About Us
Empezando Contigo is a professional association dedicated to prioritizing the needs of Latine therapists, striving to enhance our capacity to address the mental health needs of the Latine community.
Nuestra Misión
We aim to centralize the needs of Latine mental health professionals by providing them with a safe space for cultivating meaningful connections, empowering one another, decolonizing the mental health field, and uplifting the Latine community.
Historia
In January 2020, our visionary founder, Linda Ruvalcaba took a leap of faith within Arizona’s therapist community. With a simple Facebook post, she extended a warm invitation to her fellow Latine therapists, seeking kinship in a profession that often felt unwelcoming.
To her delight, the response was overwhelming. Strangers became friends over cafecito at Fair Trade Cafe, a cozy spot in Phoenix, owned by a fellow Latina. Energized by this initial connection, they reconvened the following month, sharing stories and laughter amidst the comforting aroma of brewing coffee.
But life has its twists. When the pandemic swept in, Linda swiftly adapted, shifting the gatherings from in-person to virtual. Despite the physical distance, the bonds only grew stronger, expanding across borders and time zones, uniting over a shared passion for mental health, especialmente in the Latine community.
As months turned into years, the group flourished, embracing virtual meetups as a lifeline of support, occasionally gathering in person in Phoenix and later, in Long Beach, California.
By the close of 2023, Linda felt a stirring within her—a desire to formalize this nurturing network into something more. So, Empezando Contigo: Association for Latine Therapists was born, a testament to the resilience and unity of the community.
Today, Empezando Contigo continues to welcome Latine mental health professionals from all walks of life, offering a safe space for connection, empowerment, and growth. Together, we embark on this journey of transformation, guided by the shared values of inclusivity and solidarity.
Join us as we write the next chapter of our story juntos!
"I am honored to be considered to be part of this community. Ever since I started in this field I sought out other therapist who I could identify with however they were few and far between not 20 years later we have an official community!"
Jennifer Salazar, LPC
Founding Board Members
Linda Ruvalcaba, LPC: Founder and President of Empezando Contigo, long-time host of networking events that inspired this organization, and owner of @empiezaaquicounseling
- “Hi there! I am passionate about empowering mi comunidad, love to spend time con familia, and can be found connecting with creative pursuits when I’m not busy in my therapist role. Follow along with my personal journey at @therapy.girl.”
Lluliana Flores, LCSW: Secretary, infuses corazón into our programming, and owner of @florestherapyandwellness
- “¡Hola! Soy Lluliana. When not working with patients, I may be at a Brainspotting event, o me encuentran con familia y amistades bailando, pintando, viajando, o probando un nuevo pasatiempo.”
Viridiana Zendejas, LCSW: Treasurer, a wealth of knowledge regarding therapy and the nonprofit world, and owner of @generacionescounseling
- “¡Hola, que tal! Call me Viry. When I’m not in my Generaciones Counseling office, you can catch me enjoying a live sporting event, training for my next race, or booking an upcoming trip.”
Augusto Blanco, Clinical Psychologist: Member-at-Large, passionate about educating the next generation of therapists, and owner of @man.helping.men
- “Hi, I’m Augusto! Outside the therapy room, I enjoy sports, martial arts, board games, fantasy books, and live music. Trato de mantener una vida muy variada!”
Founding Miembros
As founding members, these individuals placed their faith in the potential of our comunidad and played a crucial role in its early development.
Elizabeth Alberto
Alejandra Alvarez
Cynthia Alvarez
Elisa Blair
Augusto Blanco
Abbey Caballero*
Adriana Cardona
Laura Cami
Mishka Clavijo Kimball
Nelsery De Leon
Dulce Encinas
Lluliana Flores*
Marta Lopez Gonzales
Tahirih Herrera
Denise Jauregui
Yasmin LLuveras
Raisa Núñez
Nicole O’Hare
Alayn Ortiz*
Alex Osorio
Jennifer Salazar
Yvette Sanchez
Diana Sandoval-Rosen
Daniela Ruiz
Linda Ruvalcaba*
Dr. Lauren Taveras
Clara Terrazas
Araceli Vega
Iliamari Vazquez Houston
Dianna Williams
Viridiana Zendejas*
*Founding Board Members
“I believe that shared cultural background and similar life experiences, will foster deeper understanding and empathy among members. This shared cultural context can enhance your ability to provide and receive more effective counseling. Being part of a Latine group allows you to advocate for and represent the unique needs and challenges of the Latine community within the broader field of counseling. This can contribute to more inclusive and culturally competent practices within the profession.”
Diana Rosen, LPC
