Episode 176: FLASHBACK — Healing and Identity: Navigating Dual Cultures and Building a Thriving Private Practice [featuring Jacqueline Garcia]

In this flashback episode, I talk with Jacqueline Garcia of Therapy Lux. Jacqueline opens up about her personal journey as a therapist in private practice, navigating social media, and the importance of authenticity and self-discovery.

Jackie shares some of her struggles in her personal and professional life, specifically about immigrating from Mexico to the United States at 12 years old, and how she has fully embraced her Latina heritage.

Here are 3 key takeaways from this episode:

1. Embrace your authenticity on social media: Jacqueline shares her experience of showing up authentically on social media as a therapist and how it made a significant difference in connecting with clients and building a supportive community. Highlighting your personality and being true to yourself can have a powerful impact on your practice.
2. Find grace in the private practice journey: Starting a private practice can be a scary transition, filled with ups and downs. Jacqueline advises giving yourself grace and space to feel your emotions throughout this process. Remember, everyone's journey is different, and it's important to acknowledge and honor your own path. Jacqueline brings attention to the discrimination faced by individuals who do not speak a language perfectly. She emphasizes that this discrimination is often masked by expectations of perfection, while many people in our country only speak one language and make little effort to learn another. As therapists, we have a unique opportunity to challenge these biases and advocate for inclusivity and understanding.
3. Use slower periods for self-reflection and growth: When facing slower periods in your practice, rather than panicking or doubting your success, embrace the opportunity for self-reflection and evaluation. Take this time to assess your niche, offerings, and personal alignment. Remember, slower periods can be a valuable chance for growth and perspective shift.

Note from Jackie: 

My name is Jacqueline Garcia, and I am a bilingual, Spanish-speaking Licensed Clinical Social Worker with over 7 years of experience working with children, teens, adults, and families. I received my Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from California State of San Bernardino. After completing my B.A., I attended California State University of Fullerton where I earned my Master's Degree in Social Work. My clinical experiences range from mental health outpatient programs, non-profit organizations, field-based community mental health, and private practice. I grew up in Tijuana, Baja California until I was 12 years old. My parents migrated to the U.S. to pursue a better life for me and my siblings. As many of you know, middle school years can be difficult, to say the least. As a teen, I struggled adjusting to a new culture, new language, new friends, new trends, you name it! However, these transformative years made an impact in my life and led me to the path of becoming a therapist.

• Jackie's Website: Therapylux.org
• Jackie's Instagram: instagram.com/therapylux

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***This episode is the 2nd of 10 episodes that All Things Private Practice is re-releasing for 2025. Please enjoy, and we'll be back with new content, resources, and guests in a couple of months.

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