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Alissa Catiis, LCSW, RYT, PMH-C, is a Chicago-based therapist specializing in trauma, perinatal mental health, and the intersection of mental well-being and social justice. With a background in yoga and somatic healing, she integrates body-centered approaches to therapy. Passionate about working with BIPOC and immigrant communities, Alissa brings warmth, cultural humility, and deep expertise to her work. She is a therapist at Live Oak Chicago and a dedicated advocate for mental health accessibility.

In this episode, Mariana and Corina chat with Alissa Catiis about her journey in mental health, her approach to trauma and relationship therapy, and the cultural influences that shape her work. Alissa shares how her Filipina-American background and trauma-sensitive yoga training inform her practice, emphasizing body awareness and consent in healing. She reflects on the role of relationships in her career, the complexities of love and cultural identity, and lessons learned from clients about connection, accountability, and growth. The conversation highlights the power of community in therapy and life, closing with Alissa’s advice to her younger self: never let a relationship hold you back from pursuing your dreams.

For more about Alissa, visit Alissa Catiis • Live Oak Chicago

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Co-Hosted by Corina Teofilo Mattson and Mariana Reyes Daza. Show art by Jae Avilez. Music by Brandon Acosta.