Dr. Ana Nogales
Founder of Nogales Psychological Counseling, Inc.
She immigrated to the United States in 1979 and completed her doctorate degree in psychology at the United States International University, San Diego.
She opened her private practice in Los Angeles and Orange Counties, and has been supervising a clinical program for fifteen professionals in mental health since 1982.
Join me as I discuss with Ana how she decided to focus her career on clinical psychology, and why she chose her specialty areas.
She is a clinical psychologist and founder of Nogales Psychological Counseling, Inc., and Clinical Director of the nonprofit organization, Casa de la Familia, established for victims of crime, such as rape, sexual assault, child sexual and physical abuse, domestic violence, and human trafficking. She is also the President of ALMA, Association for Latino Mental Health Awareness in Orange County, dedicated to eradicate mental illness stigma.
What has Ana learned during her years of practice in these different areas, and how do we address the stigma of mental health?
Currently, Dr. Nogales sits on the board of the California Women’s Commission on Addictions as the President, and is an active board member of Las Comadres para las Americas and Women’s Transitional Living Center.
Dr. Nogales began her career in media in 1980, at Univision, Channel 34, with a regular weekly segment entitled “Ella y Él” at Mundo Latino. Her own radio (8:30 am, La Voz), and television (Channel 22, Los Angeles) talk shows, “Aquí Entre Nos” (“Just Between Us”) established her as a household name throughout the Latino community.
Dr. Nogales also had a regular segment “Solo Para Adultos”, in the News, Univision, Channel 34 and at KLVE Radio, Univision. She participated in many radio and TV shows.
In addition, she has written for the last sixteen years in La Opinión (Los Angeles), the country’s #1 Spanish language newspaper, and La Raza (Chicago) and La Prensa (New York), and her bi-monthly column in the magazine Para Todos.
What have been Ana’s challenges in conveying messages in the media, and what has worked well for her in those settings?
In 1998 she wrote Dr. Ana Nogales’ Book on Love, Sex and Relationships, A Guide for the Latino Couple, co-authored with Laura Golden Bellotti (Broadway Books, A Division of Bantam Doubleday Dell, NY) the first book ever, to address the specific needs and idiosyncrasies of the Latino Couples. Dr. Nogales teamed up again in 2003 with Laura Golden Bellotti and wrote Latina Power! Using the Seven Strengths you already have to create the success you deserve (Simon & Schuster, USA and Puerto Rico and Grijalbo, in Latin America).
I’ll be talking with Ana about her different products, and what led her to develop each.
She also produces a series of self-help audio cassettes called Auto-Ayuda Psicológica. The tapes address many of the topics that are discussed during her radio and television appearances, such as “Combating Depression”, “Managing Anxiety”, and “Understanding the Opposite Sex”. These tapes appeal to the many individuals who are, for whatever the reason, unable to attend psychological sessions but still want the benefit of Dr. Nogales’ knowledge and expertise.
Dr. Nogales has been featured at workshops and conferences all over the United States, including at the Omega Institute, The Women’s Foundation, as well as in Mexico City, Guadalajara and Buenos Aires.
What kinds of messages does Ana speak about most often in her presentations, and why are these messages important to her?
In recognition of the critical role she has played in California, her life story and her varied accomplishments are being featured at the exhibit Latinas: The Spirit of California at the California Museum for History, Women, and the Arts, in Sacramento.
She has also been honored with the “Humanitarian Award” by Soka Gakkai International, USA in 2006. In 2004, she received the Paloma Award from the organization FLAMA (Future Leaders of America) for her “Inspirational Leadership to Serving the Community” and the Mentorship Award from the organization Dialogue on Diversity for “Career Contributions, through Writing, Teaching, and Counseling”. Most recently, she was awarded the Latina Entrepreneur of the Year Award by the Latina Business Women Association on June 2, 2007.
Which awards have meant the most to Ana, and why?
Dr. Nogales is committed to condemn racism and discrimination, and has been appointed to the APA Presidential Virtual Working Group on Anti-Semitic, Anti-Jewish and Other Religions, Religion-Related and/or Religion Derived Prejudice and Discrimination Task Force.
How did Ana become appointed to these working groups and task forces, and what has this meant for her work?