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The Latinx Therapist Project
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Rest, Restore, Reconnect: A Month of Mental Health Wellness
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April is a time to center wellness — not just for the communities we serve, but for the clinicians, students, and future providers doing this important work. As we recognize Counseling Awareness Month, National Minority Health Month, Stress Awareness Month, and Alcohol Awareness Month, we are reminded that prevention, access, and culturally responsive care all begin with supporting the well-being of those on the front lines of mental health.
At LTP, we believe professional sustainability is community work. This month, we’re highlighting the importance of mentorship, consultation spaces, and community wellness events that help reduce isolation, manage stress, and strengthen culturally grounded support systems. Whether you are early in your career or a seasoned clinician, prioritizing wellness is not a luxury — it is essential to continuing this work with care and intention.
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Meet Ana Villazon, Clinician Spotlight
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Ana Villazon’s journey into the mental health field began with her own healing. At 19, during a difficult chapter in her life, she found support through counseling and often says her therapist saved her life. Reflecting on that experience, Ana now recognizes how powerful it was to be seen without judgment and with compassion. That experience inspired her to become that same source of hope for others. Although moving to the U.S. in her 20s made her feel like this dream might no longer be possible, she courageously returned to school as an adult, grounded in her belief that access to mental health services should be for everyone. For Ana, providing counseling in Spanish is more than a skill — it is a form of activism that helps open pathways to healing for individuals, families, and future generations.
Throughout her journey, Ana faced the challenge of limited representation, often not seeing other Latinx or bilingual counselors reflected in her academic spaces. This sometimes led to doubt, but by expanding her network beyond her immediate environment, she found connections with bilingual and bicultural professionals who reminded her that she belongs in this field. She emphasizes the importance of mentorship, sharing that having access to bilingual and bicultural mentors earlier in her journey could have helped her navigate moments of uncertainty. She describes mentorship as something deeply cultural — similar to the guidance of an abuelita, offering wisdom, care, and encouragement along the way.
Outside of her studies, Ana finds her greatest joy and motivation in her seven children, who inspire her daily. Watching them grow reminds her of the generational impact of healing and the importance of creating access to culturally and linguistically responsive care. Through her path, Ana represents the very mission of the Latinx Therapist Project: building a stronger, more connected pipeline of Latinx and Spanish-speaking clinicians who can support our communities and create lasting change.
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For our third spotlight, we’re featuring United Care ABA, one of the organizations currently listed on our Employment Directory platform. United Care ABA has a company profile live and one active job posting available for a Registered Behavior Technician– be sure to check it out!
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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.
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Meet one of our Colfax Marathon runners! We currently have 10 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 board members 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!
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Professional Development Cohort
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On Friday, March 27th, we hosted our second Professional Development Cohort session, and we were grateful to be hosted by Inner City Health Center. To learn more about Inner City Health Center and the vital services they provide, click here.
This session, facilitated by Dr. Xochilt Alamillo, created a meaningful space for the group to explore topics of how issues intersect with identity, culture, and gender within the Latino community. The group also discussed family dynamics within Latino cultures, including the shadow side of respeto and the role of personalismo as a therapeutic strength. As well as opening up in a reflective discussion about recent revelations that Dolores Huerta is a survivor of sexual assault perpetrated by César Chávez. The conversation explored what these realities mean for our understanding of leadership and social movements, as well as the stigma and bias survivors often face when speaking up. We also took time to affirm our support for Dolores Huerta and stand in solidarity with women and all survivors who share their stories with courage.
One powerful activity invited participants to create a visual representation of familismo. Clinicians turned themselves into a human statue that symbolizes the ways generations remain connected, like a family tree, with each generation expressing a new dynamic as they grow together to break down generational barriers and continue to grow. The session concluded on an uplifting note, with each participant sharing a song that makes them feel empowered.
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! To learn more about our Professional Development Cohort click here!
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Adams County Fire Station Tour
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As part of our year-long Professional Development Cohort, one of our priorities is to host sessions throughout Adams County and introduce clinicians to the local resources that support the communities they serve. To support this effort, we have been connecting with sites across Adams County to explore potential locations for future cohort sessions.
Recently, Mariam visited Adams County Fire Station 11. She was warmly welcomed by the fire chief and team, who gave her a tour of the facility and showed the community room that could host one of our future sessions. The team also generously offered to provide a station tour and share more about the services and resources they provide to the community when we gather there in the coming months. We are excited about the opportunity to collaborate and continue building strong connections within Adams County.
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On March 12th, we hosted an online Therapy Career Education session, where participants joined to learn more about mental health career pathways. Although the group was small, it quickly turned into a meaningful and engaging conversation. One participant shared that they had recently applied to the Master of Social Work program at MSU Denver, which sparked a helpful exchange when another attendee—who had graduated from the same program—offered advice and shared their experience.
What began as an informational session evolved into a supportive conversation centered on guidance, shared experiences, and community. With one of the participants referring to this session as feeling as if she was “talking to some primas.” Moments like these remind us that even small gatherings can create powerful opportunities for connection and mentorship.
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On Friday the 20th, we attended the DMLK Career Fair for students in 9th through 11th grade. During the event, we had the opportunity to connect with 114 students and share information about mental health career pathways and opportunities in the field. It is always inspiring to engage with students early on, learn about their interests, and introduce them to careers they may not have previously considered.
One of the highlights of the event was inviting students to participate in our interactive board, “Why Mental Health Matters”, where they shared their thoughts and perspectives on why mental health matters. We also appreciated the chance to connect with fellow professionals and community partners throughout the tabling event.
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Mental Health Careers Conference
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Join us this month for our Mental Health Careers Conference on Friday, April 17th, 2026, from 9am–2pm at Front Range Community College (Wolf Central) in Westminster. This event is a great opportunity for undergraduate students to explore mental health career pathways, learn about graduate programs, and connect with professionals in the field.
Undergraduate registrations will close on April 10th. Registration is limited so early registration is highly encouraged. As you don’t want to miss your spot!
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We are still looking for two behavioral health undergraduate programs to table at our event. Register Below!
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Event Dates:
Are you interested in becoming a mental health therapist but not sure which kind of therapist you should be? We are here to support! There are 5 different therapy specialties that one must select before going to graduate school, as each graduate program is tailored to the specialty you decide:
- Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT)
- Clinical Counselor (LPC)
- Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)
- Licensed Addictions Counselor (LAC)
- Clinical Psychologist
Come meet our established therapists panel, who will discuss why they chose their therapy specialty and what they’ve done with their clinical career. There will be room for participants to ask questions! Make sure to sign up
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Resources & Opportunities
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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.
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Lo Que Florece: Blooming Together in Times of Adversity
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Invitation from one of our partners, Dr. Xochilt Alamillo!
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Mental Health Graduate Program Directory
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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.
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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.
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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!
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Get Involved: LTP x Colfax Marathon 2026 — We’re Officially Off & Running!
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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.
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IMPORTANT NOTE: Make sure to register using the FundraiserUp platform rather than going through the Colfax Marathon page.
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IMPORTANT NOTE: Link only for donations.
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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:
🗓 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. 💜
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