The Multicultural Owl LLC

Who Do I Serve? People engage in therapy with me because they know it is time to try something different that will help them have a more sustainable, balanced, and authentic life. My clients are often talented, smart, funny, creative, and caring people but may not describe themselves with these words, since they tend to be too critical of themselves. They struggle with feeling good enough, even though they may have a track record of overachieving throughout their lives. They may feel very confident in one area of their lives but unskilled in others. People I work with may have learned to be hard on themselves as a way to survive, but could benefit from kinder ways to motivate themselves. They are used to living up to the unrealistic expectations of others to avoid feeling like a disappointment. As a result, they may feel stressed, exhausted, and overwhelmed. The people I serve often face competing demands to fit into mainstream American society and into their respective cultural groups. This may lead to having double or triple the expectations from others, as they are having to please various audiences. They may feel like they don’t quite belong anywhere, but are well versed in wearing different masks to fit into many spaces. Over time, they feel drained from trying to be all things to everyone and often neglecting their needs. My clients no longer want to conform to others’ expectations or to bully themselves into achieving success and happiness. If you identify with one or more of these concerns, contact me to schedule a free 15-minute consultation to see if my services are right for your needs. How Do I Serve? In the therapy process, I use active listening, a supportive yet stimulating stance, humor, and kind frankness. I am the type of therapist who will tell you what I think, but will also help you come in contact with your own voice and support you to make choices that are right for you. I accompany my clients in their journey of navigating the complexities of being their true selves in a society that often does not value their unique strengths and points of view. My goal is that they learn to trust that they have always been good enough and to embrace their whole awesome and imperfect selves. I create a culturally affirming environment where my clients can explore the different parts of themselves and better understand how their environments have nurtured or suppressed their various identities. I assist folks in making sense of the different contexts they have existed in and how these contexts have influenced their self-perception, relationships, habits, and performance. I support them in their efforts to quiet down that relentless inner critic while also cultivating a kinder inner voice to support their growth. We work together to abandon narratives that are not true or no longer helpful to their essence. We collaborate in rewriting their stories and find ways to incorporate their talents and skills into their lives. I encourage my clients to step away from living in the past or in the imagined future, so they can better enjoy the present before moving onto the next thing. Together, we explore their relationship with themselves and with others to identify patterns that do not serve them well. We search for ways to compassionately reestablish healthier boundaries, so they can be more genuine, connected, and engaged in their relationships. Overall, my clients end up leaving therapy feeling more confident in their ability to be true to themselves and with others, while also more effectively meeting the responsibilities of the various roles they choose to keep within their lives. They grant themselves the opportunity to experience joy and rest as part of their routine. They feel empowered and energized to take on future challenges. My Cultural Identities I am a proud Latina and a Native Spanish speaker. My pronouns are she/her/ella. I was born to Cuban exiles who immigrated to Puerto Rico, where I was born and raised in a middle-class household. I grew up with my parents, older siblings, and maternal grandparents. I moved to the US mainland when I was 19. I have lived in Florida, Wisconsin, and Minnesota. I am a cisgender, straight female who, from a young age, has not conformed to culturally expected gender norms. My abuela tried very hard to turn me into a nice young lady, but I regularly use swear words in conversation. I grew up Catholic and identify as such culturally, but not religiously. I am someone living with chronic invisible illnesses. I am in a body that has greatly fluctuated in size throughout my life. I am a first-generation college graduate and the first in my family to obtain a doctoral degree. While in my normal life I go by my first name, Alina, in my professional role as a psychologist, I go by my title and last name- Dr. Aloma. This is my way to honor the many sacrifices my deceased father made to support my education, to acknowledge the power my educational expertise affords me, and to highlight how seriously I take my clinical responsibility in my role as a psychologist. Me as a Person I am a recovering perfectionist (one day at a time), who is taking a break from overachieving to live and enjoy life. I am working on integrating mindful practices and self-compassion into my daily life. One of my biggest sources of joy is my sweet Basset Hound, Max. He may not be my son, but I am his mother. He is the goodest boy. I am a ghost story lover, horror movie buff, and rock music fan. I have been a nerd all my life belonging to various honor societies since middle school. I collect owls. I enjoy traveling both locally and internationally to visit historic sites and learn about other cultures. I am the type of tourist who is right next to the tour guide to make sure I don’t miss any important information. Places I want to visit next include Spain and Mexico. My Professional Background • PhD in Counseling Psychology (2016) from an American Psychological Association (APA) accredited program at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee • Licensed as a Psychologist (LP 6184) in the state of Minnesota under the Minnesota Board of Psychology since 2017 • Authorized to practice Interjurisdictional Telepsychology (APIT 15862) under the authority of PSYPACT in 42 participating states since 2023 • Health Service Psychologist (HSP 55816) under the National Register of Health Service Psychologists since 2017 • Adjunct Professor at a local university where I train the next generation of therapists during their practicum field experience, the last step in the completion of their Master’s in Counseling • Primary Care Psychologist at a local health care system where I work closely with medical providers as part of a multidisciplinary team • Master’s Degree in Counseling (2006) from a Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) accredited program at Rollins College in the state of Florida • I was a licensed mental health counselor in the state of Florida and a licensed professional counselor in the state of Wisconsin, providing psychotherapy services as a mental health counselor 10 years prior to becoming a psychologist My private practice is self-pay. I accept credit, debit, FSA, and HSA cards. I am not in network with any insurance panels. If your insurance provides out-of-network benefits, you may qualify for insurance reimbursement. Please contact your insurance for more information on out-of-network coverage. Now that you know about me, it's time I know more about you. Let’s figure out if I am the right therapist for you. Call or message me for a free 15-min consult to see if we are a good therapeutic match.