Southwestern College Santa Fe, NM
Early on in my graduate internship at a family counseling agency, a supervisor told me, “We have the best jobs in the world, for we get to witness, hold and create change.” I remember being pulled by those words, but I do not think I truly understood what they meant, and I am still unraveling their power. I don’t remember the first moment that I decided to fall in to the field of therapy. Growing up in Santa Fe I was exposed to the culture and beauty of this city, but also to its pain and its suffering. When I came back to Santa Fe after earning my undergraduate degree, I knew that I wanted to do something for this community that I so love.
I have worked and lived in Santa Fe since I returned here after college nine years ago. When I first returned I worked for a 
lawyer. Then, I found a job working with at-risk youth in the Santa Fe Public schools. This work led me to pursue further training, eventually leading me to Southwestern College.
Becoming a therapist has helped me to serve my community. I am a trauma therapist, and my role is sometimes to hold hope for others when they cannot do so themselves. I have practiced therapy for the past three years at Solace Crisis Treatment Center where I continue to learn about the power of resilience and hope.
I am bilingual; my family heritage is from Chile. Language has been a way for me to connect with the diverse community of Santa Fe. I am also a wife to a wonderful partner who is constantly challenging me and encouraging me grow. I am a singer and a passionate music lover.
Perhaps what I find to be most true of all of the roles and interests that help create me: I am constantly learning — learning from my loved ones, my clients and my students.
Denise taught Practicum II in counseling in the first quarter of 2017 at SWC.
About the Moderator
You must be logged in to post a comment.