More on Margot

The story.

I was born in Mexico City and moved to San Diego, CA when I was about 2 years old. Yes, I’m Latina, loud and proud! Growing up, I struggled to understand who I am. I felt like I had two identities—the one at home with family, and the one in the outside world. I found it difficult to understand and differentiate who I wanted to be versus who my family of origin wanted me to be. There were so many unspoken rules and expectations that sometimes it felt like I had to follow a “script” of what my life had to be like. If I deviated from what was expected of me, shame and guilt overwhelmed me. Struggling with those polarities, I started to become very anxious. I started to feel “not enough.” So, I dove into academics and volunteer work to find my voice and pride. I learned that I am a very empathic person that wants to help others. I quickly realized that I wanted to become the person that I wish I had. Through my journey with therapy and experiencing what it did for me, I knew that it was my life calling to become a therapist and create the space needed for healing and growth for others.

As I continue to walk through life, I realize more and more that there are so many layers to us. The way we see ourselves and how we see the world has the ability to change. It’s fluid throughout life. There are some variables that influence us, like who we surround ourselves with, our values, our beliefs of ourselves and others. And there are also some variables that are fixed and that is based on our core energy and inner light. I’ve realized that we all live in a unique space where parts of ourselves are privileged while other parts of ourselves are marginalized. My hope is that I’m able to help you reconnect with your voice and inner light and support you in the development of your best self.

I truly believe that, as humans, we have to feel it to heal it. I love Christine Caine’s quote: “Sometimes when you’re in a dark place, you think you’ve been buried. But actually, you’ve been planted. Grow!” If you think about it, even the giant sequoias, the biggest trees in the world, all started off as seeds. I love the process of therapy and being a therapist. It’s such a privilege to walk alongside you. My hardships and experiences had led me to this place and time, to support you in your journey. This process is inwards and influences the outwards. I love this work. It’s my life’s calling. 

We all have that spark inside with the potential energy to drive the self-actualization process. It’s in our nature. It’s part of the human experience. My hope is that we can step past the barriers and fears that inhibit our natural growth process. Because truth is, limits only exist if you believe in them. Though we’ve all had our breakdowns, together, we can have breakthroughs.

My training.

I attended Chapman University where I received my Bachelors of Arts in Psychology in 2015. Then I went to Alliant International University where I graduated with my Masters of Arts in Marriage and Family Therapy in 2017.  I’m a dually licensed marriage and family therapist in both Texas and California. I have worked in the San Diego County System of Care since 2017 with a community mental health agency. As a bilingual therapist, I worked with communities in San Diego with people from all races, ethnicities, and cultures. I have experience working with youth and families, and provide therapy in English, Spanish, and Spanglish! I’ve held several positions in my previous agency starting as a therapist, then as Lead Clinician, and then as the Assistant Program Manager. Being mindful of culture and the dynamics of family systems, I enjoy to work with people from all walks of life, cultures, orientations, and identities. I have provided supervision and trainings to staff and the San Diego community. My partner and I moved to Houston in April 2020 and as a therapist with Modern Therapy, I’m thrilled to continue expanding myself within our diverse Texan community.

I love to incorporate a cultural lens in my therapeutic approach. I think that our culture, race, ethnicity, religion, values, and expectations play a big role in how we see ourselves, how we see the world, and how we show up in the world. That’s why I have dedicated time and practice in going through the Cultural Competency Academy training. I love to explore how cultural factors play a role in your life and in your relationships. They make up parts of our identity and paint our filter of how we see and understand life. That’s important to me and I want to learn more about what feels congruent and aligned with you.

My commitment.

Our relationship is going to be the foundation of your therapeutic experience. That’s why my commitment to you is to create a safe space, free of judgement, free of opinions, free of any assumptions. I want you to feel comfortable to tell me anything and everything. Trust and commitment is key. I want to learn about you, understand your story, and understand your lens. I’m dedicated to and passionate about all my clients. I’m committed to help you get to your goals. This isn’t a race nor is there a “right or wrong” way to therapy. This is your time, your experiences, your life! I will foster the right environment and guide you towards your desired goals and reach your fullest potential. I’m excited for us to heal, grow, and thrive!