APCC 13291

Under the supervision of Mara Sammartino, LCSW

She/Her/Ella

I am a proud Mexican American. My parents are of Mexican descent from Leon, Guanajuato, and Jalisco. As the youngest of six children, my upbringing has shaped my personality. I grew up in Woodland, CA, a small farm town where Latinas/os had limited educational opportunities. Because my parents did not receive formal education and did not speak English, I had no aspirations to apply to college. As a result of my siblings' support, I pursued an education and applied to Sacramento City College for my educational journey. Even though I didn't know what I was planning to do in college, I quickly found a supportive network of mentors, counselors, and friends. Within two years of graduating from community college, I transferred to UC Berkeley. While attending UCB, I became a young mother during my second year. While pursuing my BA, I was overwhelmed and afraid of navigating a new identity as a mother, a first-generation Latina, and a first-generation American. In my undergraduate experience, I experienced therapy for the first time and gained a better understanding of how to balance mental and spiritual health. As a result, I knew I wanted to be a beacon of hope for first-generation students, mothers, Latinas/os, and all students.

After graduating from UC Berkeley with honors, I earned my Masters in Counseling at San Francisco State. As a counselor, I have worked in several college systems, including UC Berkeley, San Mateo Community College District, and now Los Rios Community College District. Direct contact with students has given me the experience of providing first-generation college students with the appropriate tools to support their mental health. It is an honor to have your time, and I look forward to walking along with you on your journey toward therapy

Email: Atovar@first-gentherapy.com