About Me

Hello! My name is Joanna and I am a native Californian, born and raised in Southern California. I was raised by two immigrants who came over to California from South America and have worked incredibly hard to provide me all they could to the best of their ability. My parents came to the US from their countries without knowing English and met while studying in an adult English school in Los Angeles.

Professionally I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker that has had the opportunity to work, study, and live in different countries including the UK and Australia. I quit my 9-5 job in February 2024 after over a year of feeling a strong pull to change my life. Once I resigned I traveled around to Ecuador, Colombia, Costa Rica, Spain and Italy to invest back into myself, open myself up to a different future and build my private practice and retreat business. I feel the benefits of choosing to live life on my terms, although it is taking a lot of time, energy, and determination- it beats living my short life on anyone else’s terms.

Additionally, I a member of The Surfrider Foundation, which is special non-profit organization whose mission is to take care of the oceans, beaches and waves for enjoyment of all peoples.

When I am not at my day job you can find me in work out clothes, barefoot on a beach, surfing, or in community with my friends and family and eager to continue growing and learning.

Part of my personal development has definitely included reading. I enjoy reading non-fiction books about finances, healthy eating, hitting the gym, and personal growth. I am eager to share books that have made a huge difference in my life to anyone who might also find benefit in them.

I value being in community, practicing being present, spirituality, family and friends. I also very much appreciate people who are authentic, true to themselves, and willing to grow. I am grateful to those people who have invested in me and have offered me a hand up or shoulder when I’ve been confused, frustrated, feeling lost, heart broken, and in need of love and compassion.

Thanks for taking the time to learn about me and I hope to connect with you and learn about you in the future.

PS: I’ll leave you with one of my favorite quotes from fellow social worker Brené Brown: “To love someone fiercely, to believe in something with your whole heart, to celebrate a fleeting moment in time, to fully engage in a life that doesn’t come with guarantees – these are risks that involve vulnerability and often pain. But, I’m learning that recognizing and leaning into the discomfort of vulnerability teaches us how to live with joy, gratitude and grace.”

Sincerely,

Joanna