Meet Alicia Vélez | Psychotherapist & Licensed Clinical Social Worker

We had the good fortune of connecting with Alicia Vélez and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Alicia, we’d love to start by asking you about lessons learned. Is there a lesson you can share with us?
My business has taught me many lessons over the years, and it continues to teach me more as it grows and evolves. One consistent lesson I have learned is that creating something for myself was never about the pressure to make a lot of money, tempting as it may be. Rather, it was about finding a sustainable way to achieve economic sovereignty that also allowed me to be closer to my values. Creating something for myself was a way to honor and respect my own wants and needs without the burnout and constrictions that I was experiencing in settings where I was achieving someone else’s dream at the sake of my own. I wanted a career pathway that would allow me time with my family, where I could live a healthier lifestyle in mind and body, and be able to do the activities that I enjoy. My parents and grandparents often did not have a choice. They worked very hard often just to survive. I am grateful for their sacrifices which allowed me to get to a point where I could even consider being an entrepreneur. Yet, I wanted to make a paradigm shift where the next generations of my family no longer need to live their lives solely focused on work, but we could work as a means to live the lives we want to live.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
TELL US MORE ABOUT YOUR BUSINESS:
I own a psychotherapy private-practice focused on the populations with whom I feel a deep connection: first-gen and bicultural folks, young professionals, fierce women, and injured athletes. I see clients who live in both New York (virtually) and Colorado (in-person and virtually). The former is where I was born and raised. At my core, I am a gritty New Yorker, but the latter is my chosen home, and embodies the values I’ve grown into – access to nature, living more mindfully, and a focus on movement and health.

In my practice, I help:
-first-gen and bicultural folks around issues of identity, intergenerational trauma, and the reconciliation of the cultural divide between parents and children;
-young professionals establish boundaries, recover from burnout and imposter syndrome, and live a life closer to their values;
-women who have learned to be tough and strong get in touch with their softness and vulnerability translating into better professional, social, and intimate relationships;
-athletes recovering from injury so they can regain their confidence to get back to sport and movement;

My business was built out of a need to authentically show up for myself so I could authentically show up for other people.
Everyday that a client sits in front of me and allows me to bear witness to their story is the greatest privilege of my life.

WHAT SETS YOU APART FROM OTHERS
There are a couple of things that set me apart from others. First and foremost is I’m a New Yorker. I’m real and authentic. Please don’t hear that as I am not warm and empathic. I will absolutely validate your experience and your pain. I can hold space with you in the darkest of times. However, I think anyone looking for a more direct, practical, and not-beating-around-the-bush approach in Colorado would do well with me, especially other transplants where our vibes might look a bit different than the ones endemic here. I’m not trying to be a therapist version of myself who talks circles around you or asks existential questions. I’m just me. Straight up. What you see is what you get, and I think showing up with that authenticity lends itself well to building meaningful and lasting therapeutic relationships where change can happen.

The second thing that sets me apart is my training as a social worker. There are lots of degrees to become a therapist, but social work is a little bit different because we are trained to see a client as a holistic person interacting with many systems within an environment. So instead of just looking at what’s going on mentally or emotionally, we see humans as complex and multidimensional beings who have developed in reaction to a set of socio, political, and economic circumstances that have contributed to the client’s thoughts, feelings, belief systems, and behaviors. This is important because instead of looking at clients as diagnoses or symptoms, we are taking the time to understand that all clients, no matter their struggles, are inherently doing the best that they can do to live and survive. I believe in seeing the strengths, not the deficits, and nurturing the inherent capabilities and capacities that have always been inside my clients but just need a little help coming back out. Lastly, as a social worker, I have been trained to find resources. Not all therapists provide resources. Some just stay in their talk-therapy lane, but I’ve helped clients find doctors, practice job interview skills, or have even given travel recommendations. If these things increase my clients’ quality of life, get them closer to their values, and create some joy then I am supporting their growth.

HOW DID YOU GET TO WHERE YOU ARE TODAY BUSINESS-WISE.
I started my own business during COVID as a way to live a life more aligned with my own values. However, this was easier said than done. I grew up with first-gen working class parents, the son and daughter of Puerto Rican immigrants, who believed a good education and hard work would reward you with less pain and suffering in life. Well, I had gotten a masters degree and was working my butt off, but all I had to show for it was burnout. It didn’t make sense. Like many millennials, I had followed the rules and achieved the things but it wasn’t working. I knew I had to make a change. Life wasn’t sustainable this way nor were my relationships. However, I had a pension on the line and I was making the best salary I ever had in my life, could I realistically walk away from that? It was hard to let go and take a risk where I would not have reliable income for the first-time in my adult life, especially as a woman who wanted to remain independent. While I did not know what the future entailed, I was sure that I felt stressed, irritable, exhausted, and unhealthy. This time I wasn’t going to push past the pain. I was going to listen to the pain and try and figure out what it was trying to tell me. I made the jump. I quit my job. I decided that I was going to own something of my own and put my values first. I was going to work to live not live to work. And I became the first entrepreneur in my family.

WHAT I LEARNED:
You are nothing without your health.
You can make more money, but you cannot make more time.
Pause and take time to listen to your body and feelings. They hold a wealth of information.
You won’t know everything. That’s OK. The process is iterative.

WHAT I AM MOST PROUD OF:
My proudest moments are when my clients recognize that the problems they initially presented with to therapy have now resolved.
I am proud when:
A client who used to be shy at work and struggled with imposter syndrome is now stepping up and leading projects and teams in their new role;
A client who was using substances to cope has found healthier ways to engage in stress management;
A client who has been in a relationship for years, not getting their wants and needs met, finally has the courage to respect themself and find the love that they want and deserve.
There’s no greater satisfaction than watching someone finally overcome obstacles to get back to who they were always meant to be. I’m proud of my clients’ ability to consistently show up week after week, put the work in, and become their true selves. Honestly, the best compliment is someone discharging from therapy. I know many therapists would be scared to admit this because it’s a loss of income, but what could be better than a well-functioning and thriving client who doesn’t need me anymore?!

WHAT I WANT THE WORLD TO KNOW ABOUT MY BRAND OR STORY:
Therapy is like going to the gym or taking vitamins – you do it to stay healthy and to give you the resilience you need to overcome the inevitable challenges that will come your way. You don’t need to wait until your struggles start disrupting your life or relationships.
We all have stories. Come share yours with me. I promise to listen and show up consistently as we work together to flip the script and get you living the life that you have always dreamed of. I’ll be the one who shows up for you even on days where it’s difficult to show up for yourself. I’m not scared to sit in the suck with you. We are in this together.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Day 1: Denver
Walk around Tennyson Street in Berkeley neighborhood. Pick up a lavender matcha latte from Call Your Mother. Hit up some of the boutiques in the neighborhood especially Dona Forte and Lady Jones. If you’re in need of some recycled outdoor or exercise clothes, stop by Feral. Super good prices and since you’ll be heading into the mountains in a few days, may be a good place to stock up on some gear. Once you’ve worked up an appetite, take a short Uber to Bodega Denver and opt for the Boujee sandwich. So good! Go back to the hotel and freshen up and get ready for your night out. Meet for cocktails at The Cruise Room, a vintage cocktail bar inside the Oxford Hotel. Then head to dinner at Molotov, a modern Ukrainian Restaurant, listed by NYTimes as one of the top 50 restaurants in USA. Later, head to Mission Ballroom for a headlining concert.

Day 2: Denver
Have breakfast and coffee at The Bindery in Highlands. Great almond croissant! Stroll through the Highlands neighborhood, walk across Confluence Park, Commons Park, City of Cuernavaca Parks on your way towards downtown. Stop and take a peak at Denver Union Station. Check out Tattered Covered Books, an independent bookstore. Opt for a midday cocktail at Ultreia. They have banging gin and tonics! Continue walking uptown and stop by the Dairy Block for some boutique shopping on your way to the RiNo area. RiNo is like the Williamsburg of Denver, an old warehouse neighborhood that has now been converted into galleries, breweries, boutiques, and hip and trendy bars and restaurants. Check out some of the murals and graffiti in its nooks, crannies, and back alleys. For lunch, try Rye for a delicious pastrami sandwich or La Diabla Pozole y Mezcal for an authentic Mexican pozole. After lunch, play some pool at Gerard’s Pool Hall. Then head back to the hotel. Take a nap or get ready before dinner. Your dinner experience will feel like you are in the TV show The Bear with the top-notch and attentive service at Wolf’s Tailor. After dinner, for your night out you have some options – live jazz at Nocturne, go see a Denver Nuggets game at Ball arena, or check out the Museum of Contemporary Art (MCA) Denver for a rooftop dance party. End your night with an amaro digestif or cocktail at Fort Greene.

Day 3:
Start with a NYC style bagel at Rosenberg’s Bagels. Stroll through the Harlem of the West in the historic Five Points Neighborhood. Drive over to the Westwood Neighborhood and stop at Cultura Chocolate. Indulge in some cacao but also try their atoles and check out the community happenings at the Hecho en Westwood Collective which sponsors community events such as mole festival, bailes, and much more! Next check out Federal Street – where you can find some great dim sum, tacos, as well as stores selling goods and products from other countries. My personal favorite dim sum is in Broomfield. I take everyone I know to Hong Guan – their sticky rice dumpling filled with 5 spice pork is delicious. Next start your drive over to Boulder. Maybe check out Acreage by Stem Cidery on the way in Lafayette. Great views. Settle in, check into your hotel or AirBnB. Tonight we will take it easy as in the morning, we are going hiking.

Day 4: Boulder
Pick up a breakfast burrito from Blackbelly. Eat it now or save it for your summit. If you’re looking for a medium-hard hike, try Mt. Sanitas or Royal Arch in Chautauqua. If you’re looking for something laid back and more gentle, Shanahan Ridge is a great option and is also quieter than the crowds at the other two sites. Once you’ve completed your hike, it’s time for lunch. Head to The Flats, it’s a little outside of Boulder, but you’ll be rewarded with great food, warm smiles, and amazing views of the Flatirons. Head back to your hotel for a nap or if you just need to chill and relax, the Dairy Arts Center has a lovely movie theater often playing arthouse or independent cinema. Once you’re rejuvenated, take a stroll around Pearl Street and Walnut Street. Pick up a Colorado souvenir. Make sure to stop into Mabel & Moss. She carries some great pieces of trendy womens clothing that can easily be converted from day-time looks to dressier nighttime looks. Also has petite sizing! Have a casual dinner at either Avanti Food & Beverage or Rosetta Hall. They both have rooftop views of the Flatirons and given all the variety in their food stalls, there’s something for everyone. Finish your night with a nightcap at either The Bitter Bar or if you’re in the mood for tiki drinks, Jungle and go see some live music at the Velvet Elk Lounge.

Day 5: Boulder
Start your day with a delicious pastry from Lucky’s Bakeshop. They legitimately have a cornucopia to choose from behind a glass window. Your mouth will water as you try to decide which delectable treat you will choose. Eat your pastry during a nice stroll around Wonderland Lake or walk alongside the Boulder Creek into the canyon. After you’ve walked off your breakfast, head to a facial at Highline Aesthetic. Get pampered and relax. You will need it because the next couple of days we are going camping! Drive up to the Gold Hill for lunch. Gold Hill is a tiny old mining town that has a lot of heart. You can catch live music either at the Gold Hill Store or the Gold Hill Inn. Check out their schedules which they frequently post online or on Instagram. The ride is a bit bumpy, but so worth it for the views. Have lunch at the Gold Hill General Store. Their pizzas are scrumptious and you must get The Cookie, that’s right, THE Cookie because it is the best damn cookie you have ever had in your life. Activity is the name of the game in Boulder, so once you’re done with lunch maybe go for a short hike at Betasso Preserve or check out the view from the top of the Red Rocks Spur trail. For dinner, head over to nearby Lyons. The drive over especially during sunset is picturesque. Have a charming and delicious dinner at Marigold. You won’t be sorry. And when done, end your night with a wildly funny Comic Sense comedy show at the Hotel Boulderado.

Day 6/7: Rocky Mountain National ParkWe head to Rocky Mountain National Park for epic alpine lakes, shimmering aspen trees, and waterfalls. Explore all the park has to offer from Bear Lake, to moose and elk sightings, to Glacier Gorge, and if you’re brave and in shape, maybe hike up the summit of Long’s Peak. If time allows, go on the ghost tour at the Stanley Hotel, the place that inspired the movie, The Shining.

Last but not least, whenever in the mountain west, do yourself a favor and go support the rodeo! There are multiple rodeo circuits throughout the year and Colorado plays host to many of them.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Shoutout to:
To my husband Scott who has always supported my dreams and helps make them come true;
To Erin Eastwood who believed that I could do this, trusted me with her clients during her maternity leave, and gave me the confidence to pursue my own practice;
To my mentor and guide, Marcus Artis, whose supervision and consultation has been invaluable to my practice and my growth as a therapist and human;
To the master snuggler and regulator of emotions, my sweet, baby-doggy, Willoughby
To all my beautiful clients who put their faith in me and give me the greatest privilege of my life;

Website: https://www.aliciaveleztherapy.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aliciaveleztherapy/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alicia-velez-lcsw12

Other: Zencare Profile: https://zencare.co/provider/therapist/alicia-velez

Image Credits
Kelly Bonnez Photography