Today we’d like to introduce you to Andrea Almaguer-Botero.
Hi Andrea, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I grew up in Laredo Texas, middle class home. Great and loving childhood and got through my schooling. During my Bachelors I found an interest in psychology but didn’t have much guidance on what to do and how. Im very fortunate to have had great professors who guided me. In 2012 I began my master’s degree in counseling psychology with a bilingual counselor certification from Texas A&M International University in 2016. I completed my clinical hours with the immigrant population and doing family/parenting counseling. I met my husband during graduate program and lived in Puerto Rico for a year. We then moved to Mcallen in 2017, where i worked in refugee centers for undocumented children. It was during this time that I decided to go back to school to get my PhD in Rehabilitation Counseling at The University of Texas at Rio Grande Valley in May 2020. wHEN I graduated I worked in a NICU in a womens hospital in south texas creating and promoting maternal mental health program for years. Additionally, I served as a content expert in a campaign for the American Academy of Pediatric to help NICU’s implement mental health services. In 2021 I moved to San Antonio working for different private practice providing specialized trauma mental health care. In 2022 I opened my own mental health private practice called grounded space and have become trained in EMDR. I currently teach graduate courses in UTSA counseling department.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Struggles have included issues related to being a women and motherhood. However, those have also been the things that have allowed me to connect, be empathetic and better serve these populations.
We’ve been impressed with Grounded Space LLC, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Grounded Space LLC, has many projects and I think will shape into different things through out time. Although it currently provides mental health services, resources and psychoeducation to the public. I hope that it eventually becomes a safe place for vulnerable populations. Grounded Space, was created with the idea to allow people to have a safe space to connect to themselves and others. I envision this business growing into a center that can provide care and wellness care to people. Providing a hollistic and mindful approach to wellness, specifically mental health.
What are your plans for the future?
Im always moving and picking up new challenges. Im trying to find all the tools I need to evolve grounded space into what I hope for.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/groundedspacellc/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrea-almaguer-botero-1a5a1611a
