Conversations with Raven Vega

Today, we’d like to introduce you to Raven Vega.

Hi Raven, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I have loved getting to know other humans for as long as I can remember. I knew I liked talking to others, and others enjoyed talking to me. I was curious about behavior, identity, and expression from a young age. I was comfortable talking about things others might have shied away from, and I was glad to help others feel more comfortable expressing their thoughts, feelings, and opinions, too!

I decided to go to grad school for Clinical Mental Health Counseling after spending a few years working with neurodivergent children, teens, and adults in various community settings. Ultimately, I knew I wanted to be a therapist and serve the communities I was also a part of. Fast forward to now, and I have had the honor of serving the queer community in Atlanta for about four years now!

Let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what challenges have you had to overcome?
Although I finished grad school in the midst of a COVID surge, it allowed me to grow comfortable counseling folks virtually. It took time to adjust to connecting with others online, but it gave me an opportunity to get creative with the ways I built relationships with my clients, especially my teens! I enjoy playing games with clients and encourage many creative expression and body movement practices, which, surprisingly, people might feel more comfortable trying online than in person!

Sitting with people and their stories can be heavy if you are not actively pouring back into yourself, so I’d say another challenge was figuring out the rituals of care I needed to maintain to be present and grounded for my clients. I think that is a lifelong practice, getting to know you and how to care for you, so I gladly continue to explore that realm.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar with what you do, what can you tell them about what you do?
I am a psychotherapist and work for a group practice called the Aguirre Center for Inclusive Psychotherapy. I specialize in working with queer and BIPOC folks, including those in kinky or alternative relationship structures! I see both adults and teens. I help people get comfortable listening to their bodies and learning about themselves. Whether that is figuring out how to move your emotions through you or processing your lived experiences with an encouraging and curious ear.

I am incredibly proud to have this community role. I am proud to have the honor of witnessing people and their vulnerability, creativity, courage, and softness. I am so proud of my client’s choice to show up for themselves week after week.

I like to think my energy and lived experiences are what separates me. Nobody will ever be the same as you, think the same as you, feel the same as you, or live the same life. My ability to help others explore who they are and the possibility of who they could be is the resource I am grateful to offer.

Before we go, is there anything else you can share with us?
It takes a lot of courage to share your humanity with another person. I encourage you to leap, whether with a friend, a family member, or a therapist.

Over the past few years, my work has taught me that our greatest resource, our greatest coping skill, will always be leaning on our communities. Find your chosen family and community, and let yourself love and be loved.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.inclusivepsych.com/ravenvega
• Other: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/raven-vega-atlanta-ga/868245