Isabella Cabrera Valencia
Isabella Cabrera is a dedicated mental health professional and certified life coach based in Miami, Florida. She began her career in the health field after earning a Bachelor of Science in Psychology with a chemistry minor on a pre-med track from the University of Miami. Originally on a path toward medical school, her hands-on experience as a chief medical scribe and her growing interest in the mind–body connection inspired her to pivot into mental health and counseling. Since 2023, she has gained experience in a psychiatric out-patient clinic, providing direct patient support and behavioral guidance, and she continues to expand her expertise through a Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Nova Southeastern University. Currently, Isabella works independently as a life coach through The Balanced Coach LLC, helping clients of all ages develop resilience, emotional well-being, and personal growth. Her coaching approach is rooted in neuroscience and evidence-based practices, emphasizing practical tools, self-empowerment, and the mind–body connection. She maintains a small, focused client load to ensure personalized attention while balancing her graduate practicum requirements and ongoing professional development. Her work spans individual coaching designed to enhance structure, wellness, and emotional balance. Isabella’s professional philosophy centers on modeling empathy, discipline, and consistency while equipping clients with actionable strategies to create meaningful change in their lives. Her career journey reflects a strong commitment to addressing the root causes of challenges rather than only the symptoms, and she brings a holistic perspective to mental health and coaching. Outside of her professional work, she engages in community service through volunteer activities and emphasizes ongoing learning in areas such as brain health, perinatal wellness, and holistic self-care.
• Certified Life Coach
• Nova Southeastern University- M.S.
• University of Miami- B.S.
• National Science Foundation Summer Research Program Scholarship
• Florida Medallion Scholars
• Chi Sigma Iota International Honor Society for Counseling Students
• Psi Chi International Honor Society for Outstanding Academic Performance and Dedication to Psychology
• Alpha Lambda Delta Honor Society for Academic Excellence During First Year at College
• Provost Honor Roll 2018-2021
• Dean's List 2018
• 2019
• And 2021
• American Mental Health Counseling Association
• St. Agnes Church
• Miami - Board of Singing Adoration (Mondays)
What do you attribute your success to?
I was going into medical school and while working in a hospital setting for 2 years as a chief medical scribe I've found that I was really passionate about the mind and body connection, and really getting to the root cause of illness, and that led me to shift into mental health.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
One piece of advice that has really stuck with me is understanding that you can't work harder than the client. You can't want something more for them than they want for themselves. I give them the skills, the habits, the tools, and use the techniques, but it's up to them to really incorporate them and practice them and strengthen those skills. If they don't practice them out of sessions with the homework/ activities I assign, then really my work is very limited. There's only so much you can do.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
I remember when I started, sometimes you don't really ever feel ready. Like, right now, I'm also in practicum doing therapy with clients, and you have this imposter syndrome where you feel like you're not ready, you don't have the skills yet, and sufficient knowledge. But it all comes with experience and practice. So just launch yourself, do it. Be authentic. Gain the knowledge. Work towards setting goals and work towards those goals with the clients, meet clients where they are. And everything will flow and follow.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of my main challenges is self-care and balance, figuring out all my responsibilities and making sure I'm working towards my best version so that through modeling an example, I can inspire and mentor others into these healthy habits and creating lasting change through small changes and small habits. Self-care is very important, and it is challenging. It's also challenging, especially when you start, to understand that no matter how much effort you put in and how much you prepare for the sessions and educate yourself to best guide the clients, change really comes when it's from the client. You can never work more than the person who is seeking out the change if they're not working towards it. A lot of my clients are referred from psychiatry, so I help them with daily activities and mentor them to understand that it's their responsibility and they have the autonomy to make the change and have the power to make change in their life, giving them the tools to feel empowered. But at the same time, understanding that it's not my timeline, and I wish sometimes they could achieve more change, but they're just doing what they can to survive.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
I am really inspired by resilience and helping others create resilience and model it through my life. Discipline is a huge one, so when we lack motivation and it's difficult to start, having the discipline and consistency to follow through with the goals you're setting. And I would say empathy is another important value, placing myself in the shoes of others and teaching others to do the same so they understand different perspectives, and that helps with the victim mentality.