Women Leading the Way: Growth, Healing & Representation

The Latinx Therapist Project

March Newsletter

Women Leading the Way: Growth, Healing & Representation

March is a powerful month of recognition and reflection. As we celebrate Women’s History Month and Social Work Month, we honor the women who have shaped the mental health field through leadership, advocacy, and care. From social workers to therapists, educators, and community healers, women continue to expand access to culturally responsive care and create pathways for future generations.

LTP Impact

Congratulations to The LTP Adams County Graduate Scholarship Recipients

Brendi Martinez, Marsus Merino, and Mayra Osorio Lopez 

Please join us in congratulating Brendi Martinez, Marsus Merino, and Mayra Osorio Lopez recipients of the Latinx Therapist Project Adams County Graduate Scholarship! Each of these incredible scholars represents the future of culturally responsive, bilingual mental health care in our communities.

Brendi Martinez is pursuing her Master of Arts in Counseling with a concentration in Addictions at Touro University. Inspired by her upbringing in an immigrant family, she is committed to becoming a bilingual clinician who provides compassionate, culturally sensitive care to Latinx individuals and families.

Marsus Merino, a social work student and first-generation Latina, is preparing to become a bilingual licensed clinical social worker. Through her work supporting first-generation college students and translating culturally relevant materials, she is already advancing access to care for Latinx youth and families.

Mayra Osorio Lopez is earning her Master of Science in Clinical Behavioral Health with an emphasis in Addictions Counseling. Her goal is to become both a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) and Licensed Addictions Counselor (LAC), serving Spanish-speaking individuals and advocating for mental health care as a right—not a privilege.

👉 Want to learn more about each scholar and their inspiring journeys?

Check out their individual highlights and spotlights on our social media

Run for Representation Spotlight

Meet one of our Colfax Marathon runners! We currently have four runners signed up to represent LTP, and through our Runner Spotlight Series, we’re highlighting their stories, motivations, and the work they do in our community. This month, we’re excited to feature one of our mentees who is running in support of Latinx and bilingual mental health access.

Want to be featured next? Join our Colfax Marathon team and run for representation and community care!

Employment Directory Spotlight

For our third spotlight, we’re featuring Mirador Counseling, one of the organizations currently listed on our Employment Directory platform. Mirador Counseling has a company profile live and one active job posting available for a Clinical Supervisor– be sure to check it out!

Are you an employer?

We invite you to create a free profile on our Employment Directory to:

• Share your organization’s mission and values
• Post and manage job opportunities
• Be featured in future newsletters and social media spotlights

Are you a clinician or job seeker?

We encourage you to sign up and start browsing current openings. 

Visit our Employment Directory to explore jobs, discover employers, and get involved.

With Gratitude and Best Wishes

We would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to Karina Carrillo for her incredible contributions to the Latinx Therapist Project. During her time with LTP, Karina served as our Program and Outreach Coordinator, bringing dedication, care, and passion to advancing our mission and supporting the communities we serve. We are deeply thankful for the impact she made to our work and the relationships she helped build.

As Karina begins an exciting new chapter in her career with another organization, we wish her continued success and fulfillment in all that lies ahead. If you previously worked with her or are trying to get in touch regarding LTP matters, we kindly ask that you direct your inquiries to:

• Bridget Sanchez: bsanchez@latinxtherapistproject.org
• Mariam Lara: mlara@latinxtherapistproject.org
• General Inquiries: contactus@latinxtherapistproject.org

Thank you for your continued support of the Latinx Therapist Project.

¡Gracias, Karina! 

Best of luck, we will miss you! 💛

On Friday, February 27th, we hosted the first session of our Professional Development Cohort. LTP was honored to welcome participants into our office space, offering a tour of our facilities and creating an environment where clinicians could gather, connect, and begin building community.

Facilitated by Dr. Xochilt Alamillo, PhD, LCSW, the session provided space for participants to share their stories, reflect on their experiences, and begin forming supportive relationships with one another. The cohort is designed to strengthen clinical skills, foster cultural grounding, and reduce isolation among Spanish-speaking clinicians serving Adams County communities. The first session created a powerful atmosphere of connection, dialogue, and collective care, with participants expressing both vulnerability and hope as they began this year-long journey together.

We extend our sincere thanks to our grant partner, Adams County, whose investment and support make this program possible and are helping strengthen the local mental health workforce!

We would like to extend our sincere thanks to Norka Ayllon for hosting our LTP mentees and creating space for mental health clinicians to find healing from burnout. Opportunities like this remind us that sustaining our workforce requires not only professional development, but also intentional care and restoration.

Latinx Therapist Project is proud to support our clinicians in staying in the field, feeling affirmed, and continuing to thrive in their work serving our communities.

Latinx Therapist Project had the honor of participating in Grita Tu Identidad, a Spanish-language mental health forum dedicated to sharing lived experiences and breaking stigma within our community. As a resource partner, we connected with community members, shared information about mental health career pathways, and witnessed powerful testimonios from courageous speakers.

It was an inspiring gathering that highlighted the strength, resilience, and advocacy within our comunidad. We are grateful to the organizers — including Julissa Soto — for creating spaces that uplift Latino voices and advance mental health awareness across Colorado.

This month, Latinx Therapist Project hosted our monthly Consultation Group — a dedicated space for clinical insight, cultural affirmation, and collective care. This gathering provides Latino clinicians and emerging professionals an opportunity to reflect on cases, navigate ethical considerations, and process the unique cultural dynamics that shape our work.

These monthly spaces strengthen not only clinical competence, but also community — reminding us that supporting one another is essential to sustaining a culturally responsive mental health workforce.

On February 18th, we were invited to present to a group of students at George Washington High School in Denver. During the session, we shared our presentation, Therapy Career 101: Find Your Path as a Mental Health Therapist, guiding students through mental health career pathways, educational steps, and opportunities in the field.

The group included six students ranging from sophomores to seniors. Outreach in high schools is especially impactful, as it helps students see mental health careers as attainable and meaningful options early in their academic journeys.

One senior in particular approached us after the presentation seeking additional guidance about pursuing a career as a Marriage and Family Therapist and seeking guidance. Moments like these reflect the importance of early outreach in diversifying the mental health workforce and supporting future clinicians. We hope to one day see him enter the field and continue strengthening culturally responsive care for future generations!

Thank you to the Behavioral Club for hosting Latinx Therapist Project! We were grateful for the opportunity to speak with students about careers in mental health and share resources to support future clinicians in their journey.

Latinx Therapist Project attended the first-ever MACRO All-Partner Meeting, where approximately 84 partners and workforce leaders gathered to connect and learn about career readiness priorities for 2026. MACRO (the Metro Alliance of Career Readiness Organizations) brings together career readiness organizations across sectors with a “big picture” approach to workforce development — fostering cross-sector collaboration, sharing resources, and supporting holistic skills development that includes technical training, durable skills, financial literacy, workers’ rights, mental well-being, and more.

Speakers highlighted statewide efforts to unify and strengthen Colorado’s postsecondary and workforce systems, including updates related to Executive Order 2025-006 and SB25-315, and discussed key strategies for expanding equitable access to career pathways for students and job seekers. It was a meaningful conversation about systemic workforce challenges and solutions — with important takeaways for sectors, including behavioral health, that are shaping Colorado’s future talent pipeline.

We would like to thank the University of Colorado Colorado Springs (UCCS) for welcoming us back for another year at their Mental Health Career Fair. It was a pleasure connecting with students, introducing them to mental health career pathways, and sharing resources to support their goals early on.

We had a total of 59 visitors at our table, including students, educators, counselors, and other professionals. We are grateful for the opportunity to engage in meaningful conversations and to be part of an event that helps inspire and inform the next generation of mental health professionals. 

Resources & Opportunities

The Colorado Health Service Corps Loan Repayment Program provides up to $90,000 applied directly to qualifying student loan debt to licensed health professionals who commit to serving in designated shortage areas across Colorado.

👉 This application cycle will close on March 31, 2026 — check the Colorado Health Service Corps site for details and application requirements here.

The Colorado Health Service Corps (CHSC) offers a $5,000 scholarship for those on a path to becoming a licensed certified addiction technician (CAT), Certified Addiction Specialist (CAS), or a Licensed Addiction Counselor (LAC). LTP is happy to provide anyone with further support on pursuing any of these tracks! Email contactus@latinxtherapistproject.org.

👉 This application cycle will close  March 31, 2026. Check the Colorado Health Service Corps site for details and application requirements here.

The National Health Service Corps (NHSC) Loan Repayment Program helps licensed health professionals reduce their student loan debt in exchange for serving at an NHSC-approved site in a Health Professional Shortage Area (HPSA). Mental and behavioral health clinicians, including licensed counselors, social workers, psychologists, and marriage and family therapists, are eligible to apply.

Potential loan repayment support for mental and behavioral health clinicians:

• Up to $50,000 for full-time service for a two-year commitment.

• Up to $30,000 for half-time service for a two-year commitment.

NHSC LRP funds are applied directly toward qualifying educational loans to help ease debt while expanding access to mental health care in underserved communities.

👉 This application cycle is open through March 31, 2026. Learn more about this opportunity and apply at their website here.

Register to attend an upcoming information session:

• Three LRPs Q&A Session 2, Wednesday, March 4, 2026, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. ET
• Three LRPs Q&A Session 3, Thursday, March 12, 2026, 1 p.m. – 5 p.m. ET
• Three LRPs Q&A Session 4, Wednesday, March 25, 2026, 10 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. ET
• Three LRPs Q&A Session 5: Monday, March 30, 2026, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. ET

The National Health Service Corps (NHSC) Scholarship Program provides full financial support to students pursuing eligible health professions education in exchange for service in high need communities. The scholarship covers tuition, required fees, a monthly living stipend, and other approved educational costs while you are enrolled in school.

Eligible mental and behavioral health professions include:

• Psychiatrists

• Health Service Psychologists

• Licensed Clinical Social Workers

• Psychiatric Nurse Practitioners

• Marriage and Family Therapists

• Licensed Professional Counselors

In exchange for scholarship support, recipients commit to working at an NHSC-approved site in a federally designated Health Professional Shortage Area for a minimum of two years after completing training.

This is a powerful opportunity for future mental health professionals who are committed to advancing health equity and serving underserved communities.

👉 This application cycle is open through May 8th, 2026 by 7:30pm.. Learn more about this opportunity and apply at their website here. LTP is happy to provide anyone with further support on pursuing any of these opportunities! Email: contactus@latinxtherapistproject.org.  

Ready to take the next step in your mental health career? The Latinx Therapist Project’s Graduate Program Directory highlights accredited programs in Colorado that lead to licensure as a mental health therapist. Explore programs that value cultural responsiveness, quality education, and community impact—and find the one that’s right for you.

Pursuing your education is an incredible step — and you don’t have to navigate it alone. Explore our curated list of funding opportunities for graduate and undergraduate students in the mental health field, including scholarships, grants, and program-specific aid.

Whether you’re building your career or your team, the Latinx Therapist Project Employment Directory connects bilingual, culturally responsive professionals with meaningful opportunities across Colorado. Apply directly to jobs, or post openings to grow your network and impact.

Join Information Sessions to learn more about the directory on the following dates: 

• Clinician Informational Sessions coming in 2026!

We’re excited to share that 2026 marks the very first year of the Latinx Therapist Project x Colfax Marathon partnership — and we’re officially in our Colfax era. 🎉

This partnership means our community can now run, fundraise, and show up for mental health equity. Whether you lace up your shoes or support from the sidelines, this is a powerful opportunity to champion access, representation, and resources for Latinx clinicians and students. 

We currently have three runners signed up for our LTP team and are looking forward to welcoming more as race day approaches. With five months to go until May, now’s a great time to register and get ahead of the game. What better way to kick off the new year than by showing up for mental health representation—while also doing something for yourself? Running, walking, and training can be a powerful form of self-care, offering movement, fresh air, and building energy as you head into the year. 

By joining Team LTP, you’re not just running a race—you’re helping pave the way for future therapists who will uplift our comunidades. Stay tuned for team meet-ups, runner spotlights, and fundraising updates as we get closer to race day. Let’s make every mile count, por nuestra salud mental.

IMPORTANT NOTE: Make sure to register using the FundraiserUp platform rather than going through the Colfax Marathon page. 

IMPORTANT NOTE: Link only for donations. 

Community Corner

Colorado youth deserve a voice in shaping the future of mental health.

The Mind Our Future Colorado initiative, led by Children’s Hospital Colorado and Healthier Colorado, is creating space for young people to share how our state can better support youth mental health and well-being.

Two virtual conversations are happening:

🗓 March 3 | 5–6:30 PM

🗓 April 14 | 5–6:30 PM

At Latinx Therapist Project, we believe strengthening the mental health workforce starts by listening to the communities we serve — especially youth. If you know a young person in Colorado who has ideas, experiences, or insights about youth mental health, please share this opportunity with them.

👉Register here.

Your voice matters. 💜

Mentorship Program

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