Today we’d like to introduce you to Cynthia Cerrato.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Cynthia. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
Healing wasn’t something that was necessarily promoted within my upbringing. My relationship with healing now is much more profound and contemplative. As a young muxer, mi abuelita, RIP, exemplified female strength as “you hustle to get what you want and keep moving forward at all costs.” While these notions resonate with me deeply, her female strength was also depicted by traumatic expressions of survival and systemic oppression.
My parents divorced when I was five years old (but am proud to say they’re happily and healthily remarried now). My mom exemplified female strength in a different way. She worked two jobs at one point and was a single working mom throughout most of my childhood/adolescence. She taught us about the importance of functioning from the feminine energy, the healing energy of compassion and forgiveness. Within my personal journey of healing my intergenerational trauma, I learned that my father at the time was functioning from a place of survival, pain and trauma, and fathered us the best way he knew given his circumstances. My father is a true testament of individual growth and personal change.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
My academic and business journey have been quite the opposite of a smooth road. In fact, more than anything, it’s been a super bumpy and tumultuous road. A road filled with a lot of tears and self-doubt. I’ll be honest, oftentimes I’m battling with the “imposter syndrome” and owning the fact that I AM a #girlboss.
My pursuit of higher education as well as venturing off into private practice derived from my maternal need and passion to have self-autonomy. To do things my way and have more time for myself and for my beautiful boys! Shortly after I began grad school, I became a single mother and was faced with having to survive and provide for my son. I’m proud to say that I did it! During my last year of grad school, my grandfather died, which resulted in a major existential spiritual crisis. Dear friends such as Roberta Fernandez know exactly what I’m talking about as she was one of my pillars of strength during this very difficult time.
As I began my vocation as a therapist eight years ago, licensing time finally arrived! Yet another test of my will and endurance. The first time I took the exam the electricity shut down for about 20 minutes…so of course I failed. Second time I took the exam, I missed passing by one point! It was during this time that I began to reconsider my career, my life, my vocation and was on the verge of giving up. It’s because of these series of events that I sought out therapy and began to work on my fears and self-esteem. I’m now happy to report that I finally passed and have been working in private practice for almost two years now.
We’d love to hear more about your business.
Corazon Y Aire is a non-traditional private practice in El Sereno. By non-traditional, not only do I practice through a culturally competent and holistic lens, but I also practice from the comfort of my own home. Sessions take place in my living room or on my deck and it’s not uncommon to find me on a yoga mat with a client stretching and incorporating yoga type movement while working through difficult emotions all while sipping tea.
I’m a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and am certified in Holistic and Integrative health. In sessions, I provide psychoeducation about different herbs and teas that are beneficial in calming the nervous system and reducing stress as well symptoms of anxiety and depression. I’m a firm believer that the body can heal itself and approach treatment on a whole level, not just on an emotional/mental one. I provide individual, couples and family therapy but specialize in maternal mental health, womxn of color, depression, anxiety, addiction, and parenting.
I feel like I’m best known for my interpersonal skills and my ability to connect with individuals pretty quickly. I’m a transparent and authentic womxn and therapist which I feel increases connection in the therapeutic setting. Connection is something that I really value because of my own personal experiences. I utilize the ability to connect in order to normalize client experiences rather than pathologizing which allows space for healing and transformation.
What I’m most proud of as a business owner is that I stayed true to my vision and values for a private practice. My home offers a lot of healing that nature provides. It’s not the norm that you find a therapist working from their own living room or deck. However, I consistently receive validation from clients that express how pleasant it is for them to heal within a home rather than an office setting.
What were you like growing up?
Growing up, I was that girl. The girl that would act like she didn’t care about anything or anyone. I was the “traviesa” of the family. I was also very outspoken and displayed a tough personality. Little did I know then that this attitude was coming from a place of fear and insecurity.
In hindsight, I realize that I’ve always been drawn to the healing fields. I’m very passionate about guiding and supporting individuals in their healing process and do not take this for granted. In fact, it’s a privilege to witness the transformational work that individuals engage in. I have a very deep and profound relationship with the world of psychotherapy and am extremely passionate about maternal mental health. I’m also very vested in reducing mental health stigmas and normalizing a lot of what we experience because after all, we all experience mental health realities.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.corazonyaire.com
- Phone: 424-261-5326
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/corazon_y_aire_psychotherapy
Image Credit:
Luis Carranza, Brandie Carlos
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