I am the Owner and Founder of XAS Consulting, LLC, a company and brand I created in 2003 dedicated to healing and well-being. In January 2020 I launched the Summerville Women’s Mental Health Studio™, a space that offers psychoeducation and therapeutic counseling services to women in the Charleston Tri-County area to improve their healing, mental wellness, and well-being. I specialize in cultural competency and multicultural issues with the Latina, LBTQ+, and veteran women communities. My goal is to promote and improve mental health services that represent my altruism and dedication to social change and humanitarianism in my communities. My studio works with individuals who identify as women. Most of my services are provided in either English or Spanish language in Summerville, SC.
I am a highly skilled professional Clinical Mental Health Counselor (CMHC) who provides flexible, consumer-oriented therapy. I combine traditional psychotherapy with a practical, problem-solving approach that creates a dynamic and efficient path for change and problem resolution. As a CMHC, I have a foundational skill set that is distinct from those of other behavioral health disciplines. I can diagnose emotional and psychiatric disorders and guide clients in the process of living with such disorders. My training in addressing the needs of the whole person and in wellness and prevention qualifies me in integrating health care. I practice a progressive, innovative path to mental health with an evidence-based integrative theoretical orientation. I strive to help my clients achieve lasting change through a culturally competent, balanced, flexible, modern and open-minded approach.
My counseling specialty is mental health and I work with individuals. I address and treat mental and emotional disorders and promote mental health. I am trained in a variety of therapeutic techniques used to address many issues and I help with mental and emotional health issues as well as relationship problems. In addition, I am involved in community outreach, advocacy, and mediation activities. I work closely with other mental health specialists, such as psychiatrists, psychologists, clinical social workers, psychiatric nurses, and school counselors.
As a healer, I am passionate about healing and well-being through the healing arts. As a Multicultural Counselor, I am dedicated to ensuring cultural competency in all of my work. As a social scientist, I explore global cultures and educate people about diversity issues. As an altruistic social entrepreneur, I address pressing humanitarian issues worldwide. As a social change advocate, I raises awareness about the social welfare of all people.
My credentials include a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology from the University of Phoenix and a Master of Science degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling with a specialization in Forensics from Walden University, accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP). I am also a National Certified Counselor (NCC) with the National Board of Certified Counselors (NBCC) and a Licensed Professional Counselor Associate (LPCA) with the South Carolina Board of Professional Counselors. Effective January 18, 2020 my Clinical Supervisor is Barbara Melton (1920 South Carolina).
In addition, I am a member of the South Carolina Association of Licensed Professional Counselors, and the American Mental Health Counselors Association. My professional memberships include Open Path Psychotherapy Collective, Psychology Today, Star Behavioral Health Providers and The Veteran Owned Business. As a military veteran who served in the Air Force and the Army, I attended The United States Air Force (USAF) University Community College of the Air Force, is a graduate of the USAF Military Training Center, the USAF Technical Training Center, and the United States Army Training Center.
I have been serving my community in the helping and healing field in a variety of ways for 20+ years. As an award-winning nonprofit executive, I founded two social change nonprofit organizations, The Get-Right! Organization, Inc. (Get-Right!) In 2010, and You Are Strong! Center on Veterans Health and Human Services Organizations, Inc. (You Are Strong!) in 2011, to effect positive social change through innovative and purposeful advocacy initiatives that serves all communities. Get-Right!’s mission is to educate families, teach children, and support communities about mental health and physical health. Get-Right! was administratively dissolved on September 23, 2016, however, its mission has been folded into XAS. You Are Strong!’s mission is to combat stigma and provide health and human services information to veterans and their families.
Through Get-Right! I am the Executive Creator of the following advocacy networks, which have been disbanded and folded into her XAS projects:
National Hispanic Mental Health Professionals Advocacy Network
National Latina Integrative Health Advocacy Network
National Modern Family Wellness Advocacy Network
National Sexual and Gender (LGBT+) Minority Mental Health Professionals Network
Proyecto Evolve! Latina Girls Collective Action Network
Through You Are Strong! I was the Executive Sponsor of the Borinqueneers Congressional Gold Medal Alliance whose mission was to achieve the Congressional Gold medal for the historic Puerto Rican American 65th Infantry Regiment and served on their Steering Committee. In addition, I was the Executive Creator of the following advocacy networks, which have also been disbanded and folded into my XAS projects:
Coalition of Female Veteran Leaders
National Hispanic Veterans Advocacy Network
Operation She is Strong! Women Veterans Mental Health and Human Services Network
Sexual and Gender (LGBTQQIA) Minority Veterans Advocacy Network
I was appointed to serve as a Special Government Employee of the Advisory Committee on Minority Veterans by the Department of Veterans Affairs. In addition, I was a member of the Charleston SC Tri-County Counseling Association. I was a leader in the American Counseling Association’s Veterans Interest Network and provided disaster mental health services to the American Red Cross for disaster and humanitarian relief efforts.
In 2014, I received the El Diario “Mujeres Destacadas” award in health from La Prensa Newspaper, a premier event and editorial series celebrating native New York Latinas. In 2013, WEGO Health nominated me for The Trailblazer Award for their Health Activist Awards and The Mobilizer Award by the Social Revolucion at SXSW. In 2011 and 2012, L’Oreal Paris nominated me for The Woman of Worth Award. CATALINA Magazine awarded me the 2010 Deloitte Groundbreaking Latina Leader of the Year award for my work that consistently promotes a positive image of Hispanics and their culture, and to promote my accomplishments as one of the nation’s leading Latinas. I was also awarded the Northern Virginia Family Service Special Foster Care Certificate of Approval and Certificate of Appreciation in recognition of valuable contributions as a Therapeutic Foster Parent. I am a recipient of the Campaign Air Force Training Ribbon, the Campaign Army Service Ribbon, the Army Achievement Medal for Meritorious Service, and the Department of the Army Certificate of Achievement for Meritorious Service.
I was featured as a leader on the Fabulosamentelatina.com Success channel and as a Personal Consultant on their advice channel. I was also featured on the AOL Latino Icons channel as a Latina Leader and on Latinas Inspire as an Inspirational Latina. I was named Latina de la Semana by El Tiempo Latino and was featured in the Latinas Today section of Latina Style Magazine. My reputation has attracted media commentary by such outlets as the Sun-Sentinel, Catalina Magazine, and Careerjournal.com/The Wall Street Journal Executive Career Site. I have been sought after to review books written by Hispanic authors such as Profound CrossRoads by Anthony Ramos and Good Night Captain Mama: Buenas Noches Capitán Mamá by Graciela Tiscareno-Sato. For more media information, click here Press.
I have decades of experience in the nonprofit sector where I developed my expertise in the helping field. I developed my skill and knowledge in creating and implementing programs in communities that target social welfare work. My passion for humanitarian and human rights issues began as a child born and raised in New York City, which grew through my volunteerism and altruism.
I left New York and served a military tour of duty with the Air Force Reserve, United States Army, and United States Army Reserve. I was selected to serve in a prestigious position at The Pentagon in Washington, DC where I worked directly for the Brigadier General at the United States Army Research Institute for Behavioral and Social Sciences, Headquarters, Department of the Army, Personnel Programs Analysis Office, and Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff for Personnel. Through that experience, I polished my skills on how advocacy interconnects with humanitarian efforts.
My budding passion for humanitarianism landed me a position at the Academy for Education Development (AED), a nonprofit organization working globally to improve education, health, civil society and economic development, the foundation of thriving societies. At AED, I worked in the Center for Youth Development and Policy Research supporting the Director in their mission to create and strengthen the infrastructure that supports the positive development of all youth.
At the National Coalition of Hispanic Health and Human Services Organizations (COSSMHO) I worked closely with the President and CEO and the Vice President of Policy and Research on a wide range of advocacy issues related to health and human services with Congress, Community Based Organizations (CBOs), the Department of Health and Human Services, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, the Food and Drug Administration, and the National Institutes of Health. I also supported organizational initiatives with the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and other philanthropic foundations on behalf of COSSMHO. I served as COSSMHO’s liaison with other national nonprofit organizations on outreach efforts and for The National Hispanic Health Network, a 30 Community Based Organization HandsNet electronic communications system. I also worked tirelessly to promote the President’s book on Latina’s health, The Latina Guide to Health, a consumer’s health guide for overall health and wellness for Latinas.
My evolution in social change advocacy progressed as I moved on to MANA, A National Latina Organization where I worked with members and chapter leaders on empowering Latinas through leadership development, community service, and advocacy.
Following that, I managed a $980,000 budget at NLGJA, an organization of journalists, media professionals, educators and students working from within the news industry to foster fair and accurate coverage of LGBT issues, and to advance their mission in opposing all forms of workplace bias and providing professional development to its members. There I developed the National and Regional Leadership Development Institutes designed to meet training needs in fiscal management and program development and implementation for NLGJA’s leadership. These series of training ultimately led to the crafting of goals set forth in NLGJA’s Strategic Plan. I was instrumental in acquiring the $100,000 grant from the Ford Foundation to fund this initiative.
I then managed close to a million dollar Department of Labor grant at the National Student Partnerships, an organization whose mission is to combat poverty and expand opportunity for all people in the United States.
I then served as President and Chief Executive Officer of the National Society for Hispanic Professionals (NSHP) where I strengthened NSHP’s infrastructure and solidified NSHP as a viable and noteworthy presence in the Hispanic professional community that includes over 20,000+ members.
I was the Client Services Coordinator/Bilingual Case Manager/Intern Therapist at My Sister’s House, Inc. (MSH). I coordinated client services, provided case management, individual counseling and facilitated counseling groups at MSH, a shelter-based program serving domestic violence victims and their children. I provided referral services, intake, crisis intervention, advocacy, and developed a support services program for MSH. I also provided linkage with community services and coordinated financial assistance services through the Department of Social Services. In addition, I developed support services programs that included life skills training, employment assistance, job skills training partnerships, and needs assessments. I also provided victim advocacy services with the judicial and law enforcement systems, which included court accompaniment, participated in and conducted speaking engagements, health fairs, workshops, etc., and was lead with community resources listing.
I was a Family Support Specialist and Intern Therapist for the Family Strengthening Services program at Carolina Youth Development Center, Inc. (CYDC). I provided home and community-based services to families at risk of child maltreatment. I provided assessment, service planning, short-term counseling, intervention, and development of a family’s resources. Based on family needs, I monitored the family’s progress, conducted home visitations, and provided parent education and community referrals. In addition, I provided child development support, case management, conducted parenting interventions and assisted with family support services.
I was a Bilingual Medical Case Manager for the Emerging Communities program at Lowcountry AIDS Services, Inc. (LAS) . I facilitated support groups, provided bilingual case management services, advocacy, nutrition education, and prevention and education services to the Hispanic, veteran, and sexual and gender minority (LGBTQ+) communities about HIV/AIDS. I provided a client-centered service that linked my clients with medical care, psychosocial and other needed services, such as housing, nutrition, dental care, legal services, support groups, and transportation. I conducted Initial Intakes and Reassessments used to assess the client’s needs, level of care, created Service Plans and reviews ongoing progress. I educated clients about HIV/AIDS, informed them about resources, and listened to and supported clients through an on-going relationship.
I served as AMHCA’s Southern Regional Liaison of the Graduate Student Committee, AMHCA’s Public Awareness, Advocacy and Marketing Committee, and on the board of the AMHCA NC chapter-LPCANC. I served on the Florida Mental Health Counselors Association Military Service Committee, their LGBTQ+ Affirmative Counseling, and Social Justice Committee.
I was a member of ACA’s Florida, South Carolina, and North Carolina chapters. I served as President-Elect of the Florida chapter’s (FCA) Florida Association for Marriage and Family Counseling (FAMFC); was a member at large of FCA’s Florida Association of Multicultural Counselors Division (FAMCD), and of ACA’s LGBTQQIA Affirmative Counseling and Social Justice Committee. I was also a member of ACA’s Counselors for Social Justice Division and the International Association of Marriage and Family Counselors. I was also a member of the National Coalition for LGBTQ+ Health. I was a contributing author for New Latina. I served as a member of the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy’s National Youth Media Campaign’s Partnership Development Expert Panel. I also served on the Senate Republican Conference Task Force on Hispanic Affairs Advisory Committee. I was a participant in the Department of Health and Human Services Substance Abuse Treatment Month Planning Group and the Social Security Administration’s Outreach Planning Group. I was appointed to serve on the Arlington, VA Multicultural Advisory Commission, was a member of the Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation’s Latino Survey Planning Group, served on the Arthritis Foundation’s Speaking of Pain Advisory Council and Diversity 2000 Committee, and was a member of the Women in Military Service for America Memorial Foundation, Inc. I also served on the HandsNet Editorial Board, the Newspaper Association of America’s Diversity Committee, and was a member of the Center for Media Education’s Children Media Policy Network. I also served on the Health Promotion and Disease Prevention Committee of the Consortium for a Healthier Miami-Dade. I served as the Mental Health Officer on the Semper Fidelis Health and Wellness Advisory Board and volunteered for the American Red Cross Service to the Armed Forces program.
I also served on the Sexual Minority Youth Assistance League’s (SMYAL) Board of Directors, served as a SMYAL Youth Group Facilitator, and as an appointed member of the Whitman-Walker Clinic’s Mental Health and Addiction Treatment Services Board of Directors on behalf of SMYAL. I also served on the Bridge Builders Fund Board of the Directors and the Gente Latina de Ambiente Board of Directors. I was a Cultural Competency Trainer for the Mautner Project for Women with Cancer, a member of the Potomac Executive Network, and the Women’s Health and Wellness Network. Other prior professional affiliations include membership in the Alliance for Nonprofit Management, the Greater Washington Society of Association Executives, the American Society of Association Executives and the Florida Society of Association Executives.
Additional Training:
Administrative Specialist, United States Army Training Center
Basic Counseling and HIV Case Management
Basic Military Training and Air Cargo Specialist, United States Air Force Military and Technical Training Center
Benefits Counselor Training for The Benefit Bank of South Carolina
Compassion Fatigue and Fostering Resilience, My Sister’s House, Inc
Family Strengthening Services and Volunteer Case Management Coalition Appropriate Response Program Coalition Training
Foundations of Disaster Mental Health Workshop, South Carolina Counseling Association
Fundamentals of Disaster Health and Volunteer Orientation/Disaster
HIPAA Training
Immigrant, LEP, and LGBTQ Survivors: Advocacy, Outreach, and Service Delivery to Underserved Communities, SCCADVASA
Logistics Management, United States Air Force University – Community College of the Air Force
Medical Case Management Distance Education Series: Basic Counseling
Medical Case Management Distance Education Series: Substance Abuse, Mental Health & HIV
Medical Case Management Education Series
Mid-Carolina AHEC, Inc. Benefits Navigation Training
Parents Skills Training Class and Special Foster Care Citification, Northern Virginia Family Service
Services Overview, American Red Cross
Shanti L.I.F.E. Facilitator Training
Star Behavioral Health Providers Tier 1 Training
Trauma Stewardship In-Service, My Sister’s House, Inc
Victim Service Provider Core Certification Training, SCCADVASA
