In our highly anticipated Year-End "Ask Paula Anything - Vol.3" Episode, Paula dives into an array of questions submitted by our vibrant and supportive community of listeners. She shares her unique perspectives and offers a wealth of personalized feedback covering a variety of topics that resonate with many. Paula provides insightful suggestions and diverse strategies, serving as a catalyst for achieving even greater success as we eagerly anticipate 2025!

Social Work Professional Development - 10 CEUs
Retreat, Remix, Revive - Mar 21, 2025 - Mar 23, 2025
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Cristino, a first-generation Salvadorian social worker, discusses his diverse roles, including forensic social worker and PhD student among others he currently holds. He emphasizes the evolving use of social media as a tool for connection and information dissemination. In addition, he critiques the social work licensing exams, arguing they perpetuate inequality and hinder entry into the profession as well as highlights the need for systemic change and the importance of social workers in leadership roles. Cristino shares a call to action, emphasizing the ongoing revolution in social work and the need for continuous transformation.

Guest Bio:
Cristino N. Chavez Jr. (he/him/his) is a Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW) and Certified Trauma Professional (CTP) and currently holds several roles including forensic social worker, adjunct professor at NYU Silver School of Social Work, board member, and an immigration court mental health consultant. Cristino received his BA in Psychology at SUNY Old Westbury and MSW at Adelphi University. Cristino is currently a doctoral student at Yeshiva University Wurzweiler School of Social Work, on his journey toward earning his Ph.D. in Social Welfare. His research, teaching, and practice focuses on criminal & juvenile justice, immigration, and social policy.

Contact/Socials:
Email: cncsw.consulting@gmail.com
Instagram: @cnc_lmsw
LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/cnc_lmsw

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Erica discusses the importance of mentorship in her career and the upcoming third volume of "Latinx in Social Work," which focuses on mentorship. She highlights her journey, including support from mentors referred to as Madrinas and the challenges she faced, including toxic work environments and betrayal. Erica emphasizes the role of community and collective action in overcoming these challenges. She also shares her transformation through holistic practices and the launch of Siembra Today, a nonprofit providing accessible mental health and wellness tools for BIPOC communities.

Guest Bio:
Erica Priscilla Sandoval is an award-winning mental health practitioner, speaker, executive coach, entrepreneur, podcaster, philanthropist, and author.

Erica is most recently the Executive Director of Siembra Today, a women-run, BIPOC-led nonprofit devoted to providing accessible mental health and wellness support through narrative storytelling, books, workshops, healing circles, conferences, and social media campaigns. Siembra Today’s goal is to destigmatize and promote mental health and wellness for the Latino/a/x/e and BIPOC community, so that they can plant seeds of hope for themselves and future generations.

Erica is also the founder and CEO of Sandoval Psychotherapy Consultation—known as Sandoval CoLab—which provides talk therapy, ketamine-assisted psychotherapy (KAP), and holistic offerings. She is the creator of the book series Latinx/e in Social Work, personal narratives available in both English and Spanish that amplify the voices of Latinx/e social workers.

Erica holds a Post Master’s in Clinical Adolescent Psychology and a Master’s in Social Work from New York University, Silver School of Social Work. As a proud immigrant from Ecuador, her passion is fueled by supporting her community.

Contact/Socials
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ericapsandoval/
Instagram: latinxinsocialwork, sandovalcolab, siembratoday
Websites: https://www.latinxinsocialwork.com/, https://www.sandovalcolab.com/, https://www.siembratoday.org/

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