Meet Flora Martinez Vazquez | Bilingual Latina Counselor

We had the good fortune of connecting with Flora Martinez Vazquez and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Flora, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
Florecer translates to flourish or bloom. I chose Florecer because I want people to flourish from within, “florecer desde adentro”. I created Florecer Counseling Services with the Latinx community in mind, specifically Latina women. It is important for me to create accessible mental health services for clients who speak Spanish, Spanglish, English, or slang. I want clients to be able to see me and know that they can connect with me because I look and speak like them. As a latina therapist a large focus of my work is decolonizing and destigmatizing mental health, providing clients with a safe space to heal, address life challenges, self discover. A space where they can feel validated, are able to process their values, traditions and embrace who they are.

How did you get to where you are today business-wise. Was it easy? If not. How did you overcome the challenges? What are the lessons you’ve learned along the way. What do you want the world to know about you or your brand and story?
Getting to where I am today has been a roller coaster. I found my passion for counseling when I was in high school, however I knew that because of my undocumented status I might not be able to fulfill my dream of being a counselor. In 2012 when DACA was introduced suddenly all those doors that were closed became opened, I dared to dream bigger than I ever could. As a first generation college student I struggled my freshman year of undergrad to navigate university, but I looked for help and support. A year before I graduate DACA was rescinded and once again my dreams were in a limbo. Although my future was not clear I was able to graduate and persevere. DACA although threatened continued. I was accepted to grad school, and I was closer to my dream. I had the experience from undergrad to know when to reach out and seek support if I needed. After completing the program I graduated and a year later I obtained my state license and opened my own private practice as Flora Martinez Vazquez, M.S., LPC Associate, NCC supervised by Angelica Tello, Ph.D., LPC-S., NCC. Throughout the years I learn that no matter what I was able to grow, flourish and be resilient. I also learned that there is support for you and people are cheering from the sidelines for your success even when you are not aware. I want my private practice to be seen as a space where anyone can be themselves and know that my support is available. I want the world to know that I am a latina counselor who is passionate about helping the Latinx community.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I would take my best friend to the stockyards to show her around the historic buildings, shops and museums. From there I would take her to the Gran Plaza we could shop a bit, Purchase some elote, have authentic Mexican food with an agua fresca or Coca Cola imported from Mexico and take some dessert like fresas con crema home. We both like to relax towards the end of the day and ending the day at my home seems like the perfect time to catch up.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I want to give a special thanks to my parents, sisters, husband, son, great friend Alice and lastly my supervisor. For the love, encouragement and support I have received and continue to receive throughout my journey as a counselor and business owner.

Website: www.florecercounselingservices.com

Instagram: @florecercounselingservices

Facebook: Florecer Counseling Services

Latinx Therapy: https://latinxtherapy.com/therapists/flora-martinez-vazquez-lpca/

Other: Email: flora@florecercounselingservices.com Psychology Today: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/flora-martinez-vazquez-fort-worth-tx/1113083