The Latina Healing Institute
Dr. Ana Sierra
About Me
Prior to being Dr. Sierra, I was simply Ana, Anita, Nita, or Ms. Sierra, I still am but this added identity was something that I could have never imagined as a 14-year-old who had just immigrated from Honduras.
Facing numerous barriers due to being a woman in a man’s world, being Latina and Spanish speaking only in an English-speaking environment, my story is more than the barriers but the ability to overcome and achieve my goals despite them.
I know firsthand what it is like to struggle as a successful Latina in the United States. There is a lot of pressure on us to be strong, able and to keep our issues in our internal world.
We are expected to sacrifice a lot in the name of success. Realizing it does not have to be this way is a liberating experience that I hope to share with other women like myself.
Thus, creating spaces of healing for Latinas is a goal close to my heart. We are here, and this space is available to all Latinas so we can come together and make room for ourselves to connect with each other and share our stories.
Our healing experiences can regenerate years of unpacked stress, create life-changing connections and increased awareness. Latina healing is powerful and cannot be done without calor humano entre hermanas.
This will be a journey we will walk through together.
Professional Bio:
Dr. Sierra earned her Bachelor of Science in Psychology and Political Science from Saint Peter’s College. She earned a master’s in clinical counseling psychology with a concentration in Latino/a Mental Health. She completed her PhD in International Psychology: Trauma Services Concentration.
In her professional experience of over 16 years, she has worked with adults, children and adolescents from outpatient, residential and home/community environments. She has specifically worked with post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, anxiety, behavioral challenges, chronic mental illness, and complex trauma. Dr. Sierra conducts comprehensive evaluations for immigration cases. At the international level, Dr. Sierra has served survivors of sexual violence through developing and supporting psycho-social programs in Guatemala, Bolivia, and the Dominican Republic.
Dr. Sierra is licensed as a Professional Counselor in Washington, DC, Maryland, and Virginia, serving the DC Metro Area. She is also a National Certified Counselor. Dr. Sierra is certified by the District of Columbia’s Superior Courts as a Subject Matter Expert -Child Therapist.
Dr. Sierra has been awarded the 2021 Central American Awards as a Community Psychologist and the 2021 Distinguished Student Award from The Chicago School of Professional Psychology.
