Today we’d like to introduce you to Venessa De La Cruz.
Hi, Venessa. We’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, can you briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
Although I knew from a young age what I wanted to do, becoming a therapist wasn’t as clear cut as one would think. As I filled out college applications, I chose engineering as my major. How does a person who knows she wants to enter Psychology become an engineering major? My parents had an obvious idea of what kind of career they wanted for me, and I initially tried to adhere to that idea. However, after nearly failing out of college, I realized that to be successful, I needed to start again and pursue the passion that I had since I was 13 years old. I finished my Bachelor’s in Psychology nearly 8 years after I started college and then went straight to graduate school. I graduated with a Master’s in Social Work and began working in community behavioral health. After five years working in community behavioral health and welcoming our first daughter, I changed direction and began working for group private practices. Shortly after our second daughter was born, I re-evaluated what would work best for me and my family. I decided to take the risk of opening my private practice. And I haven’t looked back. Never in a million years would I have told you that I would own my own business, but it was the path I needed to create to both do the work that I love and be the kind of mom I wanted to be. I love that my girls see that it is possible to do what you love and build your own business.
We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Not in the slightest! Remember the engineering major? I quickly knew that I did not have the brain for that degree and spent the next 2 years taking classes in various majors that I thought would be a better fit and still make my family proud. None of them worked. I hated school then but did not want to disappoint my family. I was the first of my family to go to college, which was a pressure I took seriously. After graduation from graduate school, my husband and I dealt with infertility and a failed adoption. So here I was in a field that I loved but also dealt with so much grief in my personal life. Why couldn’t it just all line up? What I know now is that I was on the road that was meant for me. It wasn’t the easiest or the smoothest road, but it was my road to walk, and I am so grateful that I did.
As you know, we’re big fans of Ignite Hope Counseling, LLC. For our readers who might need to become more familiar with the brand, what can you tell them?
I have a solo therapy practice in Gilbert, AZ. My specialties are complex trauma, PTSD, religious trauma, and grief. I am certified in two trauma modalities- EMDR & Brainspotting. I also use Structural Dissociation, Internal Family Systems, and other mindfulness skills in my practice. My clients are adults who want to heal from their early childhood traumas, which include religious trauma, relational trauma, and developmental trauma. I also specialize in grief and those experiencing higher levels of dissociation. One of my passions is helping parents achieve healing so that the relationship with their children can be different. I am excited to be able to share that in 2024; I will be adding workshops for parents, as well as adding EMDR and Brainspotting Intensives to my offerings.
Are there any important lessons you’ve learned that you can share with us?
The most important lesson I have learned is that no matter the bumps in the road, stay the course of what you believe is your path. I cannot imagine doing anything else. My 18-year-old self was so worried about disappointing her family that she was willing to go down an unhappy, unsuccessful road. She didn’t know that they would be proud of her regardless and that being proud of herself would trump it all.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.ignitehopellc.com
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/emdrsocialworker
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/venessa-de-la-cruz-025b67132
- Other: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/venessa-de-la-cruz-gilbert-az/247718
