Today we’d like to introduce you to Marisol Sanchez.
Marisol, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I received a degree in Psychology from the University of California Riverside, my Master’s in Social Work from the University of Southern California, and a Post-Graduate Certificate from Harvard Global Mental Health Program. I began my professional career in mental health by working in school settings, community mental health, and hospital settings. I currently run The Sanchez Center, a bi-coastal group mental health private practice in California and the D.C., Maryland, and Virginia area.
It’s been more than 15 years of training, education, clinical experience, and licensure exams to get to where I am today, and I’m grateful for that. I enjoy and love the work that I do every day. My group practice currently has three associates, and we all enjoy working with young adults, college students, and young professionals.
In 2018, I had a unique opportunity to move from Los Angeles, CA, to Washington, DC, for a few years. When settling there, I noticed a big mental health need for first and second-generation young professionals navigating their careers in the DC area. Like myself, they are often the first in their family to attend college, leave their families behind, and begin their professional careers. Class mobility can also be isolating at times, and I wanted to be able to support other individuals going through similar experiences as the ones I had gone through.
In our group practice, we work with many young college students and professionals who experience depression, anxiety, imposter syndrome, cultural stress, doubt, adjustment/life transitions, guilt, lack of self-confidence, immigration concerns, and other stressors that impact their mental health.
The Sanchez Center is fully committed and dedicated to providing equitable mental health services that are culturally attuned and appropriate. All of our clinicians have lived experiences that are valuable to the clients we serve, in addition to their extensive training and credentials.
Life can be stressful, especially when we think about intersectional identities and how many communities are struggling with their mental health. In just the past few years, we’ve experienced many historical events that have impacted individuals’ mental health, especially those who have underrepresented backgrounds and those who work in government or policy positions. In our practice, we want to create a more humane, kind, compassionate, and equitable society through mental health services. Our purpose at The Sanchez Center is to meet the needs of those historically left behind by the traditional mental health field.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
My journey has not been without its challenges. Growing up as a first-generation Mexican-American in a working-class immigrant family, entrepreneurship was a concept foreign to me. Yet, I was always determined, gritty, and focused, so looking back, I realize I had many of the traits I would need to survive on this bumpy road.
Something that has helped me overcome the struggles I have faced was watching my father build a small construction business. He had limited opportunities to expand and grow due to the language barrier and fluency in writing and reading in English. Yet, he modeled how to be an entrepreneur, and thanks to him, I was inspired and developed the courage and motivation to embark on my own journey to start a psychotherapy practice.
My father’s ability to sustain our family and manage a business against the odds convinced me that if he could triumph without formal support or language proficiency, then my own ventures, bolstered by college education and bilingualism, were well within reach. My mom has always been a fierce advocate and a strong proponent of self-advocacy; she exemplified the importance of voicing your thoughts and standing up for yourself, even when faced with anxiety or fear.
Relocating across the country to Washington, DC, introduced new challenges. I resided in Washington, DC, during a period marked by a politically charged environment and anti-immigrant and anti-Mexican rhetoric. As a Latina with immigrant parents, I brought a set of deeply held values that shaped my vision for starting this practice to help people, even amid all of the turbulence that has defined my generation. While socializing and meeting new people in my new home, I quickly discovered that other individuals were also struggling and that there was a big unmet need for mental health services that catered to first- and second-generation underrepresented young professionals in the DC area.
In the last four years, my practice has grown from being a solo private practitioner to a group practice office with four clinicians. I couldn’t be more grateful for the team I have.
During this journey, I’ve learned that sometimes you learn as you go. I used to think you needed to have all the questions answered before starting something, and I have learned to remain adaptable and flexible. Additionally, your mental health has to be stable because there will be lows and highs in the business sector. I have learned to manage and deal with hardships and remain open to different experiences.
And perhaps most importantly, I’ve embraced the practice of seeking help when needed and acknowledging the significant role of mental health support, including the benefits of medication when appropriate.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
We are a multicultural mental health group private practice in California and the Washington DC metro area. We provide telehealth services in DC, Virginia, Maryland, and CA in Spanish, English, and French. Each of our clinicians has a unique background, credentials, and clinical experience. We have expertise in working with young adults and adults with some of the following conditions: diabetes distress/burnout, cancer/oncology, anxiety, depression, trauma, relationship concerns, and other conditions. We also partner with attorneys and complete immigration evaluations to help individuals going through the immigration process. In summary, we complete intake assessments, provide individual therapy, conduct immigration evaluations, and lead mental health support groups.
So, before we go, how can our readers or others connect or collaborate with you? How can they support you?
I enjoy collaborating with and creating partnerships with universities, colleges, law firms, organizations, diverse companies, and individuals.
People can partner with my practice by facilitating connections with universities and colleges where we can offer targeted mental health services to students and staff. I also work with attorneys and complete immigration evaluations.
Collaborations with various organizations and workplaces are also welcome, as we aim to tailor mental health programs that suit the needs of diverse and underrepresented groups, enhancing overall wellness and productivity. Individuals and entities can support our work by sharing information about our services within their networks, extending our reach and impact in the community.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.sanchezcenter.com/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sanchezmarisol/
- Other: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-sanchez-center/
Image Credits
Pamphlets completed by our talented clinician, Jalyn Jarden, LCSW/psychotherapist.
