Today we’d like to introduce you to Pilar Siman.
Hi Pilar, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I’m the daughter and granddaughter of immigrants from Central America, the Middle East, and Spain. Though diverse in origin, my family was united by a deep Catholic faith. I grew up in Miami, attended Catholic schools, studied at Georgetown University, and spent a year volunteering with religious sisters in a rural South American community.
Inspired by Catholic Social Teaching, especially the call to serve the marginalized, I earned a Master of Social Work at Columbia University. For over 15 years, I’ve worked as a therapist supporting immigrants, women, and LGBTQ clients. More recently, I founded Your Story Services, a practice that offers mental health therapy, spiritual direction, community workshops, digital advocacy tools, and clinical supervision for emerging social workers. My goal is to create compassionate spaces where people feel seen, heard, and spiritually supported.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
In my early 30s, I faced a crisis of faith. As a therapist, I worked with LGBTQIA clients, many from Latino and Caribbean Catholic families, who were rejected by their loved ones and faith communities. I witnessed the trauma caused by conversion therapy, exorcisms, and family estrangement.
At the same time, I struggled with the Church’s exclusion of women from ordained ministry. As a mother of two daughters, it became painful to watch them experience a Church that didn’t reflect their full worth. When one of them asked, “Why can’t girls be priests if we love Jesus too?” I knew I had to wrestle with my place in the Church.
Seeking guidance, I looked for a female spiritual director and eventually enrolled in a three-year Spiritual Direction program at St. Thomas University. Through that experience, I discerned a call not to leave the Catholic Church, but to stay and work for change. I became involved with Discerning Deacons, a movement advocating for the restoration of women to the diaconate and committed myself to building a more inclusive Catholic Church.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Your Story Services?
After 15 years as a mental health therapist, I launched Your Story Services to integrate my experiences in mental health, spirituality, and advocacy. My mission is to empower women, immigrants, and LGBTQ individuals to feel seen, valued, and loved by God. Through one-on-one spiritual direction, community workshops, and digital resources, I help people reflect on where God is calling them, and how they want their story to unfold.
Spiritual Direction: As a trained Spiritual Director, I help people notice where God/the Divine may be working in their life. If you are trying to become closer to God or discern what path God may be leading you towards, Spiritual Direction is a great place to start. Alternately, if you are in a place where you are struggling with your faith, whether because of difficult life experiences or because of teachings within your religion, Spiritual Direction is also a great place to explore these questions.
Community Workshops: When I worked at the FIU Counseling Center, I led a team that started a mental health workshop program that has served thousands of students. I have taken what I learned running these workshops and created my own interactive in person and virtual workshops. These workshops cover a range of mental health and spiritual topics and provide a space for skill-building, reflection, and community connection.
Digital Tools: A current focus of mine is creating Spanish-language videos for Latino parents, offering guidance on how to lovingly support LGBTQ children. I started this project because although there are a lot of resources for families of LGBTQ individuals, most are in English. To create these videos, I read books on LGBTQ Catholic Ministry, review mental health research and consult with LGBQT Latinos and parents.
What sets Your Story Services apart is the intersection of psychological insight, lived experience, and spiritual grounding. Whether through personalized guidance or community workshops, I help people connect with their inner voice and with God.
Do you have any memories from childhood that you can share with us?
One vivid memory is standing at the edge of the Pacific Ocean in El Salvador, holding my father’s hand as he taught me how to navigate the powerful waves. “Choose a reference point,” he’d say. “When the current pulls you, look for that point and walk back toward it.” For me, that point was always a brightly colored Salvadoran towel on the beach, a symbol of safety and home. Today, my faith serves as that towel. In a world of spiritual and emotional currents, I hope to help others find their own reference points, especially those who feel lost, rejected, or uncertain. Through Your Story Services, I want to remind people that they’re not alone in the ocean. God is always near, ready to take your hand.
Pricing:
- Complementary Spiritual Direction session
- Bilingual (English/Spanish) offerings available.
- In person and virtual sessions available – Office in Coral Gables
Contact Info:
- Website: https://yourstorymiami.com/
- Instagram: @Yourstoryservices
- Facebook: https://web.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61571814645485
- Other: yourstoryservices3@gmail.com
Image Credit:
Waleskis Giraud
