Her Story
About Sandra
I have been working as a licensed marriage and family therapist for about 8 years, driven by my passion for breaking barriers and breaking stigmas within the Latino community. As a first-generation Latina, this work is deeply personal to me. I provide individual therapy, couples therapy, and family therapy, and I currently work with Aetna Better Health of Illinois as a care coordinator, providing in-home services. About a year ago, I founded my own private practice, Raices y Almas Unidas Counseling, PLLC where I incorporate multicultural therapy along with dog-assisted therapy using my golden doodle, Pumpkin, who is currently in training. I am a member of the Midway Chamber of Commerce here in Chicago and Psychology Today. Most of my current clients have come through word-of-mouth referrals, and they tell me they really enjoy coming in for one hour a week and meeting with someone they feel they connect with. My long-term goal for 2026-2027 is to establish an in-person office and create a community wellness center where people can walk in and attend wellness classes, and I hope to incorporate a mini daycare center so parents can attend therapy while their children are cared for nearby.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Sandra
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to my grandmother. I grew up in a very low-income family. My parents and my grandmother migrated from Mexico back in 1986, I believe, and coming from just a very rural village and coming into a new country, obviously chasing that American dream, I wanted my family, my culture to have the opportunity to build some roots here and grow from those roots, and make something out of that long-term sacrifice that they made, leaving their family behind.
02What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Believe in yourself. Even when people, random people, even when your school counselor, or even when your family members say, you know what, your dream is unreachable? No, it's not. It's possible, but you're gonna want it. You're gonna have to want it, you know? If you find your niche, if you know that you love something, whether it's in the wellness area, whether it's in the early childhood area, or even whether it's just family-oriented culture, languages, whatever it is, you can make something out of that and make yourself stand out. Make it unique. Make it your own. And people will see that, and they will come to you.
03What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the biggest challenges is making yourself stand out. With so many new and upcoming graduates entering this field, yes, I do feel that it's getting more and more rough out there to put out your name. However, if you find your niche, if you know that you love something, whether it's in the wellness area, whether it's in the early childhood area, or even whether it's just family-oriented culture, languages, whatever it is, you can make something out of that and make yourself stand out. Make it unique. Make it your own. And people will see that, and they will come to you. If you don't set yourself apart, it can be a challenge out there.
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