Today we’d like to introduce you to Glenda.
Hi Glenda, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
Since I can remember, I’ve been a helper and a strong advocate for those experiencing injustices. I was the friend others confided in and sought out for advice. I never really thought about becoming a therapist until around 2008 or 2009. I had been in the military for about four or five years when I started noticing the alarmingly high suicide rate among service members; that’s when a spark was born to help others through a mental health path.
I had faced adversity myself and went to counseling, which was both healing and life-changing. I thought that since I was in the military, service members would be more likely to trust or connect with me, and that I could make a difference. I applied and was accepted into the graduate social work program at the University of Kansas. My goal was to work for the VA; unfortunately, I never got the chance.
My clinical practicum ended up being at a community organization that served victims of crime under a grant program. They worked with a large number of immigrants, primarily Spanish-speaking, and since I’m a native Spanish speaker, I was immediately given a significant caseload even as an intern. I started working with some heavy trauma cases and truly enjoyed the experience. It was incredibly rewarding to see people heal and to walk alongside them through their journey.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
The journey has had its ups and downs. School was fairly easy academically; balancing a job, academics, the military, internship, family, and some semblance of a social life was the challenging part. Working in community mental health was not easy either. It’s an environment where burnout can happen quickly, and if people don’t maintain a healthy work-life balance, it can become draining and start to affect their own mental health. The need is high and the resources are limited. Wanting to help everyone but not always being able to can feel powerless and defeating.
Taking on heavy trauma cases can take a toll if you don’t care for yourself as well; having limits and boundaries is necessary, but it’s still hard when you want to help everyone. This is something I still struggle with at times. It was especially difficult in community mental health because it often felt like you were expected to see everyone. Things are easier now in private practice, where I have more control and balance.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Reflections Counseling?
Reflections Counseling, LLC is a bilingual, trauma-informed private practice dedicated to providing compassionate and culturally responsive mental health care. I specialize in working with survivors of trauma, including those involved in immigration and legal cases such as U-Visas, T-Visas, VAWA, and psychological hardship evaluations. I have a passion for working with veterans, service members, and their families. I work with individuals experiencing PTSD, anxiety, depression, and major life transitions, using approaches such as EMDR, CBT, ACT, and mindfulness-based therapies.
What sets Reflections Counseling apart is the personal connection and depth of understanding that I bring into the therapeutic process. As both an immigrant and a veteran, my identity is woven from multiple worlds. I carry the discipline and sense of purpose that military service instilled, along with the cultural richness and perspective of my heritage. These experiences have deepened my empathy and ability to connect with those who have faced hardship, transition, or loss, finding strength in resilience and meaning in adversity. My approach is relational, grounded, and human; I walk alongside my patients through their healing journey, not ahead of them.
Brand-wise, I am most proud that Reflections Counseling has become a trusted space for people who often feel unseen or unheard. The mirrored name, Reflections and Reflexiones, represents my commitment to bridging cultures and honoring the stories of both English and Spanish-speaking communities.
At Reflections Counseling, healing is not about perfection or performance; it is about growth, authenticity, and self-compassion. I want readers to know that my practice offers more than therapy. It offers understanding, respect, and hope for those ready to reflect and heal.
What matters most to you?
Workwise, What matters most to me is that people have access to care and feel safe when they reach out for help. I want them to find a space where they are truly seen and heard, a place free of judgment and full of understanding. Many people come to therapy during some of the most vulnerable moments in their lives, and it is deeply important to me that they feel supported and hopeful. Creating a space that fosters trust, compassion, and healing is at the core of everything I do.
Outside of work, what matters most to me is having my loved ones around and knowing that they are healthy and able to experience happiness in whatever way they choose.
Contact Info:
