Celeste Tamayo, AMFT
Post-Master's Resident
Hello! I’m Celeste, I use she/her pronouns and I am a first-generation Chicana (Mexican-American) originally from SoCal who has found herself in a place I now call home. I am a Post-Master’s Resident Counseling Intern here at CAPS. I recently graduated from Cal Poly Humboldt with my master’s degree in Counseling Psychology, and I received my Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from this institution as well, although at the time it was still known as “Humboldt State University”. I guess you can say I know my way around this neck of the woods... Just kidding! I also used to work in health education during undergrad, and have learned a lot from my time as a Peer Health Educator that has helped inform my practice as well as shape me into the person I am today.
As a woman of color, I understand how difficult navigating mental health can be, especially in a Latinx household/community. This was one of the many reasons why I decided to pursue counseling with the goal of becoming a licensed marriage and family therapist. I understand how important representation is, especially as more BIPOC folks continue to seek out services looking for therapists that make them feel comfortable and safe. Growing up in a low-income community, I also understand how impacted one’s mental health is when it comes to lack of basic needs, and how important having a strong support system and community is as a means of coping as well. With all of this in mind, I strongly believe that it’s important to continue to have those difficult conversations around mental health between loved ones, peers, and society.
Working from a multicultural counseling perspective, I understand that one’s experience in society is not the same as their peers based on the fact that intersectionality exists and shapes how we view and perceive the world before us. I’m interested in social justice and equity, bystander intervention, anxiety, depression, advocating for basic needs and rights for marginalized communities, and framing sessions as a collaborative experience between myself and the client, if and when appropriate. As I mentioned before, I used to be a Peer Health Educator and have worked in topics such as AOD, mental health and sexual health. Although I am not an expert in these topics, I always try my best to stay informed and up to date in these areas, especially for our campus community. I also use a person-centered approach in my practice as well as incorporating mindfulness-based therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, and solution focused-therapy.
Personal Interests:
I am a big fan of baking, as it’s something that I like to do that helps me relieve stress and anxiety. I love to share my baked goods with family and friends, as that makes me happy too! I enjoy nature walks, playing video games from time to time (also to destress), getting lost in books, and listening to music.
I am Here Now: A Creative Mindfulness Guide and Journal (a fun and creative way to zone into your thoughts and feelings without feeling pressured to actually journal if that’s not your style)
This is Your Brain on Anxiety: What Happens and What Helps by Dr. Faith G. Harper.
