Mental Health Speaker in Arizona: Culturally Responsive, Trauma-Informed Presentations

Bring authentic, grounded expertise to your next conference, training, or community event. Iliamari Vázquez Houston, LCSW shares insights on maternal mental health, intergenerational trauma, BIPOC healing, and supporting first responder families.

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Iliamari Vázquez Houston, LCSW: Trauma Therapist, Advocate, & Thought Leader

Iliamari Vázquez Houston is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, EMDR-certified trauma therapist, and the founder of With An Open Heart, LLC—a culturally responsive therapy practice based in Tempe, Arizona.

As a proud Latina, daughter of Puerto Rican parents, wife to a BIPOC first responder, and mother of two, Iliamari brings both professional expertise and lived experience to every presentation. Her work centers the voices and experiences of BIPOC communities, first-generation individuals, cycle breakers, and those navigating the complex intersection of culture, trauma, and healing.

Available for keynotes, panel discussions, workshops, and clinician trainings | In-person and virtual presentations | Serving Arizona and national audiences

  • Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)
  • EMDR-Certified
  • Ketamine Assisted EMDR Therapy™ Certified
  • IFS (Internal Family Systems) Level 1 Trained
  • Run/Walk/Talk Therapy Certified
  • Arizona Board-Approved Clinical Supervisor
  • 15+ years in mental health and community work

Credentials & Training:

With over 15 years in the mental health field—including experience in community mental health, crisis intervention, maternal mental health, and trauma therapy—Iliamari offers grounded, actionable insights that resonate with diverse audiences. She doesn't just talk about cultural responsiveness; she embodies it.

Her Approach: 

Iliamari's presentations blend clinical expertise with cultural authenticity. She speaks with warmth, honesty, and a deep understanding of the systemic barriers that affect mental health access and outcomes. Her goal is always to educate, inspire, and equip audiences with practical tools they can apply immediately—whether they're clinicians, community leaders, or individuals on their own healing journeys.

Presentation Formats:
In-person (Arizona and national)
Virtual (via Zoom or preferred platform)
Hybrid events


Topics That Center Culture, Trauma, and Collective Healing

Iliamari tailors every presentation to meet the needs of your audience. Below are her core speaking topics, which can be adapted for keynotes, workshops, panels, or training sessions.

Maternal & Perinatal Mental Health

For: Healthcare providers, community organizations, parent groups, doulas, lactation consultants

The transition to parenthood is one of the most profound—and often most isolating—experiences a person can go through. This presentation explores perinatal and postpartum mental health through a culturally responsive lens, addressing the unique challenges faced by BIPOC mothers navigating cultural expectations, generational advice, and their own healing.

Key Takeaways:

  • Understanding perinatal mood and anxiety disorders beyond the "baby blues"
  • How cultural expectations around motherhood impact mental health
  • The difference between intrusive thoughts and postpartum psychosis
  • Creating culturally affirming support systems for new parents
  • When and how to refer clients to specialized perinatal mental health care

Mental Health in BIPOC Communities

For: Mental health professionals, community organizations, educational institutions, corporate DEI initiatives

Mental health care in the U.S. was not built with BIPOC communities in mind. This presentation examines the barriers to accessing care, the impact of cultural stigma, and the necessity of trauma-informed, culturally responsive approaches that honor lived experience.

Key Takeaways:

  • Why traditional therapy models often fail BIPOC clients
  • The role of systemic racism and historical trauma in mental health outcomes
  • Building trust with communities that have been harmed by healthcare systems
  • Cultural humility vs. cultural competence: what actually works
  • Practical strategies for creating inclusive, affirming mental health spaces

Supporting First Responder Families

For: Fire departments, police departments, EMS organizations, veteran services, family support programs

First responders carry the weight of their communities—but who carries the weight for them and their families? This presentation addresses the mental health challenges faced by first responders and their spouses, including occupational trauma, vicarious trauma, and the unique stressors of living with someone in a high-risk profession.

Key Takeaways:

  • Understanding occupational trauma and moral injury
  • The ripple effects of first responder stress on family systems
  • Why spouses and partners need their own support
  • How to create culturally responsive mental health resources for first responder families
  • EMDR and trauma-focused treatment for occupational trauma

Breaking Generational Cycles

For: Therapists, educators, community leaders, cycle breakers, first-generation professionals

Breaking generational patterns is one of the loneliest—and most courageous—journeys a person can take. This presentation explores what it means to be a cycle breaker, the emotional toll of disrupting family systems, and how to honor your roots while creating healthier patterns for future generations.

Key Takeaways:

  • What generational trauma is and how it's passed down
  • The guilt, grief, and isolation that come with breaking cycles
  • How to set boundaries without abandoning cultural values
  • Supporting clients who are first-generation or navigating cultural identity
  • Reframing "breaking cycles" as continuing family resilience, not rejecting it

Navigating Trauma & Collective Healing

For: Mental health clinicians, community organizers, social workers, faith communities

Trauma doesn't happen in isolation, and healing doesn't either. This presentation examines trauma through a collective lens—how communities heal together, how culture influences trauma responses, and why individual therapy alone isn't always enough.

Key Takeaways:

  • Understanding trauma as relational and systemic, not just individual
  • The role of community in healing from collective trauma
  • Cultural practices and rituals as trauma healing tools
  • How to incorporate community-based approaches into clinical practice
  • The concept of "healing in community" vs. healing in isolation

Custom Topics Available

Iliamari is also available to develop custom presentations tailored to your organization's specific needs.

Topics can include:

  • Culturally responsive EMDR and IFS therapy
  • Movement and somatic approaches to trauma healing
  • Clinical supervision for trauma-informed care
  • Burnout and compassion fatigue in helping professions
  • Identity exploration and cultural navigation for first-generation individuals

Iliamari has presented to a wide range of audiences, including:

Healthcare & Clinical Settings | Educational Institutions | Community & Nonprofit Organizations |
 Professional Conferences | Corporate & Workplace Settings

Whether your audience is 20 or 200, clinicians or community members, Iliamari meets them where they are with warmth, authenticity, and expertise.

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info.withanopenheartllc@gmail.com

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480-234-9256

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4500 S. Lakeshore Dr., Suite 415 Tempe, Arizona 85282

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