Meet Maritza Bojórquez | Licensed Clinical Social Worker & Doctor of Social Work

We had the good fortune of connecting with Maritza Bojórquez and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Maritza, where are your from? We’d love to hear about how your background has played a role in who you are today?
As a Mexican-American, I try to represent my culture as much as possible. I want others to be able to see that Si Se Puede! I was born in East L.A., but grew up in Baldwin Park, CA (17 miles east of East L.A.), in a single-parent Mexican household, which was also considered low socioeconomic status. Seeing my mother’s struggles of working up to three jobs at a time to provide for my two siblings and me was a huge factor in what led to finding a way to break generational cycles. At 15 years old, I became a teen parent. Literally a kid raising a kid! At that time, my daughter was the primary motivation that led to higher education. When I was 19 years old, my mother was deported, and my younger sister moved in with my husband and me until she left for college.

Further, I am a first-generation college graduate who firmly believes it was by God’s grace, my husband’s endless support, and tenacity that got me to a doctoral degree, becoming the first doctor (of social work) in my family. As a higher-education student, my goal was always to help others, which led me to the path of social work. Since 2011, I have had the pleasure of serving in various settings, including child welfare as a foster care social worker, in medical settings with clients suffering from chronic illness, in the nonprofit sector, serving as a mental health provider, and as a college professor. In my doctoral program, my research while in school, was based on increasing electronic (digital) capacity among Latino communities in the healthcare settings.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in California and a Doctor of Social Work. I opened Breaking Cycles Counseling in 2021, where I provide mental health services (therapy) virtually to clients. From my private practice, I also have the opportunity to provide clinical supervision to people accruing hours for their respective licenses. The clinical supervision aligns with my passion for teaching. Being a Latina female, a teen mom, and a first-generation college student, among other identifying factors, I understand the importance of tailoring a treatment plan for each client. I specialize in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) when appropriate for clients.

My academic journey was long, with some trial and error and a great deal of balancing between home, work, and school life. I graduated from a continuation high school, attended Mt. San Antonio, and then transferred to Cal Poly Pomona for my Bachelor’s degree in psychology. I earned my Master of Social Work degree from the University of Southern California (USC) and had to complete 3,200 hours of professional experience and two exams for licensure. My last stop was completing a Doctorate of Social Work degree at California Baptist University. I overcame all challenges by trusting God, receiving support from family and professors, leaning on friends, and laugh!

There have been several lessons that I’ve learned along the way. The most impactful is that “imposter syndrome” is real and affects many people. Imposter syndrome is doubting one’s abilities and feeling like a fraud, which usually makes it difficult for me to accept my accomplishments. In conversations with others and looking deep within myself, I realized I am capable and could finally accept the successes in life. In addition to the virtual therapy sessions, Breaking Cycles Counseling offers consultations focusing on financial literacy. In progress – a workbook where basic financial principles and biblical principles meet. The vision is to help individuals become better stewards of what God has provided, decrease debt, and have a more comfortable relationship with money. As a Certified Financial Social Worker and from personal experience, I can see how finances can also impact our mental health.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
We would start locally by going to Victoria Gardens. Then, we would take a mini trip across the border to Valle de Guadalupe in Baja California, Mexico. It’s a perfect little getaway to visit vineyards and great restaurants and would allow us to get away from the city. My favorite place is Casa Frida (IG: @casafridavallegpe), where art and wine meet. Check out the artwork of Raul Carrillo (IG: @vango_lagaleria).

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
First, I want to thank God for getting me through my journey and for strength through the challenging moments. Secondly, I dedicate this shoutout to my husband, Adrian, who has been my rock and a constant source of support. For my family, I am grateful for your love and patience. Next, it is also dedicated to my mother, who immigrated from another country, to ensure I had opportunities for a better future. She has worked tirelessly and set a great example of what it means to work hard. Lastly, for friends and church friends – thank you for riding this roller coaster with me and for your continuous prayers.

Website: www.breakingcyclescounselingca.com/

Instagram: @breakingcyclescounseling

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maritza-bojorquez-33028789/

Other: Headshots by photographer Celina Ochoa @celinatakemypic Styling by @newpalmcollection @clarissa.palm

Image Credits
Headshots by photographer Celina Ochoa @celinatakemypic