Can going back to school in your 30s or 40s actually make you a better clinician than starting straight out of college?

Dr. Anna Chacon sits down with Christina Algeciras, LMHC, a psychotherapist who transformed her career from international logistics to holistic mental health care. Christina shares her journey through corporate burnout, yoga instruction, and ultimately establishing a thriving private practice in South Florida. With a master's degree in psychotherapy completed in 2019, she brings unique insight into career reinvention, having navigated the challenges of returning to school as a non-traditional student. Her approach centers on helping clients understand the root causes of their struggles rather than surface-level symptom management.

The conversation explores the realities of mid-life career transitions, the importance of support systems during professional reinvention, and the courage required to step outside comfort zones. Christina discusses her decision to build a bespoke therapy practice that doesn't accept insurance, allowing her to focus on depth-oriented work with clients facing anxiety, depression, chronic health issues, and intergenerational trauma. How does one overcome the fear of starting over? What role does emotional intelligence play in patient care? The discussion offers valuable perspective for healthcare professionals considering alternative practice models and anyone navigating significant life transitions.

Christina Algeciras, LMHC is a psychotherapist in private practice based in South Florida who specializes in holistic, relationship-focused care. After experiencing burnout in her corporate career in international logistics, she transitioned through yoga instruction before earning her master's degree in psychotherapy, which she completed in December 2019. Christina works with diverse populations addressing anxiety, depression, trauma, chronic health conditions, and intergenerational challenges, particularly within immigrant families. Her practice philosophy emphasizes getting to the root of issues through depth-oriented work rather than insurance-dictated protocols. She is known for her commitment to individualized care and her integration of somatic practices with traditional psychotherapy.

In This Episode:

• (00:00) From corporate burnout to discovering a calling in mental health
• (05:49) Teaching yoga as a bridge between physical wellness and emotional intelligence
• (10:19) The advantages of becoming a therapist later in life and staying focused on your goal
• (15:37) The transformative power of therapy and the courage to pursue personal growth
• (20:21) Building a practice that prioritizes depth over insurance company protocols
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About the show: Welcome to Skin Deep, a podcast designed for dermatology professionals. Host Dr. Anna Chacon, a distinguished dermatologist and author, shares her unique experiences and offers valuable insights on the future of dermatology, including telemedicine and teledermatology in reaching underserved communities. Dr. Chacon provides actionable recommendations for dermatology practices, emphasizing compassion, patient education, and staying current with advancements in the field.

About the host: Dr. Anna Chacon, board-certified dermatologist and founder of Indigenous Dermatology, specializes in treating patients in remote and rural communities. As the first dermatologist serving Alaska's Bush region, she travels by bush plane to reach isolated communities. Dr. Chacon holds medical licenses in all 50 states, DC, Guam, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, providing both in-pe...

• (00:00:00) - Skin Deep Therapy
• (00:08:37) - Coming to work at 60
• (00:12:25) - How to Get Out Of Your Career Trap
• (00:17:32) - How to start a business in the psychotherapy field
• (00:21:26) - The Immigrant Story