Community Highlights: Meet Mario Palacios of Mario Palacios Therapy

Today we’d like to introduce you to Mario Palacios.

Hi Mario, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
When I was 17 I started volunteering at convalescent homes. As I was making my rounds so to speak, I noticed that most of the elderly people did not have anyone coming to visit them. I had asked one of my supervisors if I could spend time talking to a few of them after I had finished my work.

As I began to speak to them, it came out that nobody was not only visiting with them but nobody was listening to them. Staff was too busy attending to their job tasks but were not taking the time to talk to them. I decided to make it a priority to talk to them after I finished my duties. I realized that the power of listening and validation was very powerful even at my age where I was still a kid. When one is sitting in a chair across from someone who is lying in the bed, a connection is made. When one feel that the other person is taking the time to listen to whatever they have to say, it can make all the difference for them.

In college I had started out a premed. My parents of course wanted me to become a doctor. However after the second semester, it became more clearer that my passion did no lie in that direction. As I had started to work with more people I realized that becoming a therapist was more of my calling. Therefore against the advice of my family, friends and every negative person in my life at that point, I decided to change my major to psychology.

I graduated in 1999 with a MA in Psychology/MFT. I received a geriatric specialization from USC. Since 1999, I have worked in community mental health clinics, hospitals, IOPs, penal system, nursing facilities, and volunteering for the Red Cross. I have helped countless people with debilitating mental illnesses, helped one person come off a roof ledge, helped 9/11 survivors/firemen/policemen and seen the best and the worst of humanity. However, my resolve has continued to remain strong within myself in terms of wanting to help others and make a difference. After 27 years, I continue to remain very passionate being a therapist.

I have been in private practice since 2012 . I treated mood disorders, victims of crime, Spanish speaking population, older adults, chronically ill, anxiety and bipolar disorder.

My motto is ” Be good to yourself”

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?
The difficulties I have faced has included having to set up private practice. AT that time I was working two part time jobs and marketing my practice. I was probably spending up to 55-60 hours a week. There were times that I wanted to give up but I did not.

There were those that thought the idea of having a successful practice in 6-7 months was ludicrous. In fact I had quite a number of people including colleagues telling me it was impossible. I was working in an office that was a sub lease. I had 20 hours a month to fill. Between working, marketing and sleeping at the office, I started to see the progress.

It took about 7-8 months to get to a place where I was having a constant flux of steady referrals each week. The day I celebrated I went to the beach and opened up a champagne bottle. I had finally achieved what I had set out to do.

Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Mario Palacios Therapy?
I specialize working with families and individuals with a variety of issues. I mainly see those with depression and anxiety. Usually people will call me telling me that they have suffered panic/anxiety attacks over the past two weeks or three months. They don’t know how or why.

Unlike other therapists that will go straight to the symptoms. ” Well let’s just put peroxide on your wound and a band aid and you’ll be fine.” That is not my approach. My approach will be to get to the core. Example why does one experience panic attacks? Panic attacks occur from unresolved fears, concerns, and/or issues that are still deeply buried within ourselves. You have to get to it.

I work with victims of crime, older adults, and the chronically ill/terminally ill, . On occasion I will do home visits with my older adults which I used to do when I worked at the community mental health centers.

I work with Spanish speaking clients. Many times they are not able to or willing to obtain mental health services. I work very hard to establish a trusting and emphatic relationship with them

I have my own website. I am very proud of my blogs. I currently have a Facebook business page where I often share my insights, experiences, and reflections on how to deal with certain life situations. I also have a Workpress and X account.

Currently I offer telehealth services. I am currently working towards doing in person therapy sessions.

What do you like and dislike about the city?
I often explore different very obscure parts of Los Angeles. Despite being here for many years I will often look for different places I have never seen. For example a friend of mine went hiking to this place tucked behind Big Tujunga full of history. Exploring different burger joints and soup dumplings

Los Angeles tends to be very open. It is very difficult for people to connect. I often hear people feeling alone and very disconnected from others and from the community. In New York it is quite different where I felt a connection with people, events and other situations.

Transportation and driving an hour or more to places has made it difficult. However if you are a true Angelino you just roll with it.

Pricing:

• Sliding scale $75-120

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.mariopalaciostherapy.com
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mariopalaciostherapy
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mario-palacios-6576299/
• Twitter: https://x.com/marspala
• Other: https://marspala.wordpress.com/

Image Credits
My pictures