Meet Adriana Cardona

We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Adriana Cardona. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Adriana below.

Adriana, so many exciting things to discuss, we can’t wait. Thanks for joining us and we appreciate you sharing your wisdom with our readers. So, maybe we can start by discussing optimism and where your optimism comes from?
I have always considered myself an optimist and as long as I remember my sense of optimism has its roots in the environment created by my parents. As the youngest of four in an immigrant family, my parents and siblings instilled the importance of believing in yourself and trusting in our ability to achieve great things. Growing up we encouraged each other, even when facing unfavorable odds. A memory that stands out is being in high school and being unsure how to make friends. That is when I decided I would try out for a school sport I had never played before. During tryouts, the coach noticed that I lacked experience in the sport and pulled me aside. Nevertheless, he invited me to join the team because of my positive attitude.

As I transitioned into adulthood, my optimism has evolved. It now extends to my own family, including my husband and children. I make a conscious effort to provide them with the same level of support that I was fortunate to receive. I encourage them to explore new opportunities and take on challenges that will help them grow and build confidence.

Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?
I am a bilingual Licensed Clinical Social Worker and the founder of Camelback Counseling, where I provide online counseling services to the Latino/a/x community in Arizona. I began Camelback Counseling at the beginning of the pandemic, as it allowed me to be present for my family and met my professional needs. Over the course of the last three years, Camelback Counseling has undergone a deliberate transformation, centering its focus on serving immigrant and first-generation Latinos/a/x.

My areas of specialization encompass trauma, maternal mental health, anxiety, and depression. Aside from my formal education, I draw from my own experiences as a first generation Latina. I can empathize with the challenge of not feeling entirely aligned with any one cultural identity and how that presents unique challenges professionally, as a parent, partner, sister, and friend. Growing up I often found myself navigating the feelings of not being ‘Mexican’ enough, ‘American’ enough, or ‘Salvadoran’ enough. Life has ultimately led me to Arizona, where I began a journey to be more curious about my culture including the language, traditions and values. This journey helped me create a space that reflects a mix of those cultures and truly reflects a pride in my heritage. I also became more attuned with how cultural, societal, and familial systems can significantly impact how we see ourselves.

In my practice, I have made it my mission to provide a holistic, mind-body approach to individuals who, like me, may have grappled with a sense of not quite fitting in or feel pressure to be better or do more while feeling the conflicting weight of family, culture and society. I strive to cultivate a safe space where clients can freely communicate in their language of choice, share their unique life experiences, and embrace their true selves without the burden of conformity or change.

Recognizing a need for additional and accessible support, I am in the process of developing an online workshop. This platform will offer valuable tools, including general tips for managing relationships, balancing expectations, self-esteem, honing coping skills, exploring identity and enhancing communication, among others. It is important to note that this workshop is designed to be a brief overview of skills and tools for those open to expanding their knowledge at any point in their journey.

At Camelback Counseling, my commitment is not just to provide therapy but also to equip individuals with the skills and knowledge they need to navigate life’s challenges with resilience and confidence.

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
Believe in yourself, persevere, and build a support system. Embarking on a new journey can be challenging. Perhaps we have been putting goals off, have failed to make time for the things we want, or maybe we are simply scared of the unknown. It is easy to fall into the trap of discouragement and forget that every journey begins with a single step. My advice for folks who are early in their journey is to believe in yourself, persevere through challenges and finally take the time to establish a strong support system.

My own journey as a mental health professional has not been easy and definitely did not commence where I am now. Setting a goal of owning my own business, leaning on my support system of mentors, colleagues, family and acquiring my education and clinical license was a journey spanning many years.

My last piece of advice is to embrace change and evolve. In my own journey, I learned to have an open mind and be open to new possibilities. This mindset has led me and my business to focus on the needs within the Latinx community.

Is there a particular challenge you are currently facing?
The greatest challenge for me and my journey has been maintaining a balance. As our life progresses we have to make many tough decisions. A few years ago I became a parent and made a conscious choice to devote part of my time to being at home with them. Being an “at home parent” and entrepreneur creates challenges in time management and prioritization as I attempt to balance my business, family, and personal needs.

In this time of my life, I continually assess the allocation of my time and energy. I must weigh my aspirations, both professional and personal, against the available resources. This necessitates making difficult choices, including saying no, deferring certain tasks, and setting clear boundaries. It is a continual practice in self-reflection, trust in my instincts, and intentional decision-making.

During these transitional periods, it is important to keep in mind that change is inevitable and things will eventually evolve. I trust my intuition and remain deliberate in my actions, even if it means recognizing that the timing may not be ideal for certain pursuits. Ultimately, I remind myself that I know what is best for me and can adapt accordingly as circumstances continue to shift.

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