Lorena Medel
Inclusion & Change Group, Scholar
"I am not defined by my immigration status. I am a human being with dreams and goals."
Wellness Support Groups
Immigrants Rising’s Wellness Support Groups help undocumented people stay grounded and connected to the community.
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These 6-week Wellness Support Groups led by trained mental health providers or registered clinicians, are designed to help undocumented people feel less alone and more understood. The weekly virtual sessions are closed; meaning that advance registration is required, with the goal of creating a confidential space where 10-12 participants can feel grounded, find community, and share their unique experiences, challenges, and successes with one another. Note: though participation can be therapeutic, the groups are not a form of therapy. Registration opens early December.
New Groups Starting in January
Black & Undocumented Support Group
The focus of this group will be to help participants identify mindfulness practices to incorporate into their lifestyles. Together we will explore how mindfulness can improve emotional well-being; discuss how people experience stress; learn to identify dysregulation; understand the impact of connecting mind, body, and soul; and explore different types of mindfulness practices.
About the Facilitator
Akiah Robinson Selwa, LMFT, (she/her) is a licensed Marriage Family Therapist, and founder/president of Sunrise Therapy Center (SCT), Marriage, Family, and Child Counseling, Inc. Akiah has over 21 years of work experience as a domestic violence prevention advocate, psychotherapist, clinical supervisor, anti-trafficking abolitionist, and clinical program manager in the public health and private practice sectors. Akiah is very skilled in working with families, individuals, children, the BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, Persons of Color) population, domestic violence/trafficked survivors, and members of the adoption/foster care constellations. Akiah approaches treatment with cultural humility that promotes acceptance, empowerment, and creativity. Akiah has developed specializations in biblical counseling, trauma-informed therapy, Somatic-Experiencing treatment, family therapy, and play therapy.
Schedule & Info
Dates: 6 consecutive Wednesdays beginning on January 3, 2024
Time: 5 p.m. PT / 8 p.m. ET
UndocuLatine Grupo de Apoyo (Español)
Vivir con estatus indocumentado signifíca enfrentar la incertidumbre a diario y darnos cuenta de cómo afecta muchos aspectos de nuestras vidas. En este grupo, discutiremos colectivamente las diferentes formas en que la incertidumbre afecta la vida, las relaciones y el bienestar de cada participante. Como grupo, también tendremos la oportunidad de reflexionar sobre las experiencias en las que lidiamos con la incertidumbre en el pasado y cómo informan nuestras experiencias en el presente. Haremos espacio para conectarnos, apoyarnos y aprender unos de otros a lo largo del proceso grupal. La facilitadora presentará y guiará a los participantes a través de estrategias de afrontamiento y técnicas de relajación que se pueden utilizar en cualquier momento.
Sobre el Facilitador
Mayra Jiménez, LMFT, es una terapeuta matrimonial y familiar, anteriormente indocumentada, viviendo en el sur de California. Ha trabajado en el sector de la salud mental sin fines de lucro durante más de 10 años en una variedad de funciones desde la coordinación administrativa hasta el trabajo clínico y la supervisión. Ella utiliza sus experiencias vividas para guiar la manera en la que involucra a sus clientes en la terapia. Sus puntos fuertes están en el uso de un enfoque directo pero suave para ayudar a los clientes a través de sus luchas. Mayra disfruta el desafío de poder brindar servicios de salud mental a comunidades que normalmente no tienen acceso o no siempre han estado abiertas al tratamiento de salud mental.
Horario e Información
Fechas: 6 viernes consecutivos a partir del 5 de enero de 2024
Hora: 9 a.m. PT / 12 p.m. ET
UndocuLatinx Support Group
Life with an undocumented status means facing uncertainty on a daily basis and noticing how it impacts many aspects of life. In this group, we will collectively discuss the different ways that uncertainty affects life, relationships, and wellbeing for each participant. As a group, we will also have an opportunity to reflect on experiences confronting uncertainty in the past and present. We will make space to connect, support, and learn from one another throughout the group process. The facilitator will introduce and guide participants through coping strategies and relaxation techniques that can be utilized at any point.
About the Facilitator
Muriel Casamayor, LMFT, (she/her) is a Latina therapist in California. She specializes in serving BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color) living with depression, anxiety and trauma. Muriel understands the journey of immigrating to another country and rewriting your own narrative. Her practice is located in Riverside and Tustin, but she provides telehealth services throughout California.
Schedule & Info
Dates: 6 consecutive Mondays beginning on January 8, 2024
Time: 10 a.m. PT / 1 p.m. ET
UndocuLove Support Group
If it feels like navigating romantic relationships while undocumented adds another layer of complexity to your life, you are not alone. This group is open to any person navigating mixed status relationships and/or dating while undocumented including folks of all sexualities and gender identities. Over the course of six weeks, we will share stories about dating and partnerships, mirror and validate one another’s experiences, and build community in a safe and nonjudgmental environment. The themes discussed throughout the six weeks will be determined by the participants, because you know best what support you need.
About the Facilitator
Huyen “Kiki” Vo, LCSW, (she/her) is a DACAmented Vietnamese immigrant, a licensed psychotherapist, and a mental health clinician at Stanford Medicine, Children’s Health. She has the privilege of providing services to children, adolescents, individuals, and families from diverse backgrounds (e.g. low-income, AAPI, mixed status, undocumented, BIPOC, LGBTQ, etc.) throughout the San Francisco Bay Area. She values a holistic and collaborative approach to care, utilizing a trauma-informed cultural humility and strength-based lens to promote clients’ self-determination, potential, and resilience. She honors each client’s unique history, cultural background, personality, and lived experience, and meets them where they are in their respective self-discovery/healing journey.
Schedule & Info
Dates: 6 consecutive Tuesdays beginning on January 5, 2024
Time: 6:30 p.m. PT / 9:30 p.m. ET
Coping With Uncertainty Support Group
Navigating life as an undocumented person means facing uncertainty on a daily basis. There are so many forces outside of our control that shape our lives and impact our ability to plan for the future. In this group, we will discuss the different ways that uncertainty impacts how we show up in our relationships, the personal and professional choices we make, and our overall mental and emotional well-being. We will make space to connect, support, and learn from one another throughout the group process and the facilitator will introduce and guide participants through various coping strategies and relaxation techniques.
About the Facilitator
Jose Perez, LMFT, (he/him) is a DACAmented licensed marriage and family therapist based in the San Francisco Bay Area. Jose has the privilege of running the mental health department at Samaritan House San Mateo where he helps increase access to mental health for uninsured immigrants. Additionally, Jose has a private practice specializing in immigrant mental health and treating trauma, depression, anxiety, and acculturation difficulties. Jose aims at providing a collaborative approach to care utilizing strength-based approaches to help clients reach their self-actualization, resilience, and healing. In his spare time, Jose is finishing his PsyD in clinical psychology and enjoys hiking and trying new foods and eateries.
Schedule & Info
Dates: 6 consecutive Wednesdays beginning on January 3, 2024
Time: 5:30 p.m. PT / 8:30 p.m. ET
Interested in facilitating a support group?
Please contact our Mental Health Team at mentalhealth@immigrantsrising.org for more information.