QUESTIONS? Email me at yanirahernandez@palantetherapy.com or call me at (424) 261-1572
As a proud Brown gal, I’m committed to the healing and liberation of BIPOC communities.
Although my journey in the helping profession began since childhood supporting my monolingual Spanish-speaking immigrant parents, my journey in higher education began at University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), where I earned my Bachelor’s degree in Women’s Studies and Education Studies. There, I realized the transformative power of education and its potential to empower individuals and communities.
My thirst for knowledge led me to the University of Southern California (USC), where I achieved a Master’s degree in Social Work and a Doctorate in Education with an emphasis in Educational Psychology. In addition, I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and I have a Pupil Personnel Services Credential (PPSC). These degrees aren’t just academic achievements; they represent my unwavering commitment to understanding the human mind and the intricate dynamics of our diverse communities.
It takes great courage and strength to seek mental health support. If you wish to move forward and would like to work together towards your healing and journey of self-discovery, please schedule a free 15-minute phone consultation by clicking on the link below:
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Just two doctoras, eldest daughters of immigrants from South Central LA having brave discussions on reclaiming nuestras identidades using intersectionality lenses and deconstructing the imposter phenomenon through critical lenses and naming the experience for what it is… racism. It was important to center the diverse voices of Latine mental health professionals and place responsibility on systemic oppression and colonization. My corazoncito was so full hearing many resonate with our topic and was so appreciative of folx willingness to share their lived experiences. ❤️
I live for these conversations and profoundly enjoy hearing peoples lived experiences on how their uplifting their voices in academic and professional settings. Many of us are in continuous resistance and en la lucha in these spaces. ❤️
Also we unintentionally match and later realized I was wearing Mexico 🇲🇽 colors… when everything aligns✨
En comunidad y agradecimiento,
Dra. Hernández @palantetherapy
#decolonize #imposterphenomenon #impostersyndrome #latinementalhealth #latine #firstgeneration #firstgen #firstgenlatina #latinamentalhealth #systemicoppression #intergenerationaltrauma #intergenerationalhealing #nlpa #conference #highered #highereducation #doctora #southcentral #palante #palantetherapy
Amazing start to @1nlpa conference in Puerto Rico 🇵🇷! My last NLPA Conference was in 2019. Today I attended great presentations and discussions on intergenerational trauma and ancestral wisdom, supporting undocumented/immigrant families, and decolonizing clinical supervision. I’ve met colegxs doing amazing work in the field of psychology and mental health. I look forward to a soulful weekend of more connection y Boricua sazón!
Tomorrow my bestie and I present on the imposter phenomenon among Latinx mental health professionals and improving diabetes management among Latinx youth and families. ❤️
En comunidad y saludos desde la isla del encanto 🇵🇷❤️,
Dra. Hernández @palantetherapy
#nlpa #conference #puertorico #psychology #socialwork #lcsw #decolonizing #intergenerationaltrauma #ancestralhealing #ancestralwisdom #undocumented #immigrants #firstgen #firstgeneration #firstgentherapist #latinatherapist #latinxtherapy #palante #palantetherapy
During Latine Heritage Month I had the absolute honor of presenting to KIPP SoCal Public Schools Counseling Team on the importance of supporting Latine children in system-impacted communities through culturally-affirming, trauma-sensitive interventions in schools. ❤️
Not only did we call out “evidenced-based interventions” that were not initially designed with our gente in mind, but we looked at how we can implement intersectionality, lived experiences, and provider authenticity in therapeutic spaces in schools. Best part, was presenting on my “Pa’delante en Comunidad: Newcomer Youth Support Group” I created while working in schools. Mi corazoncito was fully overjoyed by the feedback, connections I made with counselors, and receiving messages about how they felt inspired to implement their own newcomer group. De veras que estoy tan agradecida 🥹.
Also, when I officially left schools this summer to pursue full time private practice I knew my work with schools and education wasn’t over. However, this time, I get to reclaim and design trainings I wished I had as a school social worker and on my own terms. To anyone navigating the imposter phenomenon and doubting their abilities, this is your sign to go for it! Somos chingones! 🤎
Como siempre mi gente, sigamos Pa’delante!
Dra. Hernández @palantetherapy
#newcomer #k12schools #traumainformed #counseling #pd #kipp #latine #hispanicheritagemonth #southcentral #boyleheights #eastlosangeles #southgate #huntingtonpark #latinxheritagemonth #firstgen #firstgeneration #firstgenlatina #latinatherapist #privatepractice #educator #socialwork #lcsw #palante #palantetherapy
To the Latina daughters who grew up hearing messages from their parents, tíos, tías, abuelos about their bodies being “too flaquitas” or “too gorditas” and now struggle with body image and self love as adults, your worth extends beyond your pants size or how many tortillas you eat. May you heal your inner niña and remind her that she was always beautiful inside and out. May you affirm her that nothing was ever wrong with her. She was perfect that way she was and continues to be. ❤️
I recall hearing messages from tíos about my body since the age of 8 y/o and how I needed to look like for my quinceañera. I continue to heal my inner niña and my inner teen and remind her that she was perfect the way she was 🥹.
En nuestra cultura, we normalize terms of endearment like “Gordita, flaquita,” etc and police our cultural foods (“no comas tortillas”) but instead equate salads as “healthy eating.” Pero ALV! Many of these cultural and societal norms are rooted in colonial ideals and Eurocentric perspectives, machismo and marianismo, on how Latina women should look like.
Amigas, may you reconnect with your bodies, may you shed unhealthy intergenerational messages about your body, and love yourself throughout all the evolutions and life transitions. Somos poderosas! ✨
Con mucho amor y compasión,
Dra. Hernández @palantetherapy
#selflove #amorproprio #intergenerationaltrauma #intergenerationalhealing #latinoculture #firstgenlatina #firstgen #latina #palante #palantetherapy #latinatherapist #latine #jennirivera #reels #reelsinstagram
Sharing un pedacito of the “Rompiendo Stigmas” panel I did on Sunday at @revhhm with my amazing colleagues @luis_thee_lmft, @thefirstgenpsychologist, and the amazing @thereallisavidal. Our moderator, Adriana from @latinxtherapy asked a beautiful question inviting me to share about my experience being the eldest daughter. ❤️
Not included on this clip, but I shared about my experience being the eldest in a mixed-status household where I had to consistently step into a parentified role to support my parents and younger brother due to the environmental factors being impacted by my parents undocumented status.
I also shared how secrecy impacted me as being the eldest and being exposed to grown conversations in early childhood and carrying many secrets from the family that were rooted in trauma.
This was my first speaking engagement where my little brother @eta.jess28 was present and it meant the world to me. We often have conversations where we hold space for each other and talk about my experience being the eldest and his experience being the youngest, especially how he experienced parentification once I left the home. He will always be my hermanito (even if he’s in his 30s) 🥹❤️
Sending so much love and compassion to all the parentified children of immigrant parents. ✨
Dra. Hernández @palantetherapy
#eldestdaughter #parentification #immigrants #childrenofimmigrants #undocumented #mixedstatusfamilies #trauma #secrecy #intergenerationaltrauma #healing #firstgenlatina #latinatherapist #downey #downeyca #revolución #palante #palantetherapy #reels #reelsinstagram #explore
Just two First Gen Latina Therapists holding space for each other 🥹. I’d like to share about my first Reiki experience that I had last week con mi amiga Viridiana from @amartherapy ✨
I sit in deep agradecimiento for my amiga holding space for me and reminding me the importance of taking care of our wellbeing, even as therapists. As we all know, life stays life-ing and it was important for me to lean into my own healing through a holistic approach. Reiki is an energy-healing practice that has roots in ancient Japanese practices for stress reduction and relaxation. It is a form of energetic healing that involves hands-on touch or hands off.
So much came up for me including inner child wounds, maternal wounds, and a recent loss. After journaling and processing, naturally I just released. My tears felt safe with Viri. Gracias amiga, necesitaba este abrazo 😭.
If you would like to know more about Reiki or book a Reiki session, contact Viridiana from @amartherapy @amarte.community.
Fellow therapists, healers, and wellness providers, consider this an invitation to lean into your own healing. No lo merecemos! ❤️
Con mucho amor,
Dra. Hernández @palantetherapy
#reiki #reikihealing #reikihealingenergy #holistichealing #holistichealth #firstgenlatina #latinatherapist #latinxtherapy #latinxtherapist #traumatherapy #innerchild #innerchildhealing #therapy #latinas #palante #palantetherapy #reelsinstagram #réel #reels
