Meet Monica Verde

Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Monica Verde. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Monica , we’re thrilled to have you sharing your thoughts and lessons with our community. So, for folks who are at a stage in their life or career where they are trying to be more resilient, can you share where you get your resilience from?

My resilience was born from the struggles that shaped me, from my earliest memories in childhood to the challenges of adulthood. I grew up in an inner-city community where poverty, crime, and substance use were all around me. Amid that chaos, I was also learning what it meant to be a first-generation American; helping my family navigate a new country while trying to find my own place in it.

For a long time, it felt like I lived in two worlds. Inside my home, I carried the weight of my family’s hopes and survival. Outside, I faced the pressures of a world that often felt unsafe and unpredictable. I learned early on how to adapt, how to stay strong, and how to keep moving even when life felt heavy.

Witnessing the effects of addiction, mental health struggles, poverty, and oppression lit a fire in me. I didn’t just want to do better, I felt called to create something different. I may not have known exactly what that looked like at the time, but I knew what I didn’t want. And through that clarity, I began building the life I desired and deserved.

It wasn’t easy. There were years of trial and error, moments of doubt, and times when I didn’t know if I’d make it through. But I learned how to believe in myself, even when it felt impossible.

Today, I carry deep gratitude for every version of myself that refused to give up. Because through it all, I discovered not only resilience, but purpose.

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’m a licensed trauma therapist and the founder of Reclaim Healing, a telehealth practice that helps parents heal from their own childhood trauma so they can feel grounded, confident, and connected in their roles as caregivers and leaders within their families. My work is deeply personal, it was inspired by my own journey of growing up surrounded by addiction, emotional neglect, and instability, and learning how to create safety, healing, and belonging for myself as an adult.

With over 14 years of experience in social work and therapy, I’ve had the privilege of working with diverse individuals and families; from inner-city communities to parents navigating complex trauma. I’m trained in EMDR therapy, which allows me to help clients process the painful experiences that have kept them feeling stuck, anxious, or disconnected. I approach therapy with warmth, compassion, and cultural sensitivity, creating a space where people can truly feel seen and safe to heal.

What excites me most about my work is witnessing transformation, that powerful moment when a client realizes they are no longer defined by their past, but free to create something new. Healing from trauma isn’t just about letting go of pain; it’s about reclaiming your sense of power, peace, and purpose. That’s the heart of my mission with Reclaim Healing.

I’m currently expanding my work beyond one-on-one therapy to include coaching, courses, and community programs that help people reconnect with themselves and break intergenerational cycles of trauma. My goal is to make healing accessible and sustainable; to show others that no matter where they come from, it’s possible to build a life that feels safe, whole, and free.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

Looking back, I’d say the three qualities that have been most impactful in my journey are resilience, self-awareness, and compassion.

Resilience came from necessity, from growing up in an environment where I had to find strength even when things felt uncertain or unsafe. It taught me how to keep going, even when I didn’t have all the answers. Over time, I realized resilience isn’t about being tough all the time; it’s about allowing yourself to feel, fall, and still choose to rise again.

Self-awareness has been the foundation of my personal and professional growth. As a therapist, I’ve learned that healing starts with being honest with yourself about your patterns, your pain, and your needs. When you understand yourself deeply, you can show up more authentically in every part of your life.

And compassion, both for others and for myself, has been transformative. It’s easy to extend kindness outward, but learning to offer that same grace inward is where real healing begins. Compassion has allowed me to connect with my clients in a deeper way and to approach my own story with gentleness instead of judgment.

For anyone just starting their journey, whether personal or professional, my advice would be this:
• Resilience grows through experience, so don’t fear failure; let it teach you.
• Self-awareness develops through reflection — take time to pause, listen to your inner world, and seek support when needed.
• And compassion is strengthened through practice — start with small acts of kindness toward yourself every day.

Healing, growth, and success all begin from within. The more you nurture your inner world, the more grounded and purposeful your outer journey will become.

Okay, so before we go we always love to ask if you are looking for folks to partner or collaborate with?

Yes, I’m always open to meaningful collaborations, especially with individuals and organizations who share a passion for healing, empowerment, and breaking generational cycles of trauma. I love partnering with other therapists, coaches, educators, wellness practitioners, and community leaders who are committed to helping others reclaim their sense of safety, wholeness, and connection.

I’m especially interested in collaborations that expand access to trauma-informed care and culturally responsive healing, particularly within Portuguese- and Spanish-speaking communities. As someone who speaks Portuguese and Spanish, I’m able to connect with and support individuals and families across diverse cultural backgrounds, helping to bridge language gaps in mental health spaces.

I also welcome opportunities for workshops, speaking engagements, and community initiatives that promote mental health awareness and accessible healing tools.

If this mission resonates with you, I’d love to connect. You can reach me through my website at [www.reclaimhealing.com] or send me a message on Instagram at [@reclaimhealing]. Together, we can create spaces where healing and growth truly flourish, in every language and culture.

Contact Info:

Image Credits

Myself for most and Eva Higgins Photography for others.

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