What got you interested in healthcare?

I went to college with the idea of becoming a graphic designer and an artist. After getting my Bachelor in Fine Arts I started working as a graphic designer and teaching a couple of college courses. I did not find fulfillment in my career and started considering other options but psychology became a strong contender. I went back to school to get a Masters Degree in Clinical Psychology and combined it with counseling classes to obtain my Professional Counselor License in Texas which is the state where I reside. Initially, I was extremely focused on wanting to work with children and help them develop in the social and emotional areas. I have had the opportunity to do it but I also have expanded my experience to multiple populations. More recently, I have dedicated my time to work with adults only and the majority of them are women. In spite of each woman’s experience being unique, I relate because we have so much in common and the struggles can have similarities. After being in the field for so many years and regardless of who I work with, my intention is to help people live a more fulfilled life even with the daily challenges. Curiosity in the experience of each individual geared towards finding the right tools to change what does not work is the driving force behind my work.

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Is there something that you missed from your own healthcare experience that Iron Health specifically addresses?

I was born and raised in Mexico where during my childhood and teenage years mental health was not discussed nor monitored pretty often. I have suffered from anxiety since a young age and never understood it until I became a mental health professional. I observed how it could be helpful for children to learn about emotions and behaviors to increase their quality of life in their adult years. This interest expanded to adults later on and I started noticing other areas that require our work and attention such as relationships and the impact of our own experiences on them. In collaboration with the OB-GYN providers,  Iron Health identifies symptoms of depression and anxiety through screenings and this allows providers the opportunity to address issues before they turn into more serious conditions. 

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What’s something you wish people knew more about? Or what’s a secret wellness practice that you live by?

I really try to practice what I preach or “walk the talk”. I am intentional about being self-aware and mindful on a daily basis. I identify my emotions and my thoughts and this is especially helpful when my anxiety starts to increase. I recognize the source of it. I can also recognize that I am not breathing at full capacity and when it is time to take some deep breaths and ground myself. Then I reframe the thoughts that are the culprit of the anxiety. I am a firm believer of the positive impact of exercise on our mood. I also would like to add that my faith and spirituality are pretty strong. 

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What makes you most excited about working at Iron Health?

Joining a new team that has a clear mission in mind was the first thing that got me excited about working at Iron Health. I see a lot of value in the collaboration between the OB-GYN practices and the Iron Health team in identifying the patients that can use mental health support and the ability to refer them for services right away. So many people struggle to receive any type of mental health support due to barriers such as providers missing the symptoms, insurance limitations, practices that are full and have a waiting list and not finding the right provider among other reasons. I really believe that the referral represents a great start for patients and we can go from there in identifying the resources, interventions or maybe needs that could be more critical. I believe that this can result in prevention of more significant emotional and behavioral conditions. 

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What does "strengthening the healthcare system” mean to you?

I believe that seeing health in a more holistic way and continuing to increase our understanding of the interactions between the environment, life experiences, and mental health on the physical health of humans is essential. The cost of health insurance is extremely high and developing innovative ways to make it more affordable are needed.. A strong focus on prevention through education and early intervention programs could save people and organizations large amounts of money. Doctors are extremely overwhelmed and see way too many patients per day and a healthy balance is required.  Becoming a medical doctor is a very difficult,  long and expensive process. We also have the business aspect of healthcare as a barrier. I wish we could follow the model of other countries that cover the health of their residents in full. 

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Let’s discuss

I understand that relationships start with small talk and soft conversations but I enjoy talking about deep subjects. I love to hear about people’s experiences and share mine. I enjoy listening to my friends talk about their trips and areas of interest. I appreciate art, traveling, photography, sports, psychology, books, spirituality and culture. I get fascinated by learning how each person got to where they currently are. I believe this is a way of learning. 

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Any funny or embarrassing personal stories that you’d like to share?

A recent one comes to mind. I previously shared that I attend cycling classes, that is my current favorite exercise by the way. After one of the classes I got up to grab the paper and spray to clean my bike which should be customary practice. I take this very seriously!!! Well, I went back to my bike and started cleaning it thoroughly and after a couple of minutes I realized that I was cleaning another bike so I quietly moved back to the bike I was using. I laughed at myself of course. 

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When you’re not working, where can we find you?

I spend most of my free time taking my kids to soccer practice and/or games. I also try to attend gym classes at least four to five times per week. I really enjoy cycling and strength training classes. When I am unable to attend the classes I walk around the area where my kids practice. I am also a long-time bowler but that area has been paused until the kids are more independent and I can fully commit again.. We travel a lot for soccer tournaments. We enjoy going to the movies and swimming. We go out to eat often and with other family members during the weekends.