Today we’d like to introduce you to Adrianna Rodriguez.
Hi Adrianna, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Hi, I’m Adrianna Rodriguez, a Latinx psychotherapist based in Austin, TX. My work centers around exploring the impact of collectivism in family dynamics on our sense of identity. By examining how family relationships and cultural norms shape our worldview, I help clients develop a deeper understanding of themselves and their place in the world.
In my early childhood, I experienced domestic violence and my father struggled with drug abuse. My mother eventually left him and remarried my stepfather. When I was in high school, my stepfather was diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder. I observed that both of my fathers were discouraged from seeking help from mental health professionals and instead pressured to become more involved in the church. This piqued my interest in the ways Hispanic families approach mental health and conflict, and how these factors impact both individuals and the collective group. Inspired by my personal experiences and curiosity, I pursued various roles in social services, including working as a legal conservator caseworker for 5 years with CPS, serving in the Peace Corps in Morocco, and working as a school counselor for at-risk youth. These experiences deepened my understanding of the family system and its impact on individuals. After earning my Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health, I founded Cultural Refuge Counseling, a practice focused on helping individuals navigate the complex interplay between collectivist culture, family dynamics, and mental health. My aim is to provide a safe and supportive space for those who feel isolated or silenced by cultural and familial expectations.
Alright, let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what challenges have you had to overcome?
I don’t have much business experience, so this is new. Being a therapist, administrator, marketing, community outreach, and content creator is challenging. But I love learning new things and am comfortable not having all the answers, making adjusting a lot easier.
The biggest struggle is that part of me says, “are you competent enough to be running your own business.” This voice tends to come out at the most inconvenient times. I also struggle because my work is so personal to my lived experience. I often fear the Latinx community may disagree with me or say, “that wasn’t my experience.” To counteract this, I highlight that every family is different in their ways, everyone’s experience is not the same, and everyone is impacted differently in every family system.
Thanks – so, what else should our readers know about Cultural Refuge Counseling PLLC?
I created Cultural Refuge Counseling for those individuals who have never felt accepted by their family or culture because they have different values. In every family, there are unspoken rules as to what is expected of them, how they should act, and how they should show up. These feelings can feel more intense when belonging to a collectivist family. These individuals may identify as an outcast or black sheep. As someone who has once, and still sometimes does, struggle with wanting family approval while walking my path, I know how isolating it can be growing up in a Hispanic household; many other layers accompany isolation, such as rejection, guilt, and disconnection, which also leads to shame, perfectionism, and masking our identity. There is also often a pattern of generational trauma. In my experience, those seeking therapy to help cope with these feelings are usually the first in their family to do so, especially members of BIPOC communities.
I am trained in EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing) therapy, a trauma modality to help people process feelings or sensations that may be trapped in the body after a traumatic experience. My focus areas are trauma, cultural identity, shame, family of origin issues, first/second generation exhaustion/ burnout, body image, and those impacted by death row or incarceration of a loved one. I would describe myself as a very relational therapist. Therapy with me is like going to happy hour with a friend, but with boundaries. You can come as you are and not worry about being analyzed or judged. If you have been to any medical appointment, the environment can feel harsh, cold, and very clinical. I strive to ensure my clients feel comfortable to come in, grab a blanket or a snack, and show up authentically as they would at home.
Here in Austin, a predominantly white city, many of my clients from marginalized populations share that they feel they don’t belong. They cannot relate culturally, creating disconnection and imposter syndrome, especially among young professionals and first/second-generation students. What sets me apart from other therapists in Austin is that I create a space for individuals to explore family and cultural experiences to process how it’s currently impacting them. As an ally and sometimes someone who shares the same marginalized identities as many clients, I take a decolonized approach in my therapy practice. I recognize that cultural, societal, ancestral, and oppressive systems can significantly impact mental health.
One thing I want my clients or potential clients to know is that they don’t have to walk the path alone. Growing up in an environment or society that doesn’t allow you to be yourself can be exhausting. Every person needs a space to grieve, celebrate, and explore their true self.
Do you have any advice for those just starting?
If I offered any advice, it would be to go for it and do the thing that seems scary! There’s no such thing as having all the right answers, and the thought of something needing perfection shouldn’t stop you from following your dream. Mistakes are okay. Beauty is found in the process.
Pricing:
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Individual session 50-minute session- $120
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Group Therapy:
Powerful Latinas, a group for Hispanic/ Latine women 18+ to process cultural issues, $35 per 50-minute group
Cultura Conversations is a free ongoing group to discuss for Hispanic/ Latine individuals to explore, engage and empower themselves through conversation around culture and identity. This group is held virtually every first Wednesday of the month at 6pm.
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Sliding scale options for individual therapy ($70-100)
Contact Info:
- Website: culturalrefugeatx.com
- Instagram: culturalrefugecounseling
Image Credits
Headshot- Lesly Reyes Photography
