Today we’d like to introduce you to Yesenia Dominguez.
Hi Yesenia, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. I received my Master of Arts degree in Social Work at California State University, Long Beach (CSULB) and my Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA).
I’ve been working in the field of social work since 2010 in various roles including: case management, clinical social work for a nonprofit agency, emergency response in child protective services, dependency investigations in child protective services, school-based mental health services and mental health services at an outpatient medical clinic.
I am proud to say that I am the daughter of immigrants and laborers. I’ve experienced depression, anger, frustration and anxiety, in part, due to the clash of both my Mexican roots and my American nationality. I was fortunate enough to find a therapist that related to my background and decided to open my private psychotherapy practice in order to help first-generation Latinx adults like me. I knew I could not be the only person struggling with similar issues and I felt empowered to help.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
As one can imagine, my path has been riddled with obstacles. So many of our stories have similar problems from people that doubted my ability, problems with finances, and generally limited connections to people in places/positions of power.
In order to make college more affordable and attainable, I chose to enroll in community college. In my second semester, I wanted to take 42 units to expedite my transfer to UCLA. I was met by doubt and disapproval from multiple college counselors (one even told me that I would certainly fail and ruin my transcript). I pleaded with the dean to grant me an exception and attained a 3.9 gpa then gained admission to UCLA.
As an undergraduate student at UCLA, I was fortunate to be awarded several scholarships however they were not enough to cover my expenses. I took on three different jobs in order to make ends meet.
Once I achieved Licensure as a Clinical Social Worker, there was and continue to be much to learn about running a business. These are not things that one learns during Master’s education or in the process of licensure. Things such as creating a website, marketing, accounting, content creation, managing social media, and so much more have all been challenges that I am learning to navigate. It has been such an eye-opening and learning experience. I hope that through these efforts, I am able to build generational wealth.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Cafe de Olla Therapy?
My practice was named Cafe de Olla Therapy after the iconic Mexican drink that brings such fond connection to cultural heritage, nostalgia and sense of comfort. This is exactly the approach that I have towards therapy. I pride myself in providing a comfortable space where Latinx adults can find connections and simultaneously not have to explain themselves, their traditions, or cultural norms.
I provide Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) Therapy, I continue to guide and witness healing in my clients from so many types of trauma. EMDR therapy helps to resolve triggers and symptoms connected to memories/events that were not stored correctly in the brain/body. So rather than always reacting in fear/anger/shame to a trigger, we can find more adaptable responses and heal from the initial trauma.
I’m constantly impressed by the depth of this healing treatment and look forward to providing relief for clients from the pain of their past.
Let’s talk about our city – what do you love? What do you not love?
I LOVE being able to try different foods in Los Angeles. Whether it’s Peruvian ceviche, Spanish churros y chocolate, pulled pork sandwiches, Mediterranean food, shawarma or any type of food I want, I can find it in LA! Like most people, I don’t love the traffic or increased traffic as a result of construction, but I have learned to adapt and try not to travel during peak hours.
Pricing:
- 50-60 min individual sessions $150
Contact Info:
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: www.cafedeollatherapy.com
- Instagram: instagram.com/cafe.de.olla.therapy
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cafedeollatherapy/
