Today we’d like to introduce you to Kelsey Barillas.
Kelsey Barillas is a Mexican-American San Gabriel Valley native, who has recently relocated to the San Diego county. Kelsey is a first-generation college graduate who received her Master’s Degree in Clinical Psychology, with an emphasis in Marriage and Family Therapy with the Latinx community from the Aliento Program at Pepperdine University. Kelsey is a Registered Associate Marriage and Family Therapist, who works at Achieve Medical Center Inc. in Eastlake, Chula Vista, CA. Kelsey Barillas is also the founder of Acá entre nos – A Spanglish Podcast, she transitions her passion for mental health through this virtual realm to communicate with the Latinx community and Psychoeducate with hope to be apart of the movement that diminishes the stigma behind mental health in Latinx communities and our society. Kelsey is a writer, advocate, public speaker, coach, and workshop facilitator, she has facilitated psychoeducational workshops and presentations for many organizations and schools in the San Gabriel Valley, Orange County, and the Los Angeles County. Kelsey is very passionate about what she does and puts her heart in all of the projects, collaborations, volunteer work, and roles she holds with pride.
You can find Kelsey on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter on her writer’s page at @Kbeautifulmind_, and her podcast page @acaentrenos__.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Kelsey has not had a smooth road, at age 23, she lost her single mother to a battle of cancer and due to the circumstances, she had to take on the role of head of household and raise two teenage boys who at that time where only 10 years old and 15 years old. Kelsey had to work full-time, take care of her siblings, and still made an effort to attend school to pursue her career and life goals. Kelsey and her siblings saw poverty for what they somewhat have always lived in and on top of financially struggling the entire household was grieving the loss of their mother and the trouble they were facing adjusting to a life without her.
Because everyone grieves differently, Kelsey had a very rough time raising her teenage brothers however, she did the best she could and never gave up. Today, Kelsey and her siblings are in a better place, the oldest boy is living on his own and adjusting to life of adulthood, the youngest lives with their other sister and her family as he wanted to stay close to school to finish his last year in high school, and Kelsey now lives in San Diego, CA where she is continuing to pursue her goals and dreams in her career with a new job and life not too far from Los Angeles where she always goes back to visit her family.
Please tell us about Acá entre nos – A Spanglish Podcast – what should we know?
Acá entre nos – A Spanglish podcast is a very special project for Kelsey. Acá entre nos is passion-driven, and every episode comes with the purpose of education, meaning, and connection. Kelsey hopes that all of those who listen to the show can take a little piece of each episode that is relatable or can be applied to help themselves or others in their lives and communities. Kelsey specializes in mental health as a specialist and advocate, she is bilingual so each episode is special for its multi-language message and meaning that she hopes rightfully represents her Latinx Community.
Kelsey is most proud of Acá entre nos because it was a vision of a project she always had since very young and she is glad to see it unravel now as she is at the beginning of her career plans and goals.
Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
As we all know, it takes a village. As much as Kelsey puts her all in helping and representing others, Kelsey has had a lot of help and support along the way. She wouldn’t be where she is at without her mentors from her early education at Monrovia High School, her mentors at Pepperdine University as well as some specific mentors and professors from the Aliento Program at Pepperdine University, she is also extremely grateful for all the wonderful friends that are more like family and of course her family who she continues to fight for and think of as inspiration to better herself and the future. Lastly, Kelsey wouldn’t be the woman she is today if it wasn’t for the wonderful wonder woman that raised her, and who she hopes is watching from the heavens with pride.
Contact Info:
- Email: acaentrenosfam@gmail.com
- Instagram: Acaentrenos__
- Facebook: Aca entre nos – A Spanglish Podcast
- Twitter: Acaentrenos__
Suggest a story: SDVoyager is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
