Paola Osorio- Psychologist

16/09/2025

Every stage in a child's life requires different approaches. Every stage brings different needs. It's important to recognize where your child is now, in order to know how to respond to them. Connection and emotional stability are such a strong foundation to building and maintaining a healthy parent-child relationship. 💞💞

14/07/2025

Squizophrenia... The word that defined my academic curiosity and interest. At eleven years old, I reviewed statistics and information about the mental health situation Belize was in at the time. I reviewed that information with my mom, a strong mental health advocate herself, who was due at the CTV3 morning show to speak about her own lived experiences for World Mental Health Day. In those printed pages, I read the word squizophrenia and psychosis and others and I was hooked!
It's a full circle moment for me. I understand what a psychotic disorder is, what esquizophrenia is, and that mental disorders need to be diagnosed with the utmost care to guarantee the patient's wellbeing. Some disorders can seriously disrupt a person's life and can have a more challenging recovery.
Below I'm sharing the diagnostic criteria for schizophrenia to show that there are specific markers that indicate a full disorder. Sometimes individuals may experience one or more symptoms of a mental illness but there are specific indications that point to a disorder. What I mean by this is that these are actual living conditions for individuals and as a mental health professional it is my responsibility to understand what goes into a diagnosis in order to provide professional support and attention.
As a community, we can also be supportive and help in reducing stigma by being mindful of the language we use when referring to mental health and metal disorders. We can make a difference in treating those diagnosed with a mental disorder and their relatives with respect and cordiality as they seek help.
Mental illness doesn't need to be stigmatized, but rather understanding that it is a real and valid condition. Mental health is just as important as other health conditions.

10/07/2025

The importance of kindness 💖

12/06/2025

The most significant reward in this profession is seeing a client accomplish the goals they placed in their first session. 🥹

24/12/2024

All feelings are valid 🥹

Whether you’re feeling joyful or not-so-jolly this year, honor your emotions and remember that you’re never alone in how you’re feeling.

If you need support this season, please check out the mental health resources available for free in our Resource Library (TheMentalHealthCoalition.org/Resources, or link in bio).

24/12/2024

Sending love and care to anyone who isn't feeling their best, or who aren't feeling connected to Christmas. Take the time to check in with yourself and remember to take care of yourself 💚

❤️💚🎄❤️💚

24/11/2024

Sunday reminder to all...
Let's normalize seeking professional help for our mental health 💛✨️

23/10/2024

Be the adult your younger self would look up to...
Today I started a class I've wanted to study ever since I was a little girl. I didn't know it back then, I didn't know this was the word, but I knew. I was about 11 years old, if I recall correctly, and my mom asked me to review some notes with her. She was due at CTV 3's morning show to discuss mental health, for World Mental Health Day. I remember seeing statistics and words I'd never seen before (and I was quite the avid reader mind you). The word 'schizophrenia' stood out to me and stayed with me for many years. This marked the start of my experiences as mental health advocate, volunteer and sparked the love I have for mental health and clinical psychology.
Far before I learned what a psychologist is, far before choosing this career, I had a defining moment. I just remember the itch to know what schizophrenia was. I just wanted to be the one who understood these words and could tell you all about it.
Well... Today marked the official start of my psychopathology class. Today I can say I made my younger self proud. I started the start of completing one of my childhood dreams. (When I get to the schizophrenia class, I'll have come full circle but there's still some classes before that 😊). It's with the same wonder, open-mindedness and academic curiosity I had at 11 years old that I move forward today.
I'm the adult my 11 year old self would've loved. I embrace her and I embrace my present day self. ✨️ 🩷🩷✨️

10/10/2024

Today is World Mental Health Day! 💚💚

This day is observed globally to raise awareness of mental health, gaps, and limitations in accessing quality mental health services, and as an invitation to take care of our individual mental health.

🧠🧠Here are some things I'd like you to know:
✨It's ok to not be ok. It's estimated that 1-in-5 persons will experience poor mental health and need professional help.
✨Seek help! While there is so much stigma and shame surrounding mental health, it is important to seek the assistance of a trained mental health professional.
✨Taking care of our mental health is a lifestyle. Prioritize acts of self-care.
✨ We need healthy support systems in our lives.
✨It's ok to rest and take a break.
✨Healthy coping, like exercise, healthy nutrition, and other forms of self-care are integral to our mental health.
✨Taking care of your mental health is as important as your physical health.
✨Be kind to yourself!
✨Asking for help is a sign of strength, courage and self-love.

10/09/2024

WORLD SU***DE PREVENTION DAY

This day is observed globally to raise awareness on su***de prevention, share resources available and remember those lost to su***de.
Su***de can seem like the only option to someone who feels their pain is too much, who feels their life has lost meaning or who may feel like there's no one cares about them.
Some may never ask for help or might feel ashamed to express what they feel or need.
If you find yourself contemplating su***de, know that it is possible to live a beautiful life without pain, and your life matters. Talk with someone you trust, and ask for help.
If you know of anyone going through a difficult time, reach out and offer help, listen without judgement and try finding resources available for your loved one.
Su***de is preventable. Let's be kind and supportive to those around us.

05/07/2024

So incredibly happy and proud to share my Cédula Profesional 🤗🙌
As mental health service providers, it's an essential part of our practice to be licensed. Our work is to provide safe and ethical spaces for persons seeking to work on their mental health, ensuring that we have followed the necessary guidelines to be licensed.