Amanda Herrera, LPC Associate, supervised by Mark Cagle, LPC-S
Online Therapist From Dallas, Texas
Being a woman of color involves distinct joys, successes, and challenges.
I understand that going to therapy is not a one-size-fits-all solution. I take pride in creating a compassionate and culturally aware space where women can explore complex emotions and confidently embrace their identities.
I'd love to share a little about myself!
Hi there! My name is Amanda Herrera (she/her). I am a Licensed Professional Counselor Associate in the State of Texas under the supervision of Mark Cagle, LPC-S.
I am thrilled to have you here!
I’m a Dallas, TX, native and identify as Mexican-American.
I feel honored to be a first-generation college graduate. Although I look back on my college years with fondness, there were many times when I thought that I didn’t truly fit in and felt like an outsider or “othered.” I faced many challenges that involved balancing my cultural values with my professional goals.
I started going to therapy in my last year of graduate school, exploring the different aspects of my cultural identity. Therapy provided me with a space to gain clarity and perspective essential for healing. I also discovered that many of my issues came from not fully understanding my cultural identity. Becoming a therapist has been incredibly rewarding because it allows me to help clients find their own voice and sense of purpose.
When I’m not wearing my therapist hat, I spend my free time watching TV shows, reading, taking part in church activities, or hanging out with family and friends—usually with a cup of coffee in hand!
Here’s why I became a therapist:
My cultural background has shaped who I am today, and I understand the importance of helping my clients better grasp their cultural backgrounds. I became a therapist to help Black and Brown women heal from past hurts, navigate tough life changes, manage anxiety or depression, and boost their self-awareness and self-compassion. Questioning your worthiness for success is only part of the challenge; the real difficulty lies in unlearning the belief that you shouldn’t challenge cultural norms.
I have always appreciated the core values instilled in me by my culture. However, I acknowledge the shortcomings, like immense pressure on women to support families, which often causes them to sacrifice passions, struggle with identities, and suffer in silence. There’s also the internalized belief that going to therapy can make people see you as crazy—or worse, as weak and ungrateful.
I want to give women the chance to break the cycle of anxiety and look inward to find healing. Every woman deserves to feel appreciated and supported, helping to ease their challenges. It all begins with the selfless decision to seek relief and speak with a professional.
Thinking about exploring your cultural identity?
I’d love to offer the support and encouragement you truly deserve on this journey!
“What types of women do you work with, Amanda?”
I am passionate about working with women who struggle with constant self-doubt and perfectionism.
For the woman who strives for excellence in her professional and personal life, I’m here to help ease the overwhelming pressure of having to excel in every area of your life.
I have extensive experience working with individuals from diverse backgrounds and have found that I am most effective in supporting women of color through their unique challenges and struggles.
In my therapy sessions, I prioritize curiosity and empathy, exploring in depth the rich tapestry of diverse cultures and societal influences.
This approach not only enhances my understanding but also allows me to recognize how these factors uniquely shape my clients’ mental health experiences. By fostering an open dialogue, I aim to create a safe space where clients feel comfortable sharing their stories and perspectives, ultimately leading to more meaningful and effective therapeutic outcomes.
I help my clients navigate intersecting (or overlapping) identities by assisting them in exploring their race, ethnicity, gender, and cultural backgrounds.
By gaining a better understanding of our identity, we can all learn how to be more self-accepting, self-empowered, and experience personal growth.
Learn to celebrate your successes and navigate challenges with self-assuredness, cultivating a healthier relationship with yourself!
“Amanda, can you explain your therapeutic approach?”
Glady! I am a multicultural therapist.
Multicultural counseling is a method therapists use to demonstrate respect for different cultures. It’s not just any type of therapy. This approach recognizes that everyone comes from unique backgrounds, beliefs, values, and social identities. Its purpose is to provide holistic validation and support for clients, addressing gaps that traditional counseling methods may have overlooked in previous generations.
As a multicultural counselor, I recognize that our backgrounds and experiences significantly shape our lives and well-being. By fostering a counseling environment that encourages clients to express their authentic selves, we establish a collaborative relationship that effectively addresses their issues in a culturally competent manner.
Understanding, respecting, and valuing clients’ diverse cultural backgrounds is essential.
As a therapist using this approach, I wholeheartedly support my clients’ rights to equality and inclusivity. I genuinely value how cultural backgrounds shape their life experiences. Clients seeking help from a multicultural counselor can significantly benefit from learning to explore their beliefs deeply and meaningfully.
a·me·lio·rate (verb)
to make a bad or unpleasant situation better
Definition from the Cambridge University Press