Inspiring Conversations with Brenda Santillan of Balanced Souls Therapeutic Services

Today we’d like to introduce you to Brenda Santillan.

Hi Brenda, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
As a first-generation women from a mixed-status family, that identity is the the thread that runs through everything I do. Growing up, I watched my parents navigate an unfamiliar system with unwavering determination. They worked long hours, often putting their own well-being aside, so that my sister and I could have the opportunities they never had. Education was a non-negotiable in our home, spoken about with urgency and hope, but I now understand it came with a cost to their mental health.

Their resilience shaped my understanding of what it means to show up for others, even when you’re running on empty. It also planted early questions in me: Who takes care of the caregivers? What does it mean to thrive, not just survive? These questions have stayed with me and continue to guide the work I do today. Their quiet resilience taught me a lot about survival sacrifice, and the emotional burdens many immigrant families carry.

When I entered college, I felt directionless at first. But earning my B.A. in History grounded me in a new way. It helped me understand how policies and systems have shaped the lives of people like me and those in my community. I had the privilege of learning about my own cultural history something I was never exposed to growing up and that knowledge sparked a deeper sense of responsibility and a drive toward advocacy.

After college, I joined Teach for America and began my career as a Special Education teacher in urban schools. It was the first time I had ever lived far from home, and the transition was difficult. But that experience taught me the importance of care not just for students, but for ourselves as educators and community members. Working with students and families facing significant social, emotional, and systemic challenges made it clear how interconnected education, mental health, and equity really are.

That realization led me to pursue a Master’s in Marriage and Family Therapy so I could be part of the healing process in a more direct and culturally responsive way. Since then, I’ve worked in community mental health, providing bilingual therapy to children, teens, adults, and families navigating trauma, identity, depression, and anxiety. I now supervise MFT trainees, support their clinical development, and maintain a private practice.

My journey continues through my current pursuit of a doctorate in mental health leadership. I want to help shape systems that value cultural context, community wisdom, and lived experience and to make the voices of Latinx mental health providers heard. At the core of my work is a belief that healing and advocacy go hand-in-hand and that when we invest in care, we transform not just individuals, but entire communities.

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?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road. Navigating college as a first-generation student came with a steep learning curve. I often found myself unsure of where to go for help, trying to decode systems that weren’t built with students like me in mind. Language barriers and cultural expectations added another layer there were moments where I felt caught between two worlds: the academic spaces I was trying to succeed in and the community and family I came from.

Choosing mental health as a career path brought its own challenges. In my community, therapy hasn’t always been viewed as a first option or even a valid one. I had to do a lot of unlearning and reframing, both for myself and sometimes for those around me. There were times I questioned whether I belonged in this field, especially when I didn’t see many people who looked like me or shared my background.

At the same time, these struggles gave me clarity. They reminded me why representation matters, and why culturally responsive care is essential. I’ve had to learn how to move between spaces, to hold both pride in where I come from and responsibility for the doors I’m now able to help open for others. It hasn’t been easy but it’s been meaningful.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Balanced Souls Therapeutic Services ?
Balanced Souls was born somewhat unexpectedly—out of an accident, really—but also out of a need. A former client reached out, looking for services, and in that moment I realized there was a gap I could help fill. I wanted to create a space that felt accessible, affirming, and grounded in care, especially for folks who often fall through the cracks of traditional systems. Because I also work as a clinical supervisor in community mental health, I’m able to offer services at a lower cost, making therapy more affordable without compromising quality.

My practice specializes in working with neurodivergent and queer individuals navigating a range of experiences including family conflict, depression, anxiety, trauma, communication concerns, religious trauma, developmental challenges, and self-harm. Many of my clients are also exploring their identities, culturally, spiritually, or in relation to gender and sexuality and I’m honored to walk alongside them as they do that work.

At Balanced Souls, what sets us apart is our deep commitment to cultural humility and authenticity. This isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach. I meet clients where they are, and together we build pathways toward coping, healing, and self-trust. What I’m most proud of, brand-wise, is the safety and connection people say they feel when they enter this space. It’s not just therapy, it’s a space for people to be seen, heard, and supported without judgment.

If there’s one thing I want people to know about Balanced Souls, it’s this: healing is possible when we don’t have to do it alone.

Are there any books, apps, podcasts or blogs that help you do your best?
Over the years, I’ve leaned on a mix of resources that nourish both my professional growth and personal well-being. As someone who works in mental health, I’ve learned that staying grounded is just as important as staying informed.
Books like Radical Compassion by Tara Brach have been meaningful in shaping how I approach both my clients and myself with gentleness, curiosity, and presence. Her work on mindfulness and self-compassion has helped me slow down in a fast-paced world and offer space for healing that honors complexity. It’s reminded me that transformation often starts with how we relate to our own pain and that of others.

Podcasts like Therapy Chat and Code Switch offer insight into both clinical work and the sociocultural contexts that impact our mental health. I also appreciate Latinx Therapy, which uplifts voices from our community and helps normalize mental health conversations in culturally relevant ways.

Outside of work, I try to stay connected to creativity, joy, and nature. I find a lot of peace spending time outdoors whether it’s a quiet walk or going off-road to disconnect and recharge. Being in nature helps me slow down, breathe deeply, and stay present. I also love reading horror books; there’s something grounding about diving into those stories it gives me a sense of escape while also tapping into the complexity of human emotion and survival. These moments remind me to care for myself as I care for others, and they help me stay grounded in both my personal and professional life.

Pricing:

• Individual Therapy- 90
• Couples Therapy-150
• Infant Massage-50
• Immigration Evaluations

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.bstherapy.org/
• Other: 747-266-2592