Meet Noemi Fernandez | Licensed Clinical Social Worker

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

Hi Noemi, what value or principle matters most to you? Why?
Recent life events and circumstances have encouraged me to reevaluate most things including my core values. There are many values that have been brought into focus and have been significant in my journey and one of these is spirituality. The last few years have been heavily marked by grief and loss. It was a natural progression for me to be concerned about my, and the human, spirit. I’ve been on a quest of questioning and investigating my purpose and my connection to Earth and others. I’ve evaluated: how I show up in this world, my connection to the world around me, my compassion for myself and others, and the meaning of suffering. It’s been a humbling and grueling experience trying to accept the uncertainty of life. My search for meaning has been mainly rooted in astrology, music, nature, self-reflection, and poetry. I’ve found the strength to continue in these spiritual practices. I’m still figuring things out, and I continue to sit with how I find meaning, how I feel connected, and how I want to live.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
In late June of 2021, I founded Stillness Therapy based on my core values of acceptance, curiosity, duality, fluidity, openness, social justice, transparency, and stillness as a healing practice. My main goal is to help women, queer folks, and children of immigrants who are seeking to gain clarity about their life, dreams, and goals. Stillness Therapy is founded on the belief that self-awareness is painful but transformative. Though part of my approach is science-based, I look at therapy as more of an art, a spiritual and poetic quest. What sets me apart from others is that my practice is truly collaborative via mutual feedback. Receiving feedback from each client helps me learn what’s working for them and what isn’t working. Feedback enables me to, if possible, work through what isn’t working and collaborate with my clients in order to find a better, alternative approach that works for them.

I am most excited about the creative process behind continuing to build my business and make it sustainable. I started my own business because I value my freedom and independence. As a child of immigrants, with few access to resources, it was difficult making the decision to give up a secure paycheck to follow my dreams, but it’s been totally worth it. It’s been a lot of hard work, and continues to be challenging, but I feel more rested than ever before. Being able to manage my own schedule, work more or work less, take days off when I need them, or rearrange things to accommodate my personal life and needs has felt freeing.

A major lesson I’ve learned along the way is that folks will have lots of opinions about what to do or how to do it, but it’s okay to take your time with figuring things out. Initially, I struggled with identifying my niche, but these answers have come in time (and they’re still evolving!). My awareness and understanding of my business has come when I allow myself to tune into what I want, what I need, and what my intuition tells me versus paying too much mind to outside noise. Do what feels good to you!

I want folks to know that I am open for business! I am a licensed clinical social worker with an active license to practice in California, Colorado, and Texas. My therapy rate is $170 per session. I also provide psychological evaluations for immigration cases (i.e. VAWA). Lastly, I am looking into teaching online courses for an online graduate program, and I am really excited to explore teaching and to connect with students.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Sooo many things I would want to show them. First, we’d hit up Cruzita’s Deli and Cafe for iced cafe de olla, iced matcha latte or a mexican mocha latte. We’d go to Palos Verdes for my favorite hike overseeing the pacific ocean. We’d visit 555 East in Long Beach for oysters, iceberg wedge salad, steaks, and Last Word cocktails. Downtown Los Angeles speakeasies Death & Co. or The Varnish for more cocktails. If in season, we’d visit Chavez-Ravine for a Dodgers game and grab some tacos at Angel’s or King Taco post-game. I would also love to take them to my alma matter in Santa Barbara for sight-seeing, beach time, and wine tasting.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
There are many people who have had a significant influence in my journey and growth as a human and a therapist. Shoutout to my parents, former teachers and counselors who saw me and believed in me. Shoutout to my day one friends (Massiel, Jay, and Sella), my cousins (Edgar, Hugo, Karla, Andrea, and Paola), and former mentors (Kristopher McLucas and Dr. Sara) for their support, encouragement, and guidance.

Website: https://www.stillnesstherapy.net/

Instagram: instagram.com/stillnesstherapy

Image Credits
Sergio Clavel