Who I am
Educational and professional journey
My name is Andrea Salazar-Nuñez, Ph.D. and I am licensed psychologist. I am also a first-generation college graduate and the first in my family to complete a graduate level degree. I am Chicana/Mexican-American and identify with my Mesoamerican roots and acknowledge and embrace the multicultural values that have been taught and modeled for me in my family and community. I have acquired many experiences through my education and training that speak to my values as a social justice focused clinician.
I received my undergraduate degree at California State University Los Angeles, one of the most diverse college campuses in California. I also began my training in research at CSULA and completed a thesis entitled “Maria Paradox:” Examining the Influence of Marianismo and Womanist Identity on Academic Persistence Decisions” and received my M.A. in general psychology. I was then offered an admittance to a large research-one institution that took me out of my cultural comfort zone and deep into the world of academia. I received my doctorate in counseling psychology with a minor in racial/ethnic issues in psychology at the University of Wisconsin - Madison.
The doctoral program at the University of Wisconsin - Madison was ranked #2 in the nation when I entered the program and generally stays within the top 4 counseling psychology programs in the country. My time at the University of Wisconsin - Madison provided many rich experiences to build my expertise and complete my dissertation entitled “An Exploratory Study of the Impact of Acculturative Stress on Wellness and Mental Health Practices of U.S.-born Latinas”. I developed my style of practicing therapy and developed my consultation and supervisory skills in that doctoral program as well. I have worked in a psychiatric setting, multiple university counseling centers, and a community mental heath facility. I completed my professional APA accredited internship at California State University Long Beach were I fully embraced the diversity and developed my expertise as an outreach coordinator and consultation professional.
I also hold an educator position at the University of Washington and provide DEI&B education to faculty and staff in addition to my private practice.
Social Justice Values
I am a multicultural therapist and make an effort to hold space for my diverse clients by understanding and empathizing with their worldviews. I also frequently work on building my cultural competence by engaging in different communities, completing trainings, and actively doing my part in creating change in the institutions and world I am a part of. I believe its important for a client to feel safe, heard, and respected in the therapeutic space so healing can be the top priority. I also believe its the job of the clinician to seek education in the gaps of knowledge they become aware of and not expect the client to teach the clinician about their culture or identity.
I also keep in mind the western and mainstream history of therapy and psychology and understand it may not be congruent with all individuals and cultures. Therefore, I make an effort to integrate healing practices and appropriate referrals to support a holistic approach to therapeutic goals, within appropriate legal and ethical standards.
Clinical Orientation
I believe people change by increasing their psychological flexibility and becoming aware and understand their values and identity. Therefore, I approach my work as a multicultural Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) therapist, that utilizes interpersonal processing to engage with my clients. I also include psychodynamic considerations when conceptualizing and understanding clients.
Essentially, I believe that our values are important in how we can best live our life. If we ignore them and get “stuck” in mind or even in our lifestyle choices we may develop unhealthy ways of coping, including avoidance, anxiety, and depression. Becoming aware of our values and the various aspects of our identity we may be able to clearly make decisions and build a life that is more enjoyable and reduces or eliminates unhealthy coping tendencies.
I was trained primarily as a generalist and have provide care for a wide variety of presenting concerns. However, I have always focused on seeking out education, training, and non-traditional ways of wisdom to build an approach to my work that centers the healing of racial trauma that underlies many or even most presenting concerns.
Education
B.A. Psychology, California State University Los Angeles
M.A. General Psychology, California State University Los Angeles
Ph.D. Counseling Psychology, Minor in Racial/Ethnic Issues in Psychology, University of Wisconsin - Madison
APA Pre-doctoral Internship - California State University Long Beach
Clinical Approach
Multicultural/multiracial Worldview Lens
Conceptualize from an ACT perspective
Engage clients from and interpersonal processing approach
