Today we’d like to introduce you to Alyssa Negron.
Hi Alyssa, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
Ok, so my journey to becoming a therapist starts with a funny story. I was working as a Middle School Science teacher in New York City and my principal would pass by my classroom often. I was a new teacher, working in Harlem and I related to my students well. One day he tells me, “I’m not sure what you’re teaching but I don’t think it’s science.” lol. The truth is, I wasn’t teaching Science for the whole class period. Daily, I would take time at the beginning of class to check in with my students and see how each of them was doing, and where they were at. When I explained that to my Principal, he laughed and said, “no wonder they like you so much, maybe you should be a guidance counselor.”
To be honest, I wasn’t surprised. I had been told for most of my life that I always tried to see the best in people, be non-judgmental, and I liked to talk to understand. My mom would say that I should be a lawyer because I liked to argue for people, or that I would probably be a good psychologist. I come from a long line of educators and pastors. To say we’ve been taught or endowed with a talent to see beyond surface level, is the least of it.
I wanted to help facilitate change in these students lives, but I realized teaching wasn’t going to be the entire scope of what I wanted to do. I left teaching and began directing programming at Girl Scouts of Greater New York where I was able to create curriculum, train teachers, staff and run a program that helped girls in Bronx, Brooklyn and Queens navigate life and career paths from an early age. This program gave many girls the opportunity to envision a life for themselves that they never had before. This amazing position, gave me the ability to see and influence change from a more macro level while still having the ability to engage with people individually. Here I learned more about fundraising, budgeting, being on executive staff, non-profits and partnerships. Towards the end of this 8 year program was when I decided to go back to graduate school for my degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling.
I decided to attend Liberty University in Virginia for my graduate degree because it allowed me to not only learn how to become a highly trained therapist, but to also integrate the Christian and Spiritual worldview for myself and for my clients that wanted a therapist with that skill set.
It was at that time that I relocated my family to Florida for a better educational experience for my daughter, and of course for the beautiful weather. I finished my degree program from Florida and started my internships. The process to become a therapist is long and involved, and the learning never really ends.
I have had amazing experiences and been witness to hold space for the biggest joys in life and also heartbreaking trauma. It is such an honor to be a safe safe for people and to help them learn how to process emotions, cope with anxiety, depression, life changes and walk beside them as they create the life they desire for themselves. In this process, I was introduced to a fantastic transformational personal growth program called P3 that has been in Orlando for over 20 years. I now facilitate workshops with them throughout the year as well. I co-facilitate a teen personal growth camp called Camp Lionheart, that focuses on communication, emotional agility, conflict resolution and fun! I was also blessed with the opportunity to work with another therapist from California in the creation of an app called SHiFT. Here therapists create their own MasterSessions where they tell their life story, and what led them to become therapist. It focuses on community, emotional wellness, and really wellness of all kinds.
It has been such a wonderful journey and I am really excited to see where it leads to next!
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Well, I would say “Florida smooth”. Not recently paved, but paved with some potholes lolol. Finding internship placement in Florida was difficult, then in the middle our nation was struck with Covid-19 creating it’s own series of hardships and difficulties for my family. I have a daughter with asthma and had to end employment at one place and find another Qualified supervisor to finish my hours. As soon as I was fully licensed, I started my own private practice The Walk Therapy and had to learn and navigate all that is involved in being a small business owner. All of this while having 2 daughters graduate High School, and start college. It is no wonder I specialize in helping people find and re-identify themselves, their values and their direction after crisis and life changes.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I am a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Therapist and Spiritual Life Coach. I am the owner of The Walk Therapy, Facilitator of P3 workshops, Facilitator at Camp Lionheart and Sr. Producer of SHiFT. I provide these services in both English and Spanish.
I walk alongside people through their healing journey to Mental Health, Emotional and Spiritual wellness. I specialize in helping people process emotions and learn how to cope well with the variety of life adjustments that come after any life change, trauma or crisis. I use various modalities such as: talk therapy, CBT, TFCBT, Psychotherapy and narrative therapy in sessions. I find pathways in business and life, and empower people to live beyond their limiting beliefs.
I am most proud of my daughters Anastacia and Grace. They live life out loud and lead with compassion and understanding. We live in a household where we try our best to walk our talk and show up for ourselves, each other and others, in a healthy, grounded, spiritually reflective way. We strive for excellence and integrity in how we live and the things we do. We love big and want to make a difference.
I think what sets me apart from others is the non-linear path my life has had. From growing up in the Bronx, having children in Puerto Rico, to developing professionally in New York City and Orlando, I’ve been fortunate to have life experiences that have taught me much and served me well, to serve others.
Is there anyone you’d like to thank or give credit to?
OMG so many people have supported me along the way! My QS – Crystal Conley, my closest friend and mentor Josh Magro LMHC, my camp husband and co-facilitator of our Camp Lionheart family Dan Chancellor. Owners of P3 and life sounding boards Denise McCarthy and Alicia Carrasco. Dr. Isabell Springer, the brilliant founder of SHiFT and friend. My aunts, uncles and my dad who have mentored me spiritually through the most difficult things in life. My sister and brother, Linda and Wayne who have been by my side since I used to steal their clothing growing up. My daughters who have been witness to the many versions of me and our unbreakable bond. To Andrew, he makes sense of all the things I don’t want to deal with (keeping my house standing) and my greatest friends Michelle Magro and Shiela Wyatt who hear all my dirt and celebrate all of life’s highs and lows with me,
All my clients, campers and parents who entrust me with the most private, precious, tender and difficult parts of their life. And not last but first, I always give all the credit to God who guides me through life’s crazy journey and has blessed me with a rich life.
Pricing:
- Individual Sessions $200+
- Teen Camp $1200/week/pp
- SHiFT $49 a month
- P3 Workshop $650/pp
Contact Info:
- Website: www.TheWalkTherapy.com and www.LiveOakBehavioralHealth.com
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alyssa-negron-5a002b28
- Other: TheLimitlessinstitute.com and Shiftmastersessions.com
Image Credits
Camp Lionheart, Josh Magro, P3 Limitless Institute, SHiFT
