Today we’d like to introduce you to Catia Hernandez Holm
Hi Catia, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
Therapist. It was the first thing I wrote down on my grade school questionnaire when asked, “What do you want to be when you grow up?” But life took me on a winding path before I found my way back to that calling.
My first career was managing high-end restaurants and bars, where I developed leadership skills and learned the art of connecting with people from all walks of life. While I thrived in that environment, deep down, I knew there was something more I was meant to do—something more personal, more meaningful.
Trusting my heart, I took a leap and wrote my first book, The Courage to Become: Stories of Hope for Navigating Love, Marriage, and Motherhood. Writing a book, publishing it, and getting it into the public was a transformative experience. It taught me that I could set my sights on a goal, be derailed, and keep going. The three years it took to write, edit, and publish the book taught me that patience is a key ingredient when creating.
Being an author and having my book on the shelf at Book People(!), next to authors I had always admired, among other respected bookstores, opened doors to public speaking and eventually led me to TEDx.
Writing and speaking connected me with so many incredible women, and I quickly realized how much I valued these connections. These women, their stories, and their strength taught me so much about resilience, vulnerability, and the power of community.
In those moments, I felt a true calling to serve others on a deeper level. That desire to be of service drove me to become a Certified Conscious Parenting Coach, where I learned how when one person decides to heal their wounds, it can transform their family system. Right away I knew I was on my path, and I wanted a more profound knowledge and resource base for my clients. So at 37, I applied for graduate school, and in 2020, I went back to school to earn a master’s in marriage and family therapy.
Balancing my family, career, and studies was difficult, but my commitment to helping others heal pushed me forward. While I was in graduate school, I felt the call to write again, and A Gentle Return: A Mother’s Meditations on Embodying Fulfillment, Pleasure, and Worth was the answer to that call. Writing it was quite the creative experience, and finding out it was a #1 bestseller was the cherry on top.
Now, as a trauma-certified marriage and family therapist associate (LMFT-Associate under the supervision of Susan Gonzales LMFT-S, LPC-S), I combine all of my experiences—from my coaching background to my years of public speaking—to help individuals and families break cycles, find peace, and embrace their authentic selves. Every step of the journey has taught me that following my heart, being of service, and connecting with others creates lasting change.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
My journey has come with challenges, especially when balancing my family, career, creative work and sleep!
There were moments when I felt stretched thin, but asking for support from my friends and family and staying dedicated to my why—helping women feel good about who they are and why they are—kept me in the game.
Through every challenge, I’ve grown stronger and more resilient. I’ve learned to trust myself and the journey more deeply. I know that things will get done, I just don’t always know how and I’ve learned to make peace with that. Reflecting on the last few decades, I see how each challenging experience has shaped me.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I’m a Marriage and Family Therapist Associate, a Certified Conscious Parenting Coach, and an author specializing in trauma, family systems, and intergenerational healing. I work with teens, individuals, couples, and families, helping them break cycles, heal from anxiety and depression, and navigate life transitions.
Professionally, I’m known for my creative work as the author of the #1 bestselling book, A Gentle Return: A Mother’s Meditations of Embodying Fulfillment, Pleasure and Worth, and my debut book, The Courage to Become: Stories of Hope for Navigating Love, Marriage and Motherhood — as well as my compassionate, trauma-informed approach with clients. I integrate Conscious Parenting principles with evidenced-based practices to help clients deepen their relationships and embrace their authentic selves. My work is all about empowering people to heal and grow in a way that feels true to who they are.
Personally, I’m known as the mom of two fun, creative, brilliant girls. I’ve been married for 11 years to my handsome husband, Anthony, and I am proud of the life we’ve built together. My main focus has always been raising two kind, loved, and loving girls and showing up for my family in the best way possible. Raising our girls and cultivating a strong and loving family has been my greatest creative endeavor and the foundation from which I can explore and thrive professionally.
I’m proud of the meaningful connections I’ve built with the women and families I’ve worked with over the years. Seeing them step into their power, transform their lives, and break free from trauma fuels my drive. It has been a privilege to walk with them through some of their most challenging moments, and witnessing their resilience brings me so much fulfillment.
What sets me apart is my unique blend of experience—spanning hospitality, speaking, writing, coaching, and therapy. I bring together the skills I’ve honed across all these disciplines to offer a truly holistic, compassionate approach to healing. My private practice, Bright Light Marriage and Family Therapy, is a private, peaceful setting in Wimberley, Texas, where I’ve created an immersive, nurturing experience. I’m humbled and grateful that I can offer a safe space for people to heal with personal touches that allow my clients to feel heard and supported at every step of their journey.
So, before we go, how can our readers or others connect or collaborate with you? How can they support you?
Let’s work together!
I offer individual, couples, and family therapy at my private practice, Bright Light Marriage and Family Therapy in Wimberley, Texas, as well as virtual sessions for those who need more flexibility. If you’re looking for guidance and live outside of Texas, I offer virtual coaching designed to help parents deepen their connection with their children and break unhealthy patterns. My goal is to provide a safe, compassionate space where healing and personal growth can thrive.
Support My Work
My books, A Gentle Return: A Mother’s Meditations on Embodying Pleasure, Fulfillment and Worth and A Courage to Become: Stories of Hope for Navigating Love, Marriage and Motherhood, are more than just books. They are tools for empowerment, rooted in helping women embrace their worth, navigate life’s transitions, and live more authentically. Available from Book People, Amazon, and Barnes and Noble, every reader who connects with them helps spread healing energy further. If you’re in need of a quick dose of inspiration, you can listen to and share my TEDx Talk, “Choose Joy or Die,” a reminder that joy is always within reach.
Collaborate With Me
I’m always open to collaborating with individuals and organizations passionate about empowering women and creating positive change. Whether through speaking engagements, workshops, or other events, I love connecting with people who are aligned with authenticity, connection, and being of service. If you’re interested in working together, whether it’s through a community event or a larger collaboration, feel free to reach out via my website, catiaholm.com. I’m excited about any opportunity to partner in making a meaningful impact!
Pricing:
- A Courage to Become: Stories of Hope for Navigating Love, Marriage and Motherhood – $14.99
- A Gentle Return: A Mother’s Meditations on Embodying Pleasure, Fulfillment and Worth – Paperback – $14.99
- A Gentle Return: A Mother’s Meditations on Embodying Pleasure, Fulfillment and Worth – Hardcover – $24.99
- Therapy Sessions begin at $135 per hour
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.catiaholm.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/texas_therapist_catia/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BrightLightCatia
