Karen Caraballo, Psy. D., ABSNP
Dr. Caraballo is one of five site mental health experts for SoLatina.
She is a licensed Clinical Psychologist, a New York Certified Bilingual School Psychologist and holds the Diplomate in School Neuropsychology from the American Board of School Neuropsychology (ABSNP). Her skills are a unique blend between clinical psychology, family and child therapy, and school neuropsychology.
Dr. Caraballo has over 10 years of clinical experience including, but not limited to, community mental health clinics, primary care, schools, and private practice. Her expertise lies in analyzing and evaluating family and interpersonal relationships. She has helped many families improve their communication, find solutions to their problems, and create functional living situations. She has also guided families through transitions such as acculturation, migration, child and adolescent issues, serious physical or mental illness, marriage, remarriage and divorce.
Dr. Caraballo is originally from San Juan, Puerto Rico. She received her Doctoral and Master degrees in Clinical Psychology from Carlos Albizu University in San Juan, PR. She completed her Bachelor degree in Psychology at the University of Puerto Rico. Dr. Caraballo relocated to New York City in 2002 to complete her internship in Clinical Psychology. She is fluent in both English and Spanish.
For more information about Dr. Caraballo, please visit www.drkarencaraballo.com
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Nancy García-Ruffin, Ph.D.
Dr. García-Ruffin is one of five site mental health experts for SoLatina.
She is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist and is also a Certified Sex Therapist by the American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors, and Therapists. Helping women become more empowered and present in relationships is a passion for Dr. García-Ruffin. Her areas of interest include depression, anxiety, infertility/adoption, relationship issues, and issues of sexual health.
Dr. García-Ruffin has been practicing psychotherapy since 1998 and has worked at several outpatient mental health clinics doing both clinical and administrative work. She began her private practice in 2007 and in 2011 decided to leave her clinic work and devote all of her time to her practice. It was during this transition to private practice that her interest in specializing in working with couples grew. She pursued additional training in sex and couples therapy and has devoted more than half of her practice to this work.
Dr. García-Ruffin was born in Puerto Rico and raised in New York City. She received her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Barnard College, Columbia University. Her Master’s and Doctorate degrees in Clinical Psychology were completed at Fordham University in New York. She is fluent in both English and Spanish.
For more information about Dr. García-Ruffin, please visit www.drgarciaruffin.com
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Clara Lora, Psy.D.
Dr. Lora is one of five site mental health experts for SoLatina.
She is a licensed clinical psychologist and health service provider with clinical experience working in hospitals, community mental health centers, student counseling, partial hospitalization programs and private practice. She is a compassionate therapist who believes that anybody can benefit from psychological services that promote positive change, improved communication, higher self-esteem and greater intimacy in daily life.
Dr. Lora’s areas of interest include issues pertaining to infertility, marital discord, couples therapy and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. She’s also attentive to depression, bereavement, chronic pain management, end-of-life issues, situational stressors and other anxiety-related disorders.
She conducts counseling, psychotherapy, and psychoanalysis with adults and adolescents on an individual basis or as part of a comprehensive couples and/or family treatment. Treatment often involves using various therapeutic approaches including psychodynamic, cognitive-behavioral, existential, and family systems.
Dr. Lora was born in Bogota, Colombia. She completed her Bachelor, Master’s and Doctorate degrees in South Florida and moved to Massachusetts in 2003 to complete her internship. She is fluent in both English and Spanish.
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Georgina Ramirez, M.A., M.F.T.
Dr. Ramirez is one of five site mental health experts for SoLatina.
She is a psychotherapist with over 20 years of professional experience in the field. She obtained her license as a Clinical Psychologist in B.CA., Mexico. She provides psychological services in both the U.S. and Mexico. Her clinical knowledge and life experience in both countries gives her a unique and broad understanding of each culture.
Dr. Ramirez has given multiple lectures and workshops on different topics including stress management, depression, and how to identify emotional abuse. She has also hosted Q&A Radio Open Forums on diverse topics including parenting and discipline, anxiety and how to succeed in difficult relationships. She is a former professor at C.E.T.Y.S. University and a member of the California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists.
Dr. Ramirez has a Master’s degree in Counseling Psychology. She is of Mexican descent and is fluent in both English and Spanish.
Projects & Experience:
• Author of the book “The Art of Successful Relationships”, endorsed by Alliant International University. The book is also available in spanish, “El Arte de las Relaciones Exitosas”.
• San Diego Center for Children – Program Director. Implemented and supervised Intensive Outpatient Program for severely mentally disturbed children and adolescents in five school districts throughout the county of San Diego.
• Del Mar Hospital – Clinical Director – Department of Psychology
• SCRIPPS – Day Treatment Program for Severely Emotionally Disturbed/Dual Diagnosis
For more information about Dr. Ramirez, please visit www.GeorginaRamirez.com or www.SuccessAndRelationships.com
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Cynthia Santiago, LCSW-R
Ms. Santiago is one of five site mental health experts for SoLatina.
She is a licensed Clinical Social Worker with a private psychotherapy practice in New York City, where she offers solution-based therapy that incorporates positive psychology methods and practices. She infuses her work with a belief that spirituality and the latest findings of the science of happiness and positive psychology can be used for healing and transforming the mind, body, and spirit.
Ms. Santiago has served as a forensic social work consultant for the Consulting Project, Inc. since 1998, and as a Program Director for a non-profit organization that provides services to New York City’s public school students. While her private practice has specialized in work with children, adolescents, and women, she also has extensive experience providing training for other professionals and organizations.
As the Founder of Latina Wellness Network (LWN), which provides forums and opportunities for Latinas and multi-cultural women to come together to educate, share, and empower each other, Ms. Santiago has been on a mission to help women, especially those of color, to create a better life for themselves and their communities and to find fulfillment and happiness.
Ms. Santiago obtained her Master’s degree in Social Work from Fordham University. She is of Puerto Rican descent and is fluent in both English and Spanish.
For more information about Ms. Santiago, please visit www.latinawellnessnetwork.com
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Destiny Lopez
Ms. Lopez is the sexual health expert for SoLatina.
She is director of Latino engagement for Planned Parenthood Federation of America (PPFA), the nation’s leading sexual and reproductive health care provider and advocate. Ms. Lopez leads the organization’s efforts to engage Latinos in all aspects of PPFA’s mission and work as patients, advocates, and supporters.
Ms. Lopez has more than a decade of experience in strategic communications and policy advocacy, primarily focused on advancing the reproductive health and well-being of Latinas and their families. She is the vice chair of the Board of Directors of the National Latina Institute for Reproductive Health and the treasurer of the Board of Directors at Asian Communities for Reproductive Justice.
Ms. Lopez has been interviewed as a reproductive health and rights expert in diverse media and new media outlets, including CNN, the BBC World News, the Los Angeles Times, KQED, and AOL Salud. Among other honors, Ms. Lopez received the Outstanding Young Professional Award from the American Public Health Association.
Ms. Lopez earned an MPA from New York University and a BS from Georgetown University. She is fluent in both English and Spanish.
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Wanda Lopez-Rodriguez M.D.
Dr. Lopez-Rodriguez is the site pediatric expert for SoLatina.
She is an American Board of Pediatrics certified Doctor. She is licensed by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and is a member of the American Academy of Pediatrics.
Dr. Lopez-Rodriguez is a pediatrician at the Brookside Community Health Center in Boston, MA. Additionally she is a Newborn Hospitalist and attending physician at the Brigham & Women’s Hospital in Boston, MA and an instructor at Harvard Medical School. Previously she was the Chief Resident in Pediatrics at the University Pediatric Hospital in Rio Piedras, Puerto Rico.
Dr. Lopez-Rodriguez received her B.A. from the University of Puerto Rico in 1983 and her M.D. from the University of Puerto Rico’s School of Medicine in 1987. She is fluent in both English and Spanish.
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Eneida Román, Esq.
Ms. Román is one of two site legal experts for SoLatina.
She is a licensed attorney as well as a licensed industrial and organizational psychologist. Her expertise in law is focused primarily in the areas of immigration (green cards, citizenship, visas, deportation proceedings, etc.) and family law (divorce, mediation, family law, parenting coordination, etc.). She is also a certified mediator.
Ms. Román’s experience and background includes extensive organizational behavior research, non-profit public interest work, teaching at the college level and psychological assessments in educational systems. She is a former Psychologist Consultant to the Lawrence, MA Public Schools and to the Jean Mayer USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging at Tufts University. Ms. Román has been an Adjunct Professor of Psychology, Negotiation and Organizational Theories & Behavior at Cambridge College since 2005.
She is a member of the American Bar Association, Massachusetts Bar Association, Hispanic National Bar Association, Massachusetts Association of Hispanic Attorneys and American Immigration Lawyers Association.
Ms. Román is originally from San Juan, Puerto Rico. She received both her undergraduate and graduate degrees from the University of Puerto Rico. She graduated from the New England School of Law in 2003. Ms. Román is fluent in both English and Spanish.
For more information about Attorney Román, please visit www.eromanlaw.com
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Erika Castillo, Esq.
Ms. Castillo is one of two site legal experts for SoLatina.
She is a licensed attorney as well as a licensed real-estate broker. She has extensive experience in family law including divorce, child support, and custody cases. Ms. Castillo has a vast knowledge of real estate law which includes short sales, loan modifications, buyer and seller representation, and closings. Her practice also includes criminal and personal injury law.
Ms. Castillo worked as a Victim Witness Advocate for the Essex County District Attorney’s Office for over five years before becoming an attorney. She is a board member of the Haverhill, MA Boys and Girls Club and a board member of Delamano, a non-profit organization that assists victims of domestic violence. She was also enrolled in the Army National Guard for six years working as a Military Police.
Ms. Castillo received her B.A. in psychology from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst in 1998, and her J.D. from the Massachusetts School of Law in 2005. She is of Dominican descent and is fluent in both English and Spanish.
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Yvette Camilo
Ms. Camilo is the site cosmetologist and beauty expert for SoLatina.
She is licensed by the Massachusetts State Board of Cosmetology and received her certificate in Cosmetology and Beauty Design from the Blaine Beauty Career School in 2004.
Ms. Camilo was a top contributor for Yahoo’s Answers’ Cosmetology Forum for two years. There she provided answers, instructions and advice to users who had questions about their hair, skin and nails. Additionally, she worked at the Dellaria Salon in Boston, MA as a cosmetologist.
Ms. Camilo also published both video and written blog tutorials showing viewers how to create various make-up looks and hair styles. She also provided them with product reviews and personal care tips.
She finds extreme satisfaction in helping to raise a woman’s self-esteem by making them look and feel beautiful. Ms. Camilo is fluent in both English and Spanish.
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Amanda Genao
Ms. Genao is the site fitness expert for SoLatina.
She has been competing in fitness and bodybuilding competitions since 2003. Ms. Genao devotes much of her time and energy to developing contest preparation programs for competitors as well as individuals who want to change their lifestyle. In addition, she designs and facilitates workshops geared towards empowering women by addressing issues of self-esteem, lifestyle changes and diet.
Ms. Genao has been featured in National Physique Committee (NPC) News Magazine and on the Bodybuilder.com website. She has competed in numerous bodybuilding and fitness competitions including the Kim Klein Empire States Competition, the Steve Stone Metropolitan State Fitness, Figure and Bodybuilding Championship, the Atlantic States Fitness, Figure and Bodybuilding Championship and the NPC New England Figure, Fitness and Bodybuilding Championship, where she won 1st place in the “Figure 5’1” and under” division.
Ms. Genao received Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from the University Of Massachusetts in Amherst. While in college she was the Assistant to the Associate Dean for Multicultural Education at Hampshire College and a counselor at Tapestry Health.
Ms. Genao is originally from the Dominican Republic and now holds residences in both New York and Massachusetts. She is the mother of two wonderful children. Ms. Genao is of Dominican and Haitian descent and is fluent in both English and Spanish.
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