My name is Keren Cardenas and I was born in Venezuela. My family and I moved here as missionaries when I was 9 years old. It was difficult to start over in a new country at first, however I soon became aculturated. My parents worked hard to establish a Spanish-speaking church in Aurora, Illinois, a suburb of Chicago. After high school, I attended Oral Roberts University in Tulsa Oklahoma, were I obtained a Bachelor’s of science degree in Psychology. Then, I pursued and obtained a Master’s Degree in Clinical Psychology in Marriage and Family Therapy at Azusa Pacific University. While in school, I completed practicum hours at Nueva Vista Family Services where I gave therapy to children and their families. This experience further strengthened my belief in the value of family relationships and restoration. I discovered the importance of incorporating all aspects of the self into the therapy sessions, which are the mind, body, soul and spirit. My hope as a therapist is to help families live a more adequate life and build positive relationships with others.
