Inspiring Conversations with Ana of Coronado Counseling

Today we’d like to introduce you to Ana.

Hi Ana, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I am a therapist in Atlanta who started her own practice in 2023. I didn’t always want to be a therapist. I actually spent a few years running away from it. My parents are both immigrants who worked very hard in the restaurant business to give me the opportunity to be the first in the family to attend college. I had to navigate the process on my own as my parents weren’t able to provide much help given their level of education and understanding of the American school system, so it was an interesting experience. At Emory University, I become enthralled with sociology, the idea of studying people and how we function in the systems we are in. After graduating in 2010, I found my way to Austin, Texas where I attended graduate school at the University of Austin at Texas’ School of Social Work. There are so many things you can do with a master’s degree in social work, and yet, I kept being assigned counseling positions. I have worked in the school system with kids ranging in age from 6 to 19. Youth in the Juvenile Justice System providing individual, family, and group therapy along with advocating for them in court. The intensity of the work in the juvenile probation system along with community mental health had me wondering if being a therapist was the right path for me so I took a hiatus and dove into medical social work working with families in the oncology department at CHOA and later with adults at Emory Hemophilia of Georgia. It was at Emory where I got to dip my toes back into therapy that I decided I wanted to start my own practice as I regained some of the confidence that had been shaken earlier in my career. Today, I spend my weeks providing individual and couples counseling virtually in Georgia, Florida, Texas and New York, and in person at my office in Atlanta. As cheesy as it may sound, I think I was meant to be a therapist and play a supporting role in peoples lives. I’ve been exposed to a lot, both in my personal and professional life, that has taught me to see the complex nature of human beings and allows me to see the greatness and potential we all carry. Whether it be depression or anxiety, communication or attachment, I think in the end we all want to be happy and living a life worth living.

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?
Yes and no. I was pretty lost when I made my way onto Emory’s campus. I had no idea what I wanted to do or how to make it happen. Being the daughter of immigrant parents, I felt it was my duty to be a doctor and bring both honor and pride to the family. Not shortly after classes started did I quickly realize I was not going to be a doctor. Mid-way through college, my dad lost his business, which put a lot of financial stress and strain on my family. I was not sure I would be able to obtain my college degree. After graduate school, when I moved back to Atlanta in 2014, I started working at CHRIS180, providing both community mental health support and working in their juvenile probation program. This was an incredibly difficult job. I learned so much about the impact of environment on access, family dynamics, and the legal system. I often found myself lost and stuck feeling incapable of moving the needle in any direction with the kids I was assigned. I thought going into medical social work would be easier, but I found myself working with children diagnosed with terminal diagnoses providing families a shoulder to cry on more than anything else. The amount of loss I witnessed in those 4 years is still something I am coping with and working through. On a personal note, this past year has probably been one of the most transformative of my life. I divorced my partner who I’d been with for the past 15 years. It’s incredibly humbling, and at times feels embarrassing, to be a therapist and not have it all together. I work with people every day on bettering their relationships and I was going through it. But, I also realized that I had to practice what I preached. At some point, when things are not getting better, and you have done all you could, you have to make changes, do hard things, and lean into the uncertainty of life. I think humans are afraid of change because we have no idea what it looks like and our nervous system loves predictability. Just because it feels “comfortable” doesn’t mean it’s right. It’s hard. Looking back now, all the hardships I’ve endured have paved the way for some amazing opportunities I never could have imagined.

Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Coronado Counseling is my private practice. I work with adults, ages 18-60, who are seeking support as they navigate life. A lot of the people I see have high-functioning anxiety and depression. My clients consist of people who on the outside appear to have it all: career, family, relationship, confidence, etc. but internally, they are sitting with a lot of fear and pressure to keep it together, be perfect. Often, these individual sit with the belief that they are “not enough” or have something to prove to receive the external validation, not fully believing in their own worthiness. I also work with couples offering pre-martial counseling and couples therapy to those in relationships who are looking for preventive support. Couples who might be stuck in a rut or having issues communicating or connecting with their partner. I think it’s incredibly helpful to have a third party who can witness and pick up on non-verbal cues and help facilitate conversations that otherwise go unsaid. I have recently started seeing clients in a relationship coaching role. I began offering this service as I was seeing an increase in people wanting help finding a partner and having difficulty navigating the dating scene. I think Covid really took a toll on our ability and comfort to connect with others IRL, but it has also impacted how people show up and maneuver dating apps. My goal is is to help people build their communication skills, revamp their dating app profiles (if pursuing a partner online), and work through the anxiety that might come from approaching a stranger in real life.

How do you think about happiness?
The little things in life. I have a “Daily Appreciation” page in my Notes app that I clear out every morning and add to as the day progresses with the things I appreciate and find joy in. It almost always starts with morning cuddles from my dog, Lola, who is a major source of my happiness. I enjoy waking up early to see the sunrise. My friends, connection, and food. Being able to do what I love for a living makes me happy. It doesn’t feel like work. Sure, there are days when it feels heavy or I overbooked by time, but I am so honored and appreciate the people who trust me with their time and story. I think when you keep it simple, it’s easy to find happiness every day.

Pricing:

• Private Pay Individual Therapy sessions are $160 for 45-60 mins
• Couples Therapy sessions are only private pay at $180/hour
• Relationship Coaching sessions are only private pay at $150/hour
• I am paneled with various insurance providers that depending on benefits can provide therapy for $0-160.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.coronadocounselingllc.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/coronadocounselingllc?igsh=MWg1dW50a3B5dmRnbA%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
• Other: https://www.psychologytoday.com/profile/1128574