We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Angelica Gonzalez a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Angelica, 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?
There are times where you don’t realize that all the experiences in your life lead you step by step to find your purpose. As a young child I was always fascinated by friends who were not the most popular. I would see them and befriend them, these often included those who were adopted, depressed or hyper. I always wanted others to be happy and feel included, even within my own family.
Once I got to college I thought that I would never make it in the field of psychology, mainly because I believed I could not separate my emotions from my clients. While my passion was for helping others, I chose an alternate career —fashion.
I studied the business side of fashion and moved to New York to work in the buying offices at Saks Fifth Avenue. While there, I learned important business ad merchandising principles. When I would come to Miami, my cousin who was working at Miami Children’s Hospital would tell me what she was doing in the psychiatric ward and I was always very interested. I was living in New York and I heard that a propeller plane had hit the twin towers, as we all know it turned out to be September 11 and the plane was not a small one, it was in fact, two planes. That day changed many lives, including my life because all I wanted to do was to help others, but I couldn’t, There was debris on everything, the blood banks were full, there was an overflow of volunteers and nothing that really could be done. I kept thinking about the children of those who passed away in the towers and on the planes.
A year passed and I was asked to interview for a job in San Francisco. This is where I stopped to think that it wasn’t a job change I wanted, it was a life change. I got to New York called my family and in one year I was back in college studying mental health in Miami.
Working with others to help them heal is my purpose. I have been called to help heal the broken-hearted— this means my heart, my family’s hearts, my friend’s heart and my client’s hearts. In my life God has confirmed this as the reason I was placed on the earth at this time.
We may think our purpose is found in work, but the truth is that when God has you walking in your purpose it is seen in all areas of your life. It is a light that shines brightly in every area. As for the thread you see as you walk through life, my heart of compassion was developed as a young girl, understanding other cultures because I lived in many places around the world. Running a private counseling practice, the business sense I learned at Saks has come in very handy, Despite the difficult experience in New York, it taught me about trauma and my 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?
After working in the community for over a decade, I established Eden Therapy Co., a collective of mental health counselors. Working alongside Leslie Denis, LMHC and Marian Rivodo, RMHI we are helping to heal hearts, growing and working together. We see a variety of clients from children to adolescents, to adults, to couples and families. Our goal is to help them heal and shine the light, while bridging the gaps in our clients’ lives.
Each team member has an area of strength,; we use play therapy, psychodrama, EMDR and other specialized counseling techniques that activate both right left brain processing, where deep healing is done. Most recently we partnered with Genesis Hopeful Haven (an agency that focuses on foster care and aged out foster children), have been guests on podcasts, and held a training for teachers at Florida Christian School. We are blessed to see that in two years Eden Therapy Co. has been open we have been able to give back to our community. We are also looking forward to the launch of our updated web site, which provides valuable information and free resources that can help change lives. .
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
1- You have to have a passion for what you do. There is no way you will last long in this field if you don’t love and believe in what you are doing, because this field is demanding and you cannot give up on others … ever.
2- Get the proper supervision and your own therapy. A good supervisor will support you in and out of session ensuring you grow. Likewise, doing your own personal therapeutic work is VERY important, it’s part of self-care and provides you with a solid foundation from where to work. It also helps you empathize with your clients and remain objective.
3- Surround yourself with wisdom and faith. I am blessed with a family who cheers me on. My father has a lot of wisdom from his years in corporate America, and my brother and sister who are also helpful in helping guide me on my way. I also have a group of friends and colleagues who I turn to for support.
Any advice for folks feeling overwhelmed?
When you run a business and have employees and clients who rely on you, it is only a matter of time before things pile up and you feel overwhelmed. The best strategy for me is to remember to take one thing at a time. You can’t really do everything all at once, but if you prioritize, make a list and go one item at a time, you can get though practically anything. Having faith also reminds you that God is always with you and if there is something that is overwhelming you it is ok to give it to him in prayer and know that God’s timing is pretty perfect.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://edentherapyco.com/
- Instagram: @EdenTherapyCo
- Linkedin: Eden Therapy Co, AngelicaLMHC
Image Credits
1. https://www.facebook.com/lizfunezphotography LIz Funez photography 2. http://yesi.fun/ Yesi
