Today we’d like to introduce you to Yeira de Leon.
Hi Yeira, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I was born in Redondo Beach California and moved to Inglewood where I spent the majority of my childhood. My parents are from a small beautiful mountain town in Guatemala they came here as immigrants and worked really hard to provide for me and my little brother. My story is one of overcoming adventure, adversity, and resilience like many other immigrant families, systematic oppression, financial instability, and marginalized crime were a part of my childhood experience. It’s always difficult to admit out loud the adversities that shape us but my story is no different than most individuals who grew up in my neighborhood. I dove deep into my own self-exploration in my mid-twenties and search for a professional that could help me. Much to my dismay, I never found that person, so in that season of my life I decided to become the person I needed in order to heal. The journey to learning to wholeheartedly love myself and treat myself with compassion was not easy but it was worth it.
A professor in grad school told me that no one can make you a therapist, either you have “it” or you don’t, he further explained that the program was simply there to provide us with tools and the knowledge necessary. I recognize now, many years later, what he meant. I was always the kid that others confided in, I was the girl that held people’s hands when doing something scary, I am the friend whose shoulder is there to cry on. Although my identity is not rooted in my career, it is one of my passions. Lucky for me I met a girl freshman year of college that I clicked with, and we embarked on a whirlwind adventure together, her name is Sarah and she is my best friend that so happens to share the same passion. We swore to eventually work together and many, many, many years later Canopy & Light Counseling was born. I’m proud of what we have built and looking forward to helping our community and evolve in our profession.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Canopy & Light Counseling was born during the midst of the pandemic. As you can imagine, it was very difficult at first to get our names out there. While it was not convenient, it was necessary, our community needed us more than ever so we did it. We have been in business for two years and it continues to grow more and more each day.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
Canopy & Light Counseling is a private practice that specializes in trauma & substance abuse but is not limited to those areas. Our brand is authenticity and the idea that you are in control of your life. We are simply here to provide a safe place (canopy) and help our clients find their own path through various interventions such as psychotalktherapy, EMDR, brainspotting, and yoga therapy (light). Our job is to help you build a life worth LOVING.
What do you like and dislike about the city?
I love Atlanta. We are the heart of the South, filled with culture, amazing music, and amazing food what’s not to love. What I dislike the most will have to be traffic… I’m sure I’m not the only one. Also, a pro tip to anyone wanting to come visit, please don’t say hotatlanta, WE DON’T CALL IT THAT!
Pricing:
- Initial Assessment $150
- On-going Sessions $135
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.canopyandlightcounseling.org
- Instagram: canopylightcounseling
- Facebook: Canopy & Light Counseling
Image Credits
Mandie Mills
