about alyssa

I am Alyssa Lorenzo, MA (she/her), and I am a Chicago-based queer Latina psychotherapist and Post-Masters Fellow at Bespoke Healing. I chose this fellowship to gain support and mentorship as a future first-generation business owner.

I grew up mainly in the south suburbs of Chicago and attended schools where I was usually one of the only brown kids in the class. Growing up as the token Latina in most spaces gave me what appeared to be a strong sense of my ethnic identity. However, it wasn’t until I attended a Hispanic Serving University that my understanding of and connection to my ethnic identity was challenged, and as a certified “no sabo kid,” I was humbled by how much of my ethnic identity I had yet to develop. This, coupled with honoring my own gender and sexual identities, means I am no stranger to the challenges of navigating identity development. 

I am an advocate of breaking the chains of generational trauma and re-authoring a narrative of our lives that is more powerful than the stigmatizing rhetoric and oppressive ideals we have been boxed into. My work has often centered around the ways we hold our stress and trauma in our bodies, especially in folks living with chronic pain, migraines, GI issues, and hormonal issues. I also enjoy working with couples/poly relationships to identify how trauma activation may be affecting their dynamic. I believe that by reclaiming our mind and body we pave the way for new possibilities.

I obtained my B.A. in Psychology from Aurora University and spent time working in the field before going on to graduate school. Whether I was assisting individuals with their medical leave or mentoring new students as they embarked on their psychology graduate studies, each narrative resonated with me. These experiences deepened my understanding that being a good listener is just the beginning of making a meaningful impact. Informed by these experiences, I completed my M.A. in Counseling Psychology from The Chicago School of Professional Psychology. My subsequent professional experience was primarily in the college setting working with students at the Wellness Center at Harold Washington College. At Harold Washington College I worked predominantly with students within the TRIO SSS Program, which services students facing challenges related to socioeconomic status, disabilities, and those who are first-generation college students.

I love most things naturally derived and making things by hand. In my free time, I am a candle and soap maker and I love experimenting with different scents and textures. Incorporating movement into my daily routine is another thing I love to do! Whether it be attending a class at my local yoga studio, going for a long walk with my dog, or dancing in my kitchen while I make dinner, moving my body is one of the ways I show love to my body. Above all, I am a plant parent! My favorite hobby is tending to my plants and watching them flourish.