Vanessa Tercero (She/her/ella)

With almost 5 years of experience in the field of mental health—first in behavioral health and now in the field of marriage and family therapy— I’ve learned that all clients have the innate skills to create the lives and relationships they desire. I’ve been honored to collaborate with clients in their journey of uncovering these strengths in order to achieve their goals. I work with individuals, couples, and families across the lifespan and within a variety of cultural contexts. Although as an Afro-Latina and child of Central American immigrants, I have a special affinity to racial and ethnic minorities. I recognize the health field has been historically harmful to these groups, as well as sexual/gender minorities, and I strive to provide a corrective experience for those of us who exist on the margins of society. 

I received my Master of Science degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from Northwestern University. I am trained in Integrative Systemic Therapy, which encourages a holistic, trauma-informed perspective of client and therapeutic relationships. I am educated on most evidence-based models of therapy and trained to utilize a collaborative approach in assessing which model would be the best fit for each client system. Although my degree is in Marriage and Family Therapy, I much prefer the term Relational Therapy as it is more inclusive of the diverse relational structures and clients with which I have the privilege to work. My goal is to provide all clients a space where they can experience non-judgmental, compassionate, care!

Questions? vanessa@forrealtherapy.com

INTERVIEW BIO WITH Vanessa Tercero

If I’ve never been in therapy before - What can I expect or observe in our therapy work together?

A lot of folks think that therapists are there to give you the answers or advice, and while perhaps there are clinicians who operate that way, I don’t believe anyone can be more of an expert in my clients’ lives than themselves. What I will do is attempt to meet your own expertise with culturally appropriate, evidence-based strategies and together we’ll collaborate to assess your needs and integrate those practices. Sometimes this means we fail upwards together. We try things out, see how they fit, and explore constraints, all the while getting closer to your own unique definition of “healthy”. I deeply believe in the healing power of having a secure therapeutic relationship.You can expect a connection that feels compassionate and patient. Of course, there will be moments of challenge and directness when it feels appropriate, however I only like to challenge my clients as much as I can empathize with them.

There are way too many acronyms in this field! Can you explain what an MFT is? How is that different from other therapists?

I believe the main difference is that I was trained to think systemically. Even when I assess individuals, I am constantly thinking about the systems in which they exist and the relationships around them. I try to keep this context in mind at all times: how you influence the systems around you and how those systems influence you. I might spend more time than other types of clinicians exploring your family of origin, the roles you may have played throughout your upbringing, and the identities you hold.

In what ways does your cultural background influence behavior, values, and attitudes? Especially in therapy?

I was born in Honduras, but moved to the United States, specifically the Philly area, around the age of 2. The part of my identity that I hold the greatest affinity to is being a black woman. I feel it is most influential in informing my worldview and relational experiences. I grew up as an eldest daughter in a household of 6. A family that is best described as pure love not always expressed in the most effective or functional ways. I learned to be a confidant amidst the chaos which I’m certain has everything to do with my interest in being a relational therapist. I believe there is something really powerful about holding a hyphenated cultural identity. As someone who primarily identifies as Afro-Latina and grew up in a multiracial, multiethnic, interfaith, immigrant household, I’m so accustomed to holding many–sometimes seemingly opposing–truths at once.

 My approach to therapy is to try to take on the worldview of my clients as much as possible while also being a container where different perspectives and realities can exist simultaneously without judgment. I have a strong commitment to providing therapy that feels inclusive and continuously evaluates ways in which oppressive systems surrounding us may be undermining that goal.

Do you work with individuals or couples only? How can I know if individual, couples or family therapy is right for me?

I work with everyone: individuals, dyads, and families. I don't like the term couples because I am trying to move away from a mononormative view of romantic partnership. Thus, I’d be happy to work with polycules as well. I would also love to work with friends, business partners - just people in general. People don’t often consider those relationships when thinking about therapy, but those relationships are extremely important in our lives and go through lots of the same challenges. My personal preference is to get as many people in the room as makes sense to foster effective, direct communication. If someone is coming in and talking about their partner every session, I might offer to bring in their partner for a session or two or recommend relational therapy. Similarly, if I’m working with a couple and I feel constrained because of individual challenges, I may recommend individual therapy in conjunction with the couple's work. It’s hard to say this is the right modality for this or that person as I typically assess on a case by case basis. The only scenario where I might discourage couples therapy is if there is severe intimate partner violence. You can always consult with a clinician to talk through what makes sense for your situation.

What is your universal piece of advice?

Trust that everyone is trying their best, including yourself. Extending grace for the ways in which you and others are trying to survive or had to survive at that point in one’s life is okay, even while in the process of learning new survival strategies. Having compassion for yourself and others will only aid in the healing journey.