Irene Velasco, MFT

I am an experienced, culturally responsive therapist dedicated to helping adult children of immigrants overcome depression, anxiety, and low self-esteem through compassionate, evidence-based care that honors their identities and intergenerational experiences.

I’m a therapist who specializes in working with adult children of immigrants who find themselves pulled between cultures, expectations, and identities—often while carrying a quiet, relentless sense that they must do more to be “enough.” My clients are thoughtful, capable people who have accomplished so much with so little, yet still feel the sting of imposter syndrome, the pressure to be perfect, and the guilt that can come with saying no, resting, or prioritizing themselves. If you’ve ever felt like you’re always “on”—code-switching, translating, people-pleasing, overachieving, and silently minimizing your own needs—I want you to know you’re not alone, and that there is a path forward that honors your story, your values, and your wholeness.

Clients often describe me as compassionate, warm, curious, and open. I show up as a real person in the room—steady, thoughtful, and without judgment. My approach is trauma-informed and culturally responsive, grounded in evidence-based practices that help translate insight into sustainable change. I draw on cognitive behavioral therapy to examine unhelpful thought patterns, acceptance and commitment therapy to clarify values and increase psychological flexibility, mindfulness-based strategies to build awareness and calm, and somatic and attachment-informed practices to support nervous system regulation and emotional safety. Across all my work, I adhere to trauma-informed principles: safety, trust, choice, collaboration, and empowerment.

Being an adult child of immigrants can mean living at the crossroads of gratitude and obligation, ambition and exhaustion, pride and invisibility. You may have been a cultural bridge in your family—translating documents, advocating for loved ones, maintaining peace, or assuming responsibilities far beyond your years. In school or at work, you may navigate bias or microaggressions while feeling you must be twice as good to be seen as competent. At home, you might feel the weight of unspoken rules about family loyalty and “not making waves,” even when your needs are unmet. This complexity can seed imposter feelings: “If I were truly capable, I wouldn’t feel anxious.” “If I had really earned this, I wouldn’t need help.” The truth is that your experiences make sense in context. Therapy with me is a place to make that context visible, so you can stop internalizing systems and start honoring your strengths.

In our sessions, we slow down to notice what’s happening inside and around you—your thoughts, your body’s cues, your emotions, and the roles you’ve learned to play. We untangle narratives like “rest is selfish,” “good children don’t set boundaries,” or “success must look a certain way.” We also map the protective strategies that helped you survive—such as overpreparing, people-pleasing, staying small, and working nonstop—so that we can thank them for what they’ve done and build new options that fit who you are today. We will explore your cultural values and the wisdom you’ve inherited, and we’ll also create room for your own preferences, limits, and dreams. I’m not here to tell you how to be more “assertive” in a way that ignores your culture. I’m here to help you practice integrity—living in a way that aligns with your values, honors your family, and still protects your energy and dignity.

Imposter syndrome can manifest as perfectionism, procrastination, dismissing your accomplishments, feeling like a “fraud,” or bracing for the moment you’ll be “found out.” Together, we’ll build a more compassionate internal voice and experiment with new behaviors that expand your comfort zone without overwhelming your nervous system. This might look like practicing boundary scripts, reality-testing imposter thoughts, tracking evidence of your competence and impact, and learning to tolerate the usual discomfort that comes with being visible. We’ll also widen your definition of competence to include relational skills, cultural intelligence, resilience, and creativity—forms of excellence that dominant cultures often overlook.

Being your most authentic self doesn’t mean choosing one culture over another; it means giving yourself permission to be whole. In our work, we will make room for all of your identities and experiences to be present—your family story, your language(s), your spirituality, your queerness, your neurodivergence, your passions, your grief, your hopes. We will clarify what you want your life to stand for and make decisions based on those values, rather than from fear or habit. When authenticity feels risky, we will move at a pace that respects your nervous system. I will help you build tolerance for being known—to yourself first, and then to others who have earned the right to witness you.

My style is collaborative and active. I bring structure when it’s helpful and spaciousness when it’s needed. Sessions may include guided exercises, values work, cognitive reframing, mindfulness and grounding practices, compassion-based techniques, and actionable skills you can use between sessions. We will track your progress and make adjustments as needed. I believe therapy works best when you feel both supported and challenged in a way that feels safe. I won’t push you faster than your system can handle; I will invite you toward growth that feels possible and sustainable.

Cultural humility is central to my approach. I don’t assume; I ask and I listen. You are the expert on your lived experience and the meanings you make. I am here to offer tools, perspective, and a relational space where your complexity is welcome. We will name systemic and intergenerational forces—racism, xenophobia, classism, gendered expectations, colonial narratives—so you don’t carry what is not yours. Together, we’ll celebrate the cultural strengths you bring: resourcefulness, commitment to family, multilingual fluency, adaptability, community care, and an ability to create joy in the midst of challenge.
Therapy is not about becoming someone new; it’s about coming home to yourself. You do not need to earn rest, love, or belonging. You do not need another credential to prove your worth. You deserve a life that feels congruent—where your inner voice is kind, your boundaries are respected, and your choices reflect your values. There may be grief in letting go of old roles and expectations, and there can also be profound relief. I will be with you in the in-between, offering steadiness and skills as you practice new ways of being.

If we work together, you can expect transparency, consent, and collaboration at every step. I’ll check in regularly to see what’s working for you and what’s not, and we’ll adjust our plan accordingly. I welcome feedback and will adapt the pace and techniques to fit your needs, cultural context, and goals. When needed, I can coordinate with other providers to support your care. I respect the courage it takes to seek therapy, and I hold that trust with care.

I am honored to support first-generation and multigenerational adult children of immigrants, immigrants themselves, and anyone navigating the liminal space between worlds. Whether you’re facing a transition, navigating family dynamics, healing from trauma, building confidence at work, or simply longing to feel more at ease in your own skin, I’m here to help you make a life that feels like yours. If this resonates, I invite you to reach out so we can explore whether we’re a good fit. You deserve care that sees you fully and supports you in becoming more of who you already are.