The Latinx/e In Social Work Podcast Erica Sandoval

Erica speaks to a panel of social workers (Social Workers for Justice) about what needs to be done to give more opportunities for representation in communities of color in the social work space. Including what can be done to make testing and credentialing more accessible to those representing different cultures. 
Importance of creating opportunities for new social workersSocial Workers and the “ASWB LMSW Entry Level” examHow the ASWB exam test questions are createdThe emotional, cultural, and financial hurdles of the testWhat can be done to restructure the path toward social work careers Guest Bios:
Jessica Mitchell:
Ms. Mitchell is a Clinical Assistant Professor at Stony Brook University, School of Social Welfare. She teaches courses in policy, political action, and campaign management. She also serves as a Practicum Instructor for students interning in legislative and political offices and with nonprofits seeking to make legislative change in several areas. In 2022 she received the SUNY Chancellor's Award for Excellence in Adjunct Teaching.  Ms. Mitchell serves as the Co-Chair of the Social Workers for Justice initiative to repeal the licensing exam requirement for Social Workers in New York State.
Luisa Lopez:
Luisa Lopez currently serves as President of the Latino Social Work Coalition and Scholarship Fund. With a robust background in government relations, Luisa has left an indelible mark on New York's social work landscape, having served in pivotal roles at the Office of the Manhattan Borough President, the NYC Council, and the Washington, DC office of former Bronx Congressman José E. Serrano.
Xai Yang:
For over 12 years, Xai has been an experienced social worker who is SIFI certified. Xai is currently a therapist and founding contributor member of KitUp LLC, coaching and DEI consulting. Xai has a broad background that includes union and political organizing, child welfare, ACT team, psychiatric mobile crisis, and consulting for Social Workers for Justice. 
Follow LatinX in Social Work on the web:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/erica-priscilla-sandoval-lcsw-483928ba/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/latinxinsocialwork/
Website: https://www.latinxinsocialwork.com/
Get the best selling book Latinx in Social Work: Stories that heal, inspire, and connect communities on Amazon today:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/1952779766

Erica talks to Jean Carlos Osorio about his journey to being a mental health professional, a business owner, and author. Check out how Jean Carlos’ journey led him to help the Latinx/a/o/ community and get passed his own doubts to make his dreams come true
Immigrant communities entering a new world in the U.S.Therapy through art, sports, and community.Building a practice that works to provide service to those who needHow to communicate services while dealing with cultural stigmasDealing with doubt and finding self worthImportance of training and guidance for new mental health professionals Jean Carlos Osorio is a NYS Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) and a Certified Dialectical Behavioral Therapist (CDBT) for the State of New York as well as licensed for Connecticut, Miami, New Jersey, Washington DC and Texas. He is also the founder of Mind Together!
He specializes in childhood trauma/abuse/neglect, unresolved childhood issues, addictive behaviors, personality disorders, anxiety, depression and gender identity conflicts. He also worked with victims of human sex trafficking, the undocumented population.
As part of his community engagement, he has created "Hablando con Jean Carlos" and "La Silla Caliente" two YouTube video series dedicated to fight against Mental Health stigma and address mental health issues in the Latino community.
Mr. Osorio has worked in the field of Social Work for more than 14 years in many different social work settings including Psychiatric hospitals/institutions, inpatient and outpatient mental health facilities, community centers, non-profit agencies, LGBTQI community centers and have been in private practice for the past eight years providing services in both languages, English and Spanish.


Follow LatinX in Social Work on the web:


LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/erica-priscilla-sandoval-lcsw-483928ba/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/latinxinsocialwork/
Website: https://www.latinxinsocialwork.com/


Get the best selling book Latinx in Social Work: Stories that heal, inspire, and connect communities on Amazon today:


https://www.amazon.com/dp/1952779766

Erica talks to Claudia M. Boyle about her journey from Columbia to the U.S. to fulfill her dream of becoming a licensed mental health counselor and the support Claudia’s family and community provided her to succeed and become a CEO at the Hispanic Counseling Center.
Making sacrifices for your careerFamilial support in her goals.The importance of community in life and workAddressing the stigma of mental healthHow to make mental health help commonDifferent types of mental health careers.Claudia M. Boyle, MS, LMHC, has a broad and comprehensive experience as a clinician, supervisor, and administrator and has a deep history with the Hispanic Counseling Center (HCC), a multi-service agency that provides culturally competent, fully bilingual/bicultural treatment and prevention services for chemical dependency, mental illness, and youth and family services. Claudia is proud of her bicultural background and her focus on community collaboration, working both in leadership roles and volunteer opportunities in the community.

Follow LatinX in Social Work on the web:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/erica-priscilla-sandoval-lcsw-483928ba/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/latinxinsocialwork/
Website: https://www.latinxinsocialwork.com/
Get the best selling book Latinx in Social Work: Stories that heal, inspire, and connect communities on Amazon today:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/1952779766

Our special guest interviewer, Pilar O. Bonilla, MSW, has questions for our host Erica Sandoval! Find out all about Erica’s journey to becoming a social worker, creating the “Latinx/e In Social Work” book series, “Sandoval Colab,” and the new non-profit “Siembra Today.”

Topics touched upon:
Erica’s journey to the mental health space. Working with and mentoring social workers.Building a group practice.Mental Health stigmas in communities of color.Psychedelic therapy and support in communities of color.Celebrating our “Latinx in Social Work" Authors
Pilar O. Bonilla, MSW, graduated from Hunter College Silberman School of Social Work in 2023. She is a self-described social justice worker, actively involved as a founding member and advocate within the Payment for Placements (P4P) campaign—fighting for socioeconomic justice through collective action that is needed for long-term change.

Pilar serves as the co-treasurer of Siembra Today, Inc., a proactive organization aiming to disrupt systems of oppression. In 2023, Pilar presented at the 27th Annual Conference of the Society for Social Work and Research (SSWR), solidifying her commitment to advancing social work and effecting positive change. In 2022, Pilar’s dedication to social justice was recognized and she received the Future of Social Work Leadership Award from the Latino Social Work Coalition and Scholarship Fund. 
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pilar-o-bonilla/ 
IG: https://www.instagram.com/daringly_myself/ 

Upcoming Events:
Somatic Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy BIPOC GroupSiembra Today: Planting the Seeds of Tomorrow with the Latinx/e in Social Work Authors and the LSWSORecharge and Revitalize: Reclaiming Inner Peace in Social WorkFrom Anxiety to Stillness
Follow LatinX in Social Work on the web:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/erica-priscilla-sandoval-lcsw-483928ba/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/latinxinsocialwork/
Website: https://www.latinxinsocialwork.com/


Get the best selling book Latinx in Social Work: Stories that heal, inspire, and connect communities on Amazon today:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/1952779766

Erica joins some amazing doctors to have a conversation about “Marianismo”, or the expectation that women have to serve and sacrifice for others before themselves.
What is MarianismoMarianismo in Modern CultureTraditional Roles and Expectations for WomenSelf Validation While Supporting OthersNavigating Family While Working Toward a GoalDr. Damary M. Bonilla-Rodriguez is a national leading authority on leadership development, especially as it pertains to diversity and inclusion. She delivers keynote addresses and presentations drawing upon her experience from roles in the non-profit, private, and government sectors, as well as her doctoral research. Her research about Latina leadership in the United States has served as the foundation for events, conference sessions, publications, and content development - to address the urgency of leadership development for a fast-growing population and create a pipeline of diverse leaders. Her published written accomplishments include her recent book Modern Marianismo: Its Relevance and the Connection to Impostor Syndrome and Perfectionism. linkedin.com/in/damarybonillarodriguezedd
Dr. Carolyn Peguero Spencer is a first-generation Dominican-born, New Yorker. Carolyn is a full-time professor at Westchester Community College. She is also a dedicated clinician to her thriving bilingual private practice. Carolyn is dedicated and invested in the financial literacy and subjective well-being of Latina mothers. This is an area in which she plans to dedicate most of her research as an academic. Dr. Peguero Spencer can reached through her website  therapyandwomen.com or through Linkedin www.linkedin.com/in/carolynpeguerospencerlcsw

Follow LatinX in Social Work on the web:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/erica-priscilla-sandoval-lcsw-483928ba/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/latinxinsocialwork/
Website: https://www.latinxinsocialwork.com/
Get the best selling book Latinx in Social Work: Stories that heal, inspire, and connect communities on Amazon today:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/1952779766

Erica joins some amazing mental health professionals to have an honest discussion about infertility, family building and mental health. 
The emotions you go through trying to build a familyStigma of infertility in cultural communities.Navigating family building with fertility support awarenessDealing with the expectations of motherhoodStaying positive during the fertility processLaudy Burgos, LCSW-R, PMH-C is a bilingual English/Spanish licensed clinical social worker with over 25 years of experience in the area of perinatal mood disorders; and family and children’s services.
Dr. Claudia Marchetti is a Psychotherapist and New York State licensed Social Worker specializing in couples navigating IVF and sexual dysfunction. In particular, Claudia focuses on the possible anxiety, embarrassment, and stress that couples are faced with throughout these processes.
Luisa Lopez currently serves as President at the Latino Social Work Coalition and Scholarship Fund and Director of Social Services and Communications at the Urban Outreach Center of NYC. At the Latino Social Work Coalition, she passionately emphasizes the crucial need for culturally and linguistically competent social workers, highlighting their indispensable role in enhancing public life and civic participation.
Follow LatinX in Social Work on the web:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/erica-priscilla-sandoval-lcsw-483928ba/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/latinxinsocialwork/
Website: https://www.latinxinsocialwork.com/
Get the best selling book Latinx in Social Work: Stories that heal, inspire, and connect communities on Amazon today:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/1952779766