Claudia
Position: Home Is Here Opportunity Program Participant
Claudia (she/her/ella) immigrated from Peru to Northern Virginia at the age of three. She is currently pursuing a dual master’s degree in Forensic and Legal Psychology (FLP) and Clinical Mental Health Counseling (CMHC) at Marymount University, with the goal of becoming a licensed professional counselor (LPC). For years, Claudia struggled with her identity as an immigrant, which impacted her mental health. Yet, her counselors never realized the cause and effects of this identity and the unique challenges presented. This realization inspired Claudia to become a counselor and work with the immigrant community. She hopes to empower immigrants in achieving their goals regardless of their immigration status and destigmatize mental health within the Latine community. Claudia is one of the participants in Immigrant Rising’s first Home is Here Opportunity Program cohort. In her free time, Claudia enjoys spending time with loved ones, going to the gym, watching true-crime documentaries, and doing puzzles.
