Raquel Orejuela

Hi there!

I am a licensed psychotherapist with diagnostic privilege, providing a holistic person first approach. I deeply care about humans and particularly serving the under served, and BI-POC communities. As an Afro-Indigenous / West Indian woman, I understand the vitality of intersectionality and connection to culture in mental health settings. My specific area of expertise is Forensic Mental Health Counseling with an Advanced Certificate in Victimology Studies, and having directly worked alongside individuals who have experienced: domestic violence, sexual assault, child abuse, sex and labor trafficking, hate crimes, and other forms of interpersonal violence. I have worked with a wide range of populations from youth, young adults, adults, and seniors. The main population I served for the last 6 years has been marginalized individuals with SMI/SPMI [serious mental illness] in homeless services including street homeless outreach, shelter, and supportive housing. I specialize in supporting those with PTSD, depression, anxiety, substance use, and other dysregulated / self destructive behaviors.

My approach to therapy is very much rooted in what you need as a client. I deeply believe in the decolonization of western therapy approaches and practices. I am not particularly a fan of the traditional CBT approach which is often the primary modality for many therapists now a days. While I draw on skills and practices from various modalities, trauma informed care, cultural competency and your specific cultural experiences are so important to me. I am not here to ask someone to change their negative cognitions when systems of of oppression, racism, and poverty exist and directly impact people's lives. Instead my approach is for us to begin a healing journey through the use Mindfulness based practices, Art Therapy, DBT skills, ACT, and trauma focused therapies. I particularly specialize in Art Therapy, and MMT [Mindfulness Modification Therapy] which helps clients break free of dysregulated behaviors (substance abuse, binge eating, anger issues, etc.) and build lives that feel more fulfilling and meaningful.

First sessions can be tough! You may have some anxiety booking this appointment, and knowing what to expect is vital to the therapeutic process. The first step may seem easy, but for many people it can be the most challenging one; and that is to just show up! Initial intakes will be a bit more formal than future sessions, as I will take this time to introduce myself, go over consents, complete a bio psychosocial, and most importantly get to learn about you and what your treatment plan goals are. From there each session will be a safe space tailored to your specific goals and needs. A wise therapist once told me "a client having a purpose when coming into therapy is just as important as a therapist's purpose of doing therapy with the client." While you may be struggling with purpose in life, purpose for treatment can be as simple as "I just want a safe space to process," to as complex as "healing from my childhood trauma." My ultimate purpose for all my clients is getting you closer to a life that meets your values, a life feels more fulfilling and meaningful.