Extracurricular Activities
Reading, Researching, Playing games, Solving puzzles
A Little Bit About Me
Born and raised in a small town in Puerto Rico, I came from a family of modest means and dreamed of broader opportunities. With limited English, I joined the Navy at 18 after earning a 4.0 GPA in my first year of university. I later became a wife and mother, graduated Magna Cum Laude with a BBA in 2012, and worked various jobs to support my family. After a divorce in 2017, I rebuilt my life - cleaning hotel rooms and working multiple jobs - before earning a second degree in Healthcare Informatics at Oregon Tech. That led to a role as a Report Analyst, but my own experience with couples therapy and hospital work inspired me to pursue a more meaningful path: becoming a relationship therapist.
Why I Chose Oregon Tech and My Major
After researching every therapy and counseling program in Oregon, I found Oregon Tech offered the most comprehensive program at a reasonable cost. My previous degree here showed me that Oregon Tech stands out for its strong career placement - graduates leave with real opportunities. The support and quality of this program made it the clear choice.
My Influential Professors
My most influential professors have been Dr. Kevin Garrett and Dr. Lara Hoss. Dr. Garrett has always encouraged me to engage critically with the course material and to nurture my curiosity through inquiry. Dr. Hoss was inspiring and she never held back in her constructive criticisms, from which I have learned tremendously. They have both been honest, encouraging, and have shown me what my true potential is.
My Greatest Learning Experience At Oregon Tech
It’s difficult to isolate just one learning experience from the MFT program because, in truth, the entire journey has been transformative. This program has deepened my understanding of psychotherapy and affirmed, in a profound and personal way, that I am exactly where I’m meant to be. I’ve grown both professionally and personally, and I now feel more confident, inspired, and committed to continuing my path in this field.
My Plans After Graduation
After graduation, I plan to work at an agency as an MFT Associate while I pursue licensure. In three years, once I’m licensed and my youngest child graduates high school, I plan to apply to Yale’s psychology PhD program. I hope to work with Dr. Salovey and explore a psychotherapeutic model focused on emotional regulation as a pathway to healing and building resilience against stress and trauma.