to attend college and be one of the first in my family to get a graduate degree. I attended the University of La Verne and graduated with my Bachelor’s in Psychology and my Master’s in Marriage and Family Therapy.
I opened my private practice in 2019 and have different services that offer to our community: I offer Telehealth and in-person mental health services to anyone living in California, I specialize in EMDR therapy which is an evidence-based therapy modality that helps people of all walks of life overcome different challenges. I have also expanded my services in helping my colleagues through EMDR Consultations, Private Practice Consultations, I have also collaborated with a creative team to bring you “Cafecito y Calidad” – a highly caffeinated, quality Podcast featuring discussions with various experts and holistic specialists in the Mental Health field. All of this has not just been years in the making, but years in dreaming and envisioning that can be traced back to the little girl that still lives in me. My hope is that I can continue to pursue education, advocate for systems of change, and add a little more “Calidad” into the lives of all who need it most. My dream became a clear vision, I married my husband and quickly adopted his philosophy on life: To do everything with “Calidad” which means quality in Spanish.
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?
Running a private practice and launching a mental health podcast has definitely had its highs and lows. I have enjoyed running my private practice but some of the struggles I have faced is being a working mother to a toddler and a wife having to try and have a work-life balance has been challenging. Thankfully I have a great support system that consists of a wonderful team that consists of the: KAIRI ANGELINE PRODUCER | CREATIVE DIRECTOR | DIGITAL MARKETING, TINA PHOTOGRAPHER | VIDEOGRAPHER, SAVANNAH WILDE
WEBSITE DESIGN | ONLINE HOST who have helped me launch my podcast and help run my website. I also have a great family and husband who have supported me through the different challenges I have faced since I have opened my practice and launched my podcast. And lastly, I have a strong group of women who are also women of color, entrepreneurs, mothers, and wives who are facing similar challenges.
We’ve been impressed with Calidad Holistic Wellness and Therapy/ Cafecito y Calidad Podcast, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
My name is Elizabeth Sanchez, and I am a licensed marriage and family therapist running a private practice called Calidad Holistic Wellness and Therapy in Whittier, California. Mental health is a crucial aspect of overall well-being, yet access to mental health services remains a significant challenge for many individuals, particularly for Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) communities. As a BIPOC-founded, women-owned private therapy practice, my ultimate aim is to address this gap by creating a podcast about mental health and providing information about holistic healing practices that can aid in my community’s healing and overall well-being.
My goal is to create a mental health podcast that invites various experts to share and spread the word of holistic healing practices while we ground ourselves with a cup of coffee. The podcast is called “Cafecito y Calidad,” which in Spanish means “coffee and quality.” I was inspired by the many quality conversations I’ve had with friends and clients alike while sipping on some delicious coffee. I am committed to highlighting local coffee shops in my podcast, by spreading the word of various BIPOC-owned cafes such as El Cielito in Long Beach, California, or Mi Cafecito in Pomona, California.
Starting a mental health podcast is a great way for a therapist like myself who is running a private practice and intends to reach a wider audience. My mission is to provide valuable resources and information to those in need, but I am only one person. As a first-generation Latina and eldest daughter of incredibly hard-working immigrants, I have found that there are many clients with a similar background who seek mental health help.
It is my goal to reach as many people as I can, even if I cannot personally add them to my client roster.
If you had to, what characteristic of yours would you give the most credit to?
I believe the fact that I am not afraid to step outside of my comfort zone, take risks, and a drive to persevere has lead to my success in the field of entrepreneurship and mental health
Contact Info:
- Website: www.calidadholisticwellness.com
- Instagram: @calidadholisticwellness and @cafecitoycalidadpodcast
- Other: TikTok – calidadholisticwellness
Image Credits
Savannah Wilde Photography and Marketing JEANETTE SANCHEZ PHOTOGRAPHY Kairi Angeline from Play Theory Co. (A production company)
