Meet Tina Gonzalez | Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist & Founder of Flor Y Siendo Therapy and Wellness

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

Hi Tina, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
I am the daughter of hard-working immigrants from Mexico who were faithful employees for their respective companies for many years. I was taught to keep my head down and work hard (for someone else). So starting my own business was not something I ever thought I would do. After many years of working for other people (school districts and community mental health organizations), I felt limited in what I could do and how I serve the community so I found myself starting to dream of what my ideal workplace would look like. As I did, I realized that this employer didn’t exist which was the catalyst for me to explore what starting my own business would entail and create a plan for this ideal mental health practice. It would center the people that I worked with; be trauma-informed and one that would support the empowerment of the population that I was most passionate about serving adult survivors of childhood sexual abuse and women of color.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I designed my practice guided by the intention of creating a service and space that answered the question “What would the practice that I needed at (fill in the blank) stage in life?” The reason for this is that I serve people with similar backgrounds and life experiences to my own: first-generation, women of color, who often struggle to put themselves first while trying to make sure it looks like they have it all together. Unfortunately, childhood trauma, often sexual abuse is a very real factor in their lives and the work we do together. My practice is still developing and growing to meet the needs of the people that I work with and, realistically, my own. Although it has been a challenge to find out what that is, the flexibility that this has afforded has helped my practice grow as well as the people I have worked with. I have learned that there are no steps back, just steps in different directions.

Flor Y Siendo, is a play on the Spanish word “floreciendo” meaning to bloom. “Flor” is a flower/bloom/blossom and “siendo” is being. Flor Y Siendo means to bloom and to be, it honors the journey and process, and state of being that occurs across the lifespan in trauma, in healing, and in the space in between. My brand stands with the foundational belief that the healing journey is ongoing and that in simply being we hold healing gifts and wisdom within ourselves. My role is to help people connect with that wisdom.

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.
If my best friend were in town, I would want to offer them a low-key but also one that is engaging to their senses. I would probably start at Iron & Kin, their Kindhearted Affirmation Latte is my favorite, it’s based on the owner’s grandmother’s mole recipe. Then we would head over to the California Botanic Garden to walk the grounds, explore the biodiversity of the California landscape, and maybe even join one of their many classes such as yoga, drawing, or making natural dyes. Then we can grab lunch at the 4th Street Mill and then get our creative juices going at an introductory ceramic session at the American Museum of Ceramic Art (AMOCA).

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I have been fortunate to have the support of colleagues and mentors throughout my career who not only challenged and encouraged me but also helped me see what I could not see in myself. My parents and their unending devotion and support have taught me that the things worth fighting for may not be easy to attain but require commitment and determination.

My high school counselor Mrs. Sally Combs Soike saw me for who I was and what I had the potential to do in the future. My college professor and mentor Mrs. Nancy Hanson encouraged me and helped me build the skills to enter the counseling field. The counseling team and administrative staff at Culver City High School especially Tim Walker who not only guided me in one of my first internship experiences but truly listened and challenged me whole-heartedly. Dr. Laurel Bear and the Gateway to Success Team at the Alhambra Unified School District helped me see where my career and heart would thrive.

And finally, a beautiful community of friends and colleagues (you know who you are) who have supported, lifted me, and celebrated with me.

They have made all the difference and my gratitude for that is infinite.

Website: https://www.florysiendotherapyandwellness.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/florysiendo_therapyandwellness/

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

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

Other: https://open.spotify.com/user/4yrisko9yl7h7iik0tkksqbw5

Image Credits
Nicole Godinez Photography | Rebecca Zeller Photography | Logo by Mariana Gomez Estudio