Dr. Victoria Navarro, Licensed Psychologist
Grace Gavilanes: What sparked your desire to become a psychologist?
Dr. Victoria Navarro: I grew up with messages stating that showing emotion was a sign of weakness. Conflict wasn’t openly addressed and things were often “pushed under the rug.” Through my own journey and graduate studies, I’ve come to understand that my immigrant parents, from the Dominican Republic and Ecuador, weren’t given the space to access their emotions because survival required them to sacrifice parts of themselves.
Because of their dedication, hard work, and sacrifice, I now have the privilege to explore those parts within myself. This realization fuels my mission as a psychologist: to help my clients listen to, care for, and reconnect with the parts of themselves they may have neglected. My hope is to support them in rebuilding a more healed, integrated, and whole sense of self.
GG: Tell us about the road to launching your own practice. Was this always your goal?
VN: The typical path after graduate training involves completing fellowships at hospitals, college counseling centers, or outpatient behavioral health centers. During my training, I had the opportunity to work in these settings, but I often felt constrained by the limitations placed on psychotherapy within these systems.
Because of this, I made the decision to take a less conventional route — private practice. While it was a risk, it was one that aligned with my values and professional aspirations. Private practice gives me autonomy, room for creativity, and a work-life balance. It also provides the financial stability that allows me to focus on delivering the highest quality care. Most importantly, I can show up as the best version of myself for my clients, ensuring that I am fully present, energized, and capable of offering the deep, long-term support they deserve.
GG: What is an important step fellow Latinas can take to break out of generational trauma?
VN: I highly encourage everyone to normalize the idea that emotions are a source of strength, not weakness. Many of us were raised in environments where vulnerability was discouraged, but true healing begins when we allow ourselves to feel, express, and process our emotions without shame.
Breaking cycles means stepping into the unknown, challenging deeply ingrained beliefs, and sometimes facing resistance from those around us. But we must also remember that we are not responsible for doing all the work alone. Healing is a collective effort, and when we take those first steps, we are paving the way for future generations to continue the journey. Therapy can be a supportive tool in this process, offering guidance, support, and a space to navigate these changes with self-compassion. While we may not see all the results in our lifetime, every step we take creates a ripple effect, allowing the generations that follow to experience life with more emotional freedom.
GG: What accomplishment are you most proud of, both in your personal and professional life? (Please brag! We don’t do it enough.)
VN: I am incredibly proud of earning my doctorate and launching my private practice. Applying and attending graduate school was a challenge, especially as no one in my immediate family had taken that path before. Without firsthand guidance, I had to navigate the process on my own, fueled by determination and a passion for psychology.
Opening my practice was equally daunting. Coming from a family that values financial security, my parents worried about the risks of stepping away from a traditional career path. Their concerns were valid, and I felt the weight of their fears, but I also knew that creating a space where I could truly support my clients on their healing journeys was worth the risk.
Looking back, both of these accomplishments represent more than just professional milestones. They symbolize breaking generational barriers, trusting myself in the face of uncertainty, and building something meaningful from the ground up. I’m proud not just of what I’ve achieved, but of the courage it took to pursue a path that felt authentic to me.
““Being Latina is about honoring the sacrifices of those who came before me while paving the way for future generations to thrive. It’s a source of strength, identity, and joy.””
GG: Hustle culture and burnout is so prominent in our community. How do you make sure to take care of yourself first?
VN: Hustle culture can make it difficult to slow down, and I’ll admit that taking time off is something I’ve learned to be intentional about. To create a better balance, I set Fridays aside as admin days, where I don’t see therapy clients. This gives me the space to catch up on work without the emotional demands of sessions, while also allowing time for self-care, like morning workouts that help me feel grounded and energized.
Beyond that, I make it a priority to step away from work and reconnect with the people and activities that bring me joy. I incorporate daily walks to reset my mind and plan weekly time with family and friends to nurture those relationships. Prioritizing these moments highlights that rest isn’t just necessary — it makes me a better therapist, friend, and person.
GG: Imposter syndrome is a very real thing in our community. Have you experienced it? If so, how do you reconnect with yourself?
VN: Imposter syndrome was a real challenge for me during my clinical training. Psychology is a predominantly white space, and it was difficult to find other Latinx clinicians. To navigate this, I sought out supervision where I could process these feelings openly and worked to build a community that reflected my experiences and values.
One of the most meaningful ways I reconnected with myself was through reading fictional Latinx novels. Seeing characters with shared cultural experiences, struggles, and triumphs helped me feel seen in ways that academic spaces didn’t always provide. These stories reminded me of the richness of the culture and reinforced that more Latinx representation is necessary.
GG: What does being Latina mean to you?
VN: Being Latina means embracing strength and confidence unapologetically, allowing myself to be bold, expressive, and proud of who I am. It means embracing family in all its forms, creating a strong, loving community built on support, laughter, and belonging.
It also means celebrating culture through dance, music, and traditions that have been passed down through generations. Our language, whether spoken fluently or woven into Spanglish conversations, holds history, warmth, and connection. Being Latina is about honoring the sacrifices of those who came before me while paving the way for future generations to thrive. It’s a source of strength, identity, and joy.
