We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Claudia R. Davila a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Claudia R., so good to have you with us today. We’ve always been impressed with folks who have a very clear sense of purpose and so maybe we can jump right in and talk about how you found your purpose?
Since I can remember, I have always been compassionate, and empathic. However, when I moved to this country from Peru, I experienced something different, something I did not know what to call it. Without speaking an ounce of English I went to school where I experienced what I know now to be called a culture shock. It was the first time, I experienced many different cultures, people from the middle east, people form other Hispanic countries such as Mexico, Cuba, Puerto Rico, and of course the dominant Caucasian culture that was so different from where I grew up. Noticing the differences between collectivistic and individualistic cultures helped to understand a bit more about humanity and the values we all bring to the table. In essence, learning about these differences made me realize how we are all more alike than we think. Through the many challenges of navigating the language and seeing others navigating those same challenges, made me realize how we are all needing the same things as humans, connection, understanding, inclusion, compassion and a bit of humanity. After high school , I knew there was only one option for me, psychology, counseling, and social work. To help others who struggle was my purpose, it is what I came to this earth to do, to help and assist someone to get to know themselves, to walk along them in the challenges of life, in the challenges of learning who you are and what you are made of. To help someone feel heard and understood no matter what their struggles are. You matter and your story matters!
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
I have dedicated my career to the work in the non profit sector where I have helped many clients, victims of domestic violence, IPV, Human trafficking, victims of crime and others. I took on leadership roles as Clinical Director and many committees. Presently, I have founded the Mind, Body & Soul Counseling Center where I wanted to continue my calling in serving others to improve their mental health and wellbeing. Congruency in bringing these three together, our minds, our bodies and our essence (what makes us, us) is key. Our center is dedicated to help others in need, we are compassionate, empathic and ethical. We are client centered, trauma informed and practice cultural humility. We provide services for children 4 & up in play therapy, teens and adults in Spanish and English. We are also available for any speaking engagements or trainings in English or Spanish for any mental health issues. We are also working on holding conferences about Mental health in different topics for clients such as parenting, family, boundaries, culture, among others, so stay tuned!
We are Dedicated to your mental health and well being….Your Story Matters!
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
I believe that my compassion and empathic nature helped me a lot in my journey. To be able to feel someone else’s emotions was what made me who I am at my core. The first time I counseled a little girl who experienced sexual abuse was key to my hunger for knowledge and my clinical education. I felt a responsibility that clients children and adults needed someone ethical, educated in all clinical aspects to be able to heal. I applied to the PhD program in counseling to further my education and gain more clinical knowledge and experience while working in the non profit sector. I also received a certification in play therapy, sandtray therapy, cognitive behavioral training certificate and EMDR training to assist those going through a trauma.
I would advice students and early practitioners to get a really good supervisor who can help them develop those skills. To be able to tape their sessions and watch them over and over again and see what they could improve on. To immerse themselves in different areas and have diverse experiences to find their passion.
To close, maybe we can chat about your parents and what they did that was particularly impactful for you?
Both my parents gave me really great messages regarding myself and other people.
My dad who was a civil engineer and had many under his supervision would always say that we need to treat the doorman (his building had a doorman back then) the same way as we treat the president (referring to his corporation) and he would greet the door man the same way he would greet the President. He has the humility to treat everyone the same no matter the culture, ethnicity, gender, race and socioeconomic status. my first memory of my dad was him paying for a homeless man who came into the restaurant we were eating and the waiter trying to kick him out. My dad stood up and asked the waiter to serve him and to give him the bill.
My mom who was a home maker back then was and is a strong woman. There is nothing that faces her, She is determined and a go getter. It is because of her, my family came to this wonderful country. She was never afraid to move without speaking an ounce of English in her 40s to a new country in order to provide a better education for her kids. She never gives up and the word can’t was never a part of her vocabulary. Everything is possible, everything.
Contact Info:
- Website: http://mbscenter.net/
- Instagram: mbs.counseling
- Facebook: Mbs Counseling
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/mind-body-and-soul-counseling-center-frisco?osq=mind%2C+body+and+soul+counseling
