Today we’d like to introduce you to Claudia Abalo.
Hi Claudia, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
In short, as a Cuban-born immigrant, my parents taught me the meaning of sacrifice and hard work. Growing up in the United States was not easy, but because of personal life experiences, I decided to become a counselor and help others who have been through the same or similar experiences.
More specifically, in addition to experiencing the trauma of leaving my home country and family in Cuba, I was sexually assaulted before leaving, when I was just 6 years old. After my family arrived in the U.S., it was difficult to acculturate into a new culture without knowing the language. My family and I were poor, so I was bullied a lot. I had no self-esteem. I ended up pregnant at the end of my senior year of high school, and though I married the father, the marriage ended shortly thereafter due to his drug use, and he left me for another woman when I was just 4 months pregnant. But 4 years later, I met a wonderful man and we’ve been together ever since. He not only loved me and loved my daughter as his own, but encouraged me to go to college, which I thought was impossible. One day, he drove me to Miami Dade Community College, where I registered and began taking one class on Saturdays. However, I was not fully committed to college until I was 37. Now living in Orlando, I was tired of working for others, not making enough money, and not having a career. So even though I had a full-time job, a husband, two kids, a dog, a cat, and household duties, I was determined to have my own practice. I got an Associate’s in Psychology in 2010, a Bachelor’s in Psychology in 2013, and a Master’s Degree in Science with a concentration in Mental Health Counseling in 2016. Finally, in 2019, I became a Licensed Mental Health Counselor in the State of Florida. In the Spring of 2019, with the help of my wonderful husband, I opened my own practice and had a waitlist within 6 months. Due to my training, and personal experiences, I am able to help clients with a vast array of mental health disorders, such as anxiety (GAD), depression (MDD), anger issues, PTSD, and binge eating disorder, but I specialize in helping survivors of domestic abuse/violence and sexual trauma. I also enjoy helping clients increase their self-esteem, self-confidence, and assertiveness. I love empowering clients to live their best life, as I model living my own. Now, I am working on my doctorate in general psychology with the plan to become a college professor in 2026.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Not knowing the language when I came from Cuba,
Being poor.
Being bullied.
Being physically abused at home.
Having a violent boyfriend in high school.
Getting pregnant in high school and marrying a crack addict, and then him leaving me for another woman while I was pregnant.
But the hardest struggle was having a child at the age of 18. There were many days I thought I would not make it.
So let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Many clients have told me that they like my direct, no-nonsense style of counseling, which has been difficult for them to find in other therapists. While I provide empathy, I also provide a real outlook on clients’ circumstances, provide them with various options, and empower them to make the best decision for themselves. Many clients have also expressed that they appreciate my multicultural approach to therapy, which extends from my own life experiences, and that I am most proud of.
I want future clients to know that I am not only a therapist, but that I am human and practice the same skills that I teach them.
Who else deserves credit in your story?
God gets all the credit, for without him, I would not be here. God also placed people in my life who became integral to my success.
But my daughter was the reason I did not give up on life.
My husband has been the driving force behind my career.
My oldest sister took care of my daughter for me to attend college, one class at a time, on Saturdays.
Having my son, at 30, further strengthened me to continue my studies to become a therapist.
And my supervisor, while I was interning, was extremely supportive in helping me become a therapist. Then once I got licensed, she was another driving force in helping me open my practice.
Pricing:
- $125 adult counseling fee
- $80 Military/FR/Teacher counseling fee
- $75 college student counseling fee
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.wdcounseling.com
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/claudia-abalo-4a7a5023b/
