Meet Brooke Clavesilla | Licensed Clinical Social Worker & Yoga Practitioner

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

Hi Brooke, how do you think about risk?
When I was thinking about letting go of the comfort of a full-time salaried position to pursue opening up my own practice as a licensed psychotherapist, my mentor and long-time friend told me, “Anything worth having usually involves risk.” As soon as she said this, I knew exactly what I had to do. It was time for me to quit my job, which meant giving up my salary and health care benefits during a global pandemic! Living alone with some savings, it was a risky decision to make. I was flooded with so many thoughts about paying my bills, cutting back on my spending, and maintaining the comfortable lifestyle that I had created for myself. Everything was uncertain, and I didn’t know if things would work out. Despite all the questions and worst-case scenario thinking, I trusted my mentor.

My faith outweighed my fear. I listened to the way my heart opened and how I lit up with excitement at the thought of investing the majority of my time in myself and starting my own practice. You may have heard the saying, “Energy flows where attention goes.” I trusted that if I put my energy into what I actually wanted versus working for someone else full-time, it would be fruitful.

It has almost been two years since I decided to bet on myself. With some bumps in the road, I’ve managed to earn my previous full-time salary while working part-time and create more space to tend to all parts of my life at a pace that works for me. Most importantly, I’ve been able to be of service to some of the most sweet, sensitive and ambitious souls.

So, how do I think about risk? WORTH IT, and if things don’t work out, I trust that I’ll be redirected. I’ll have new information about myself, and I’ll move accordingly.

What role has taking risks played in my life? My greatest fear is not living up to my potential and not doing all the things I want to do in life. If I’m not taking risks, I’m stagnant. I want so much more for myself.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
My business is a psychotherapy practice where I focus on serving women and People of Color (POC), who are usually college students and young professionals in creative or helping professions. They are the ones who aim high, care deeply about the world and others, and really want to make a difference. Sometimes they get so caught up in caring for others, they forget about themselves.I want to provide a space that centers their healing, whether that be working through anxiety, depression, trauma, perfectionism, imposter syndrome, codependency, work-related stress/burnout, life transitions, grief, racial and cultural identity challenges, or questions around life purpose.

What sets me apart from others is that I choose to show up as the most authentic version of myself in my work. This is often frowned upon in the therapy world depending on how someone chooses to practice. As therapists, we are often taught to leave ourselves outside of the therapy room and in our work generally speaking, as though we are not humans with emotions, thoughts, values, beliefs, and experiences. Contrary to what I’ve been taught, I believe that being human, being myself, plays a role in my client’s healing. It can be incredibly healing for my clients to know that I’m right there with them, and they’re not alone in their struggle. I also believe storytelling, whether about myself or someone else, is a great way to help clients make sense of themselves and the world around them. We tend to put people in roles like mine on a pedestal. While I am clinically trained, I am by no means a perfect person who has it all figured out. I want my clients to know that I am human just like them. Every healer, therapist, or coach I have decided to work with has shared pieces of themselves with me, and their impact has been lasting. I want to do the same for others. I want those who come across me and my work to say “She gets me!” It’s all about connection for me.

As a yoga practitioner, I’m always looking for opportunities to integrate yoga and its philosophy into therapy sessions with clients. In my personal practice, yoga has helped me to integrate and embody the spiritual teachings of self acceptance that I learned in therapy. Putting what you know into practice can be difficult. Yoga really helps to get you there. I want to help my clients integrate what they learn in therapy through yoga.

Getting to where I am today has not been easy. It has come with a whole lot of struggle – a lot of anxiety, self-doubt, and wanting to give up. I’m still standing, though. I’ve had to get comfortable with uncertainty, think & feel abundantly, embrace the process, be open to making mistakes, and rely heavily on my inner knowing, my faith. These practices continue to help me today.

I just really want to hold space for people to heal. I want people to feel safe enough to be themselves around me and feel empowered to live a fulfilling life, a life that’s true to their heart

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
A slow morning in Long Beach is always lovely. I’d start with grabbing tea or coffee at one of the many cafes in the city and then head to FREE yoga on the bluff. All of the teachers are great. I find so much peace there.

I like spending my time at the beach and rollerblading down the bike path, so I’d convince someone to do that with me. I think it’s fun to pack your own lunch and take it to the beach. Eating out is cool too, though. I like Ahimsa and The Grain Cafe (both are vegan). There are also a lot of cool stores for shopping or browsing. Two of my favorites are MAKE Collectives and Native Sol.

In the evening, dinner and cocktails are always nice. There are so many good restaurants to choose from in Long Beach. I really enjoy Manaow for Thai and Cañadas for some flavorful carne asada tacos and aguachiles. Other Mexican spots I like are Los Compadres and Panxa Cocina. For cocktails, I like going to Lola’s and the Mezcalero bar. I’m a fan of the tequila and mezcal drinks at both places.

Long Beach has so much to offer. If you have time, you should definitely get to know it.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I’m lucky to have my mentor, long-time friend, and second mother, Donna Distelrath. Without her wisdom, I don’t know that I would have taken the risk.

I have so much love for my life doula, Jumakae. She is an embodiment of risk-taking, an inspiration. I am grateful for her lessons in listening to my body and for reminding me that I have nothing to lose.

My best friend, Nicole Hernandez, often reminds me of my talent and the way I move her. I don’t think she knows that I hold her words close to my heart, especially on days when believing in myself is hard.

I’m grateful for my beautiful friend and business mastermind, Dany Srey. I don’t want to be anyone but myself in my brand. Conversations and working with Dany have helped me stay true to myself. Her support means the world to me.

Lastly, my family is my greatest support. As much as my choices do not always align with what they want for me, I never doubt their love and support. Risk-taking feels easy when you know you have people you can count on in life. I’m grateful that my family lets me be me.

Website: www.brookeclavesilla.com

Instagram: @brookeclavesilla

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brookeclavesilla

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/brookeclavesilla

Other: Psychology Today: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/brooke-clavesilla-long-beach-ca/805171