Today we’d like to introduce you to Carolina Otero.
Carolina, before we jump into specific questions about your work, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I have loved working with kiddos for as long as I can remember. My first job was as a secretary at an elementary school nearby. It was then when I discovered my love and passion for teaching. Within months I created a dance team in the school and began teaching dance lessons twice a week for children 1st-5th grade.
Soon after, I began my studies at FIU and began working as a teacher assistant. Soon enough, once I graduated with a bachelor’s in Child Development and Early Childhood Education, I began teaching kindergarten. After five amazing and unforgettable years, I began my journey as a Registered Behavior Technician In the applied behavior analysis field!
I finished my Masters in ABA and continued to enroll in a doctorate program to advance my studies and research methods. It has been the craziest roller coaster I have yet experienced, but WOW!!! What a ride! In the midst of all the papers and all my crazy assignments and discussion boards, “My Social Circle Therapy” flourished.
My Social Circle Therapy Inc comes from a very humble vision I once thought about. It then little by little flourished with a bit of help from the 26 year old me at the time. I’m now 28 holy cows where does the time go! When I say “bit,” I’m kind to myself. My friends describe me as a “working machine,” and honestly, that’s exactly how this train got going.
The name “My Social Circle Therapy” was thought out at 2:06 am, to be exact. On a random day of a random month but I vividly remember the time because 26 is my favorite number! It was the last thing I thought about before going to sleep and the very first thing on my mind when waking up.
It was like this lightbulb did a frenzy spin in my head and BOOM! There is, the institution of my dreams, a place I get to call home. A forever home for children who might have felt a little lost but will soon find that pathway and those stairways to “let’s create some great goals and attack them” land. A place to feel safe, to make friends, to engage, but most importantly, to learn the basics. The basics of surviving.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
I can’t seem to remember when the struggle started and when it ended because it has been on a constant loop for the past five years. The road to success opens doors for struggles but a struggle is not a stepping stone unless it has a learning lesson attached to it. I am thankful for the people who have made it hard for me, I’m grateful for the people who said no, I’m thankful for those who didn’t believe I could do it, but I’m more thankful for the people who I once thought I knew but really didn’t. Every stone along the way whether in the way or thrown at me has shaped me into the warrior I have become. God dammit, I’m so proud of myself. If YOU are reading THIS… YOU ARE TOO! English was not my first language, but it’s also not my last. Where are my HISPANICS!
Please tell us about your work.
My Social Circle Therapy is an agency committed to the principles of Applied Behavior Analysis as well as daily living therapy treatment intervention plans to improve not only behavior, but also the quality of life for the individuals we serve, their families, and others who support them. We provide individualized services for those with autism and related disabilities, children and adults, to assist with decreasing challenging behaviors and increasing appropriate behaviors and skill deficits. Our programs are designed to empower caregivers and others involved in the individuals’ lives to support them within their natural routines so they can be successful and self-sufficient.
We provide services across the entire Miami Dade and Broward county in a home, school, and community environments. Our highly qualified behavior analysts, occupational therapist, speech therapist and physical therapist, as well as assistants, receive the support, training, guidance that is needed to not only uphold best practices in therapy but also to ensure a high quality of work lives for all of our team members.
In order to also alleviate everyday struggles and ensure children and adults have a companion to assist them in their everyday life skills. Here at My Social Circle Therapy, we also provide Access to Licensed Mental Health Practitioners who can help you in getting your Emotional Support Animal Letters signed.
What I’m most proud of about this journey definitely has to be the amazing bonds we create with children’s d families worldwide. Although our business is currently local, we receive tons of messages on a daily basis and this has really helped ya develop that sense for the importance of the community, especially our Autism Spectrum Community.
Has luck played a meaningful role in your life and business?
I’m not much of a believer in luck, perhaps because I haven’t been a “lucky” person myself. But I can tell you this, when things start heading a little south… And you might think about giving up. DON’T!! I repeat DON’T. Remember why you started in the first place and move up from there. You might just find a little luck along the way. 😉
Contact Info:
- Address: 133 ne 2nd avenue suite 3503 Miami, FL 33132
- Website: Www.mysocialcircletherapy.wordpress.com
- Phone: 7865066240
- Email: mysocialcircletherapy@gmail.com
- Instagram: @mysocialcircletherapy @TheSleevedTherapist
- Facebook: Facebook.com/mysocialcircletherapy
- Twitter: @The_Sleeved_Therapist
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