Meet Venessa De La Cruz | Trauma Therapist & Consultant

We had the good fortune of connecting with Venessa De La Cruz and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Venessa, what inspires you?
First, I have two amazing daughters that inspire me every day. I get to witness their courage and bravery every single day. They have taught me much more than I have taught them. They inspire me to dream because I want them to continue to dream. I want them to know that they can build their own business or become who they are meant to be. I want them to believe in themselves as much as I believe in them. They are the reason why I continue to build my business. I want them to see that following your passion pays off. I am also so inspired by my clients. They trust me to hear their most painful memories and stories. They bravely learn how to lean into their pain and find a way through it. I have the privilege of witnessing these beautiful transformations that come out of their pain. I may have some new tools, or education and a different perspective, but they do the really hard part. I am the witness. I am the space for them to do the work. And being part of that process, is my honor.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Want to know a secret? Having a private practice was not my initial dream. I always thought that I would be a therapist in someone else’s business/office. I think there was more self-doubt in that thought more than anything else. It wasn’t until my last group practice told us that we had 30 days to find a new job, that I took the leap into private practice. It was an uphill process as I was not sure if I could make a private practice successful on my own. The self-doubt voice was loud during this time, and it didn’t help that other colleagues of mine had similar thoughts. Looking back, I realize that this was the dream I didn’t know I needed. I have learned so much along the way but what I really found out was that I was more than capable of building this business. I was made to do this work. If I could go back and tell myself anything it would be-bet on you! You are so worthy and capable of so much. Believe that you are made for your dreams. Now I own and operate Ignite Hope Counseling in Gilbert, AZ. It is a solo private practice that focuses on helping women heal from complex trauma as they are also navigating many roles in life. The majority of my practice focuses on attachment trauma, religious trauma, grief and reclaiming motherhood. I offer individual therapy and I am now offering intensive which is so exciting. An intensive is just what it sounds like- a more concentrated time where we get to spend a few hours together over multiple days. This allows for a deeper dive into the work which can lead to seeing results a little quicker.
I am also extending the practice to include supervision and consultation. Outside of helping clients, I want to help other clinicians find their voice. I have been so lucky to have so many people in my corner and I want to pay that forward.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
When I read this question, I chuckled because I would consider myself a homebody! After thinking about it I came up with a Venessa version of a local outing so here we go…. First, we are going to grab some coffee and hit up the nail salon for a pedicure. Who doesn’t enjoy a little pampering? Then we may stop by Picazzo’s for some delicious eats. If we are feeling adventurous, we are heading up to the mountains where we get to enjoy cooler weather and more of mother nature. Strawberry is one of my favorite places to spend time. We would rent a cabin in the woods and enjoy the trees and slower pace of life. In Strawberry, the Pie Bar is a family favorite to visit- they have the most delicious empanadas and many flavors to try. There are endless places to take beautiful and scenic hikes or walks and to just breath in fresh mountain air. It is truly one of my happy places and love sharing it with others.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
If there was a book, Dr. Bruce Perry’s book “The Boy Who Was Raised as A Dog”, is the reason I became a trauma therapist. The stories in that book are hard to read but the hope for healing was what made me want to learn more. Ever since then, I have been on a journey to learn the cutting-edge strategies and therapies that will assist a client on their healing journey. There are many others, but this is where it all started for me.

When I think about who has been there for me, I feel so lucky that there have been many people who have been a part of my career journey. It started with my parents who valued education and instilled that value in me. My husband was the first person who told me that it was ok to pursue a career in this field and since, has supported this journey every step of the way. My dearest friends & sister (Mel, Chante, Sharae, & Kassie) have been the greatest supports to me both personally and professionally. They keep me sane and grounded and remind me of who I am and what I have to offer in the moment that I forget. You can not do this work alone, and I am really grateful to them for being there with me on this adventure.

Lastly but certainly not least, a large part of my success is due to my amazingly courageous clients. Without them, there is no Ignite Hope Counseling. I am so honored that they choose me to witness their healing. Thank you for choosing me, it is my honor.

Website: www.ignitehopellc.com

Instagram: Emdrsocialworker

Linkedin: inkedin.com/in/venessa-de-la-cruz-025b67132