Today we’d like to introduce you to Ingrid Hernandez.
Hi Ingrid, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I was born in Cuba and immigrated to the US with my parents when I was six years old. As a child, I was always curious about people and their backgrounds, their stories, and what makes them “tick.” Throughout high school, I found my passion in psychology through a project we were assigned. Much like today, in school I was ambitious, motivated, and goal-driven. We were tasked with a project to interview individuals who have overcome challenges in their lives. Never shying away from a challenge, I decided I would find a Holocaust survivor and interview them. I did research, called the Greater Miami Jewish Federation and quickly got in contact with a Holocaust survivor. This is the moment that solidified what I wanted to spend the rest of my life doing: listening to others.
I completed my Bachelor’s degree at Florida State University in Psychology and initially wanted to continue on to a PhD program in Clinical Psychology. After being rejected by every university I applied, I went on to pursue a Master’s Degree in counseling psychology from University of Miami. During my program and after graduating, I have worked with different populations ranging from children, adolescents, men, and women in many settings such as foster care, community mental health, substance abuse and rehabilitation, and correctional facilities.
Last year, I decided to start my own private practice. At what seemed to be the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic, I saw the need for mental health services and launched myself headfirst into the world of business. A few months after, my caseload was full. I provide online therapy services (telehealth) and I have been fascinated by how receptive clients have been. Through virtual appointments, I have seen clients get better right before my eyes. There is no greater joy for me than seeing clients not just living their lives but thriving. I am passionate about mental health wellness and aspire to continue helping others.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
“A smooth sea never made a skilled sailor” is definitely the quote that comes to mind. While owning a business has not been a smooth road, I am grateful for the lessons I continue learning daily. Some of the struggles along the way include building a caseload from scratch, developing a business model, learning about best practices, rewiring my clinician brain to think like a business owner too, listening to tons of podcasts from successful practice owners, and many more. When I decided to pursue insurance paneling and credentialing, there were many moments when I wanted to give up but something just kept telling me to fight. Impostor syndrome is real, and I’m glad it’s a topic that has gained more spotlight recently. I teach my clients how to manage impostor syndrome while trying to remind myself of these tactics. The biggest struggle is that those around you expect your mental health to be in wonderful shape when you’re a clinician, but acknowledging when we need a break and when we need to seek therapy is the key to stop the negative cycle before you burn out.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Therapy Talk?
Therapy Talk is therapy with a twist. What’s the twist? It’s therapy for everyone, online and from the comfort of your space. Online therapy has opened up a world of possibilities and greater accessibility. It has eliminated barriers from the past like having to sit in traffic, not having enough time for therapy, and distance/commute issues.
I’m a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) and I see clients throughout the state of Florida. I help those struggling with anxiety, depression, and life in general. I specialize in trauma and substance abuse. I offer services at peak hours such as evenings (after work) and weekends.
I am not a clinician looking to “fix” you because you’re not broken. Instead, together we’ll embark on a journey where I will (virtually) hold your hand as you navigate through the challenges in your life. The past is present. So often times, we will have to visit those memories that can bring up some of the ways we’re responding to life today.
I am most proud of the diversity in clientele I have been able to achieve. My ultimate goal is to create a safe space for ALL my clients, something perhaps they have not had before. My caseload includes clients from all walks of life and cultures which keeps me motivated to be a culturally responsive clinician. Meeting people where they’re at and understanding where they come from lays the foundation for the important therapeutic alliance we will create.
What sort of changes are you expecting over the next 5-10 years?
In the next 5-10 years, I believe (and hope) mental health services will be more attainable, available, and sought. This excites me as I have been able to see the shift already from stigma to more awareness. We must continue having these conversations and reducing the stigma of going to therapy, seeing a psychiatrist, taking medication, etc. Unlike previous beliefs, reaching out to a professional for help is not a sign of weakness but actually a strength. Telling someone “you should go to therapy” shouldn’t carry the negative connotation it currently does.
As far as my business, I hope to grow and add clinicians to my practice in order to help more clients. I want to be able to empower other therapists and mentor them as they grow their practices with guidance. My goal is to shift from providing mental health care to clients to also provide support for others wanting to have a private practice.
Contact Info:
- Email: contact@therapytalkflorida.com
- Website: https://therapytalkflorida.com/
- Instagram: therapytalkfl
- Facebook: therapytalkfl
Image Credits
Graciela Valdes Photography
