By: Bianca Marinescu, MA, LMFT, Clinical supervisor WHY THIS CONVERSATION MATTERS Every day, people experience anxiety, depression, grief, trauma, burnout, and other mental health challenges while trying to appear fine on the outside. Many stay silent not because they do not want help, but because they fear judgment, misunderstanding, or shame. That is the power […]

By: Dr. Tiffany M. Ortiz, Licensed Clinical Psychologist Many parents are noticing that children today seem more worried, fearful, or emotionally overwhelmed and dysregulated. Through social media, news, and conversations online, children are being exposed to frightening images and stories about violence, immigration fears, discrimination, and domestic and global unrest, often without the emotional tools […]

At just nine years old, “David”, a Latino boy from our community, came to El Centro de Amistad (ECDA) struggling with severe anxiety. His school referred him to treatment after noticing ongoing symptoms that made it difficult for him to thrive.His mother shared that David had always been anxious—often worrying excessively, avoiding new situations, and […]

El Centro de Amistad (ECDA) created its Doctoral Psychology Training Program to help train future psychologists while giving the community access to quality, culturally sensitive mental health care. The program blends learning, compassion, and cultural understanding—values that have always guided ECDA’s work. Since becoming a training site in 2023, ECDA has welcomed students from universities […]

Our community has faced a series of devastating crises—from the wildfires in January to the ongoing ICE raids across Los Angeles County. These events have raised deep concerns and anxiety for many of us. Children, too, are exposed to these stressful and often frightening experiences, which can profoundly affect their sense of safety and emotional […]