At 30 years old, Dalia Ruvalcaba is transitioning into the next phase in her life. She opened her own office for her practice as a therapist. She’s one of only 7.9% of therapists who identify as Latino or Hispanic in the United States. That’s according to 2021 statistics from the Zippia career website. She said there’s a need for therapists of color. She created the Therapists of Color Network in an effort to help people connect with professionals who look like them and help build a community of diverse therapists. TOC is meant to help people find therapists they feel comfortable with.”Just having someone that understands your culture, who understands your values, your language, I think that’s so important,” Ruvalcaba said. She said what pushed her to create the website was wanting a resource that’s accessible to everyone. She said it’s helpful for people who may not know a lot about therapy; it gives them the opportunity to browse different therapist profiles. It also helps educate people on mental health. Something Ruvalcaba is passionate about. “The stigma with mental health in the Latino community is thinking that it’s, of course, ‘cosa de locos,’ you know, you don’t talk about things outside of the family,” she said. Being bilingual allows her to reach a wider audience. “A veces el estrés puede ser algo positivo, porque si sentimos estrés sobre algo, eso nos va a motivar actuar,” ella dijo durante un evento. “Pero cuando no cuidamos el estrés se va aumentando… entonces nos pueden dar síntomas físicos.” She speaks at events and allows people to ask questions. Ruvalcaba wants people to understand mental health is something you need to make time for, even if it’s not sitting on a therapist’s couch. “You can’t just do physical health and call it good,” Ruvalcaba said. “Encouraging people to do self-care too, you know, really take care of their mind, have time for themselves, in whatever way that looks like for them.”Today, she’s starting with an Omaha office but hopes to expand to a rural area like Fremont. She said bilingual therapists there aren’t easy to come by. Ruvalcaba said her motivation is knowing she’s making a difference.”Working with clients and seeing their progress, it’s amazing work, and it’s such an honor because they’re the ones doing the work but being able to walk with them through that path is so rewarding,” she said.Recently recognized as a Latina leader by the Metro Young Latino Professional Association, she said the award is validating, but the credit isn’t all hers. He parents have been her biggest supporters throughout her life.”I really do owe everything that I am to them. You know, they’ve put a lot– Can I start that again? I’m at a loss for words with my parents,” she said.Get the latest headlines from KETV NewsWatch 7