Get to Know Your Therapist: Yesenia Velazquez, Intern

Where are you from and where did you go to school?

I was born and raised in the northwest

suburbs of Chicago. I earned a Bachelor of

Science in Psychology from the University

of Illinois at Chicago. Currently, I’m in my

final year of the Clinical Mental Health

Counseling master’s program at DePaul

University.

How long have you been working in the mental health field?

I began working in the mental health field in 2022 as a behavior therapist, providing ABA therapy to children with Autism Spectrum Disorder. This role affirmed my passion for working with children and their families. Watching my clients achieve their goals and make meaningful progress has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life.

What’s your favorite part about being an

intern therapist?

My favorite part of being an intern

therapist is having the opportunity to be

part of my clients' support system. I chose

this profession because I wanted to create a

safe, supportive space where individuals can

grow and work toward their goals. Being a

therapist is deeply fulfilling—I get to

connect with people in such meaningful

ways and be part of their journeys.

Were you involved in extracurricular

activities in high school or college?

I was on the cross country and track teams

in high school. While I didn’t continue

competing in college, running remains a

big part of my life and is a key piece of my

self-care routine.

What do you do for fun?

I love exploring new food and coffee spots, shopping around Chicago, watching movies,

and going to live music events. Most of all, I enjoy doing these activities with friends and

family—it’s my favorite way to spend quality time with the people I care about.

How do you practice self-care?

Self-care can be challenging at times, but

over the years I’ve developed a routine

that works well for me. Running is my goto—

it helps me de-stress after a long day

and keeps me feeling healthy. I also make

time for long walks at the end of the

week, often catching up with a friend or

family member to reflect on the highs and

lows of the week.