Today we’d like to introduce you to Erika Angulo.
Hi Erika, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I was born and trained as a psychologist in Colombia, but my life took a meaningful turn when I moved to the United States on my own, searching for new opportunities and a new chapter. Like many immigrants, the beginning was filled with challenges, adjustments, and a lot of learning. Throughout this journey, my parents, who supported me from a distance, were always a great source of strength and encouragement. My children, Valeria and Emmanuel, are my greatest inspiration and the driving force behind everything I do.
Years later, my two greatest blessings arrived: my children, Valeria and Emmanuel, who were both born here in the United States. When they were little, I made a very intentional decision to slow down professionally and focus on learning English while being fully present during their early years. Those moments became some of the most formative experiences of my life.
Spending so much time observing, nurturing, and growing alongside my children awakened something profound in me. I saw firsthand how deeply children thrive when they feel emotionally connected to their parents. That realization became the seed of what would later turn into my life’s mission: helping parents strengthen their relationships with their children while promoting the emotional well-being of kids and families.
With that purpose in mind, I decided to continue my professional path in the United States. I went through the process of validating my degree and completed a master’s program that allowed me to obtain my license in mental health. I also became certified in Synergetic Play Therapy, an approach that helps children process their emotions through play while empowering parents to be an active and healing presence in their child’s life.
Today, I lead my own practice, Feelings and Beyond, where we provide psychological therapy for children, adolescents, and families. Our work focuses on strengthening the parent–child bond and supporting the emotional well-being of children and families through therapy, workshops, and educational talks for parents.
I’ve also had the opportunity to collaborate with major Spanish-language television networks like Telemundo and Univision, where I share practical tools about parenting and emotional health. Through my work in therapy, workshops, and social media, my goal is simple but deeply meaningful to me: to help families better understand their children, feel more connected to one another, and create homes where emotional well-being can truly grow. Ultimately, my hope is to help transform generations, one child at a time, which is at the heart of our mission at Feelings and Beyond.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Not at all. Like many immigrant journeys, it has been meaningful, but it has also come with many challenges along the way.
One of the hardest parts in the beginning was starting a new life without a support network. I moved to the United States when I was very young, and my family and closest friends were still in Colombia. Building a life far from the people who had always been my foundation was not easy. Later, raising my children away from my home country also came with emotional challenges. At the same time, it became a beautiful opportunity to truly know them, to grow alongside them, and to build a very deep connection as a family.
Another major challenge was the process of validating my psychology degree in the United States. At that time, there wasn’t much clear information about how to navigate the process, and I often felt like I was trying to figure everything out on my own. There were moments when the path felt overwhelming and I even thought about giving up. But my faith and the support of my family from afar gave me the strength to keep going.
Those experiences shaped me in profound ways. They taught me resilience, patience, and perseverance. Today, that same resilience is something I see reflected in my children and in the way they face life’s challenges.
Because of what I experienced, I also feel a strong desire to support other immigrant professionals—especially psychologists—who arrive in this country with dreams but little guidance. I try to share information and help them navigate the process so their path can be clearer and hopefully shorter than mine was.
Looking back, the road was not always smooth, but every challenge helped shape both my personal journey and the mission that guides my work today.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
Feelings and Beyond is a mental health practice dedicated to providing specialized therapeutic services for children, adolescents, and their families. The practice focuses on helping young clients and their families navigate emotional and behavioral challenges, offering professional support for concerns such as difficulty with emotional regulation, anxiety, depressive symptoms, oppositional or challenging behaviors, and communication difficulties between parents and children.
The clinical approach at Feelings and Beyond is centered on child and family therapy, with a strong emphasis on play therapy-informed and relational interventions that are appropriate for each child’s developmental stage. Therapy sessions are designed to help children express and process emotions in a safe and supportive environment while learning practical coping strategies that promote long-term emotional resilience.
The practice is particularly known for supporting families dealing with emotional and behavioral dysregulation, including children who present with frustration intolerance, defiant behaviors, mood symptoms, and anxiety-related somatic manifestations. A central focus of the practice is improving communication between parents and children to help strengthen emotional connection within the family system.
Feelings and Beyond has been recognized for excellence in service, having been ranked among the top mental health providers in Doral for two consecutive years. In 2024, the practice was listed among the top three mental health providers in the community, and in 2025 it proudly achieved the position of number one provider in the area based on service ratings.
The practice is committed to delivering highly personalized care to each family served. From the beginning to the end of treatment, the primary goal is to ensure that children and parents feel emotionally safe, supported, and respected throughout the therapeutic process. This client-centered philosophy reflects the brand’s mission of providing compassionate and high-quality mental health care that prioritizes the well-being of children and families.
Feelings and Beyond is proud to represent a mission-driven practice focused on helping families build stronger relationships, improve emotional regulation, and foster environments where children and parents can experience emotional safety, healing, and growth.
Do you have any advice for those looking to network or find a mentor?
Finding mentors and building a strong network has been fundamental in my professional journey. My advice is to actively seek out individuals who can provide guidance, share their experiences, and inspire you to reach your goals. Look for mentors both within your field and in related areas, people whose expertise and values align with your vision.
My first mentors were my father, who taught me by example the value of discipline, integrity, and commitment to doing things with purpose. My mother has also been a great source of inspiration; her passionate and positive way of embracing life filled me with motivation and helped instill in me the drive to pursue my goals with determination and joy.
What has worked well for me is being open to learning from a variety of sources, asking thoughtful questions, and showing genuine interest in others’ experiences. Over the past year, I’ve been fortunate to have many mentors and supportive professionals who have helped me navigate challenges and celebrate successes, both personally and professionally. I recommend cultivating these relationships with intention and gratitude, as they can be invaluable in helping you achieve your goals.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.feelingsandbeyond.com
- Instagram: @terapeuta.erikaangulo
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/terapeuta.erikaangulo
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=feelings+and+beyond
