Ecuadorian Social Workers connect | Mariana Lopez and Stacey Ruiz Artwork

The Latinx/e In Social Work Podcast

The Latinx In Social Work Podcast is a show calling awareness to racism, bias, and discrimination felt by Latinx social workers. By sharing personal narratives from social workers within the LatinX community, our goal is to undo the injustice and guide others to note where they exist.

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The Latinx/e In Social Work Podcast

Ecuadorian Social Workers connect | Mariana Lopez and Stacey Ruiz

October 31, 2023 • Erica Sandoval

Our guest today are
Mariana Lopez Bio:

After more than 15 years as a social worker, in December 2022, Mariana Lopez founded Centro Comunitario Hispano, a nonprofit that promotes Latinx families' growth and comprehensive development through education as well as access to mental health and social services. In 2014, Mariana founded Lifeskills Counseling Services, a mental health clinic with sites in Brooklyn, Queens and Hempstead.

Mariana’s commitment to social, racial, and economic justice shapes CCH’s programming and advocacy. CCH aims to enhance the wellbeing of the community, empower vulnerable residents, and advocate for policies that promote equity across all sectors. CCH believes in equipping families with the resources to thrive, fostering an environment where everyone has a fair chance at success.

Mariana is a proactive, empathetic, and solutions-oriented mental health professional and leader who is passionate about uplifting people at the margins of society.

Stacey Ruiz Bio:

Stacey Ruiz a Licensed Mental Health Counselor, practicing in the state of NY for 4 years. She focuses in Anxiety, Depression, Personal Growth and Self-Esteem, Relationship Challenges and Trauma. She was given the opportunity to volunteer at The Door Youth Center, Non-profit organization in Manhattan. During this time, she became aware of how much help was needed in her community.

In May of 2019, she graduated from NYU Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development with a Master’s Degree in Mental Health and Wellness. She decided to start her virtual private practice shortly after becoming licensed. As a mental health provider, she believes it's important for her clients to feel safe, understood, and valued.

Topics we touch on in today’s wide-ranging conversation include:

Mental Health and Culture
Inspiration for becoming a social worker
Communicating with different cultures in need new to the US
Teenage experience and social work support
Ecuadorian social worker inspiration and cultural connection
Generational thoughts on mental health
Cultural stigma toward mental health services

More about :

Website: https://secure.helloalma.com/providers/stacey-ruiz/?fbclid=PAAaa1qzF1QUXVvIz5jdCpLENGr8tdxOpiPj3TEiE30hvqIzveG3GMV47h1bI_aem_AW4Dglzvng-jK18HX_sxWe3FSw9KdbtwQm8HEyygNXQtgMsK8ynjl232H9ozTGxqMiY

SM info:
instagram handle: @staceyr.lmhc

Mariana Lopez Linktree: https://linktr.ee/marianalopezservices

SM info : https://www.instagram.com/marianalopez.official/

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