The Latina Healing Institute
Dr. Ana Sierra
About Me
Before becoming Dr. Sierra, I was simply Ana, Anita, Nita, or Ms. Sierra—identities I still carry with me. However, as a 14-year-old immigrant from Honduras, I could have never imagined the day I would earn the title of “Dr.”
I faced many barriers—being a woman in a male-dominated world, a Latina, and a Spanish speaker in an English-speaking environment. But my story is not just about those challenges; it’s about overcoming them and achieving my goals despite the odds.
I know firsthand the struggles of being a successful Latina in the United States. There is immense pressure on us to always be strong, capable, and to keep our struggles hidden. We’re often expected to sacrifice much in the name of success. But realizing it doesn’t have to be this way is a liberating experience—one I hope to share with other women like me.
Creating spaces for Latina healing is deeply personal and close to my heart. We need spaces where we can come together, connect, and share our stories. This space is for all Latinas, a sanctuary where we can be vulnerable, uplift one another, and make room for our voices.
Our collective healing can release years of unspoken stress, forge life-changing connections, and cultivate a deeper awareness of ourselves. Latina healing is powerful and cannot happen without the warmth of sisterhood and community.
This is a journey we will walk together, hand in hand.
Professional Bio:
Dr. Sierra holds a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and Political Science from Saint Peter’s College, a Master’s in Clinical Counseling Psychology with a focus on Latino/a Mental Health, and a PhD in International Psychology with a specialization in Trauma Services.
With over 18 years of professional experience, she has worked with adults, children, and adolescents in a variety of settings, including outpatient, residential, and community-based environments. Dr. Sierra specializes in treating post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, anxiety, behavioral challenges, chronic mental illness, and complex trauma. She also conducts comprehensive evaluations for immigration cases. In 2017, she opened her private practice in Washington, DC, providing individual, family, and group therapy specifically to the Latinx community. Additionally, she supervises interns and master-level clinicians in collaboration with educational institutions.
As an international consultant, Dr. Sierra has developed and supported psychosocial programs for survivors of childhood sexual violence in Guatemala, El Salvador, Bolivia, and the Dominican Republic. She has also led curriculum development and training programs addressing adolescent substance misuse in countries such as Peru, Bolivia, Jamaica, the United Arab Emirates, and Argentina.
Dr. Sierra is a licensed Professional Counselor in Washington, DC, Maryland, Virginia, and Texas, and is a National Certified Counselor. She is also recognized by the Superior Court of the District of Columbia as a Subject Matter Expert in Child Trauma Therapy.
She is the Co-Founder of the Latina Healing Institute, an organization created by and for Latina women to provide healing and empowerment. In 2022, Dr. Sierra launched her Spanish-language podcast, Encuentros con la Dra. Ana Sierra, which addresses issues affecting the Latinx community.
A frequent guest on Telemundo44, Dr. Sierra has been featured in publications such as El Tiempo Latino, El Imparcial, and Mundo Latino. Her community contributions have earned her the Central American Awards for Community Psychologist in 2021 and 2023, and she was honored with the 2021 Distinguished Alumni Award from The Chicago School of Professional Psychology.
