Vanessa Garcia

I am Vanessa Garcia,  first generation Latina born and raised in the San Francisco Bay Area and founder of La Mera, LCSW. For more than 10 years, I have worked in various positions where I have supported individuals (children, adolescents, and adults) and families in treatment of mental health services, case management to connect to support services in their communities, and teaching families how to advocate for themselves in critical situations to live their lives in a more happy, healthy, and tranquil way.

My education experiences include:

Bachelor's in Criminal Justice Administration, Master's of Social Work with Child and Family Welfare focus (Title IV-E Recipient), and Licensed Clinical Social Worker in the state of California. I am also certified in holistic practices of yoga and social-emotional learning.

My internship and work experiences include:

Homeless residential transition center in Oakland, Day Treatment School in San Leandro, Level 14 Community Treatment Facility for minors (Previously at San Francisco Mission General Hospital), Crisis Stabilization Unit for minors in San Leandro, Crisis Mobil Response Team support, Juvenile Hall Transition Center in San Leandro, Child and Family Welfare in Santa Clara and Alameda County reunification units, and nationwide case management services to latino families who were separated from their children at the US border detention centers. 

In addition to my education, work and trainings, my greatest teacher has been life and my personal experiences that made me put into practice my own teachings in order to heal myself of  obstacles we all face in life. Situations that include: relationships (personal, family, friends), illnesses, grief/mourning, stress, chronic pain, and how to navigate systems of support. I have also learned and continue to learn the power of ancestral medicine that is a part of my daily life. 

I honor the totality of all my experiences that has made me the worker I am today with with wisdom and integrity to inspire others to heal and live their best life. This is what "La Mera" signifies for me - someone who does their best possible in every situation to increase their wellbeing and the wellbeing of the community.     

It starts with you. We all are "los meros".