CLAUDIA OLAVE - GUILLERMO
SRQ BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT
Claudia Olave-Guillermo's story is one of courage, determination, and unwavering commitment to helping others. Her journey is incredibly inspiring, and I've felt a strong connection with her on many levels during our 2 hour session. With a heart as big as her passion and a wealth of knowledge to match, she's the kind of person you're grateful to know.
At the age of 15, she embarked on a life-altering journey as she, along with her siblings, immigrated to the United States. Their mother, widowed and burdened with the responsibility of raising three children, made the difficult yet courageous decision to seek a better future in a foreign land—a decision echoed by countless immigrant families striving for a brighter tomorrow.
Settling in a new country brought its own set of challenges for Claudia and her family. Yet, through perseverance and sheer grit, Claudia not only adapted to her new surroundings but thrived. She understood firsthand the importance of legal status in the United States—a cornerstone for pursuing one's dreams without the shadow of fear looming overhead.
Driven by her experiences and fueled by her passion for making a difference, Claudia charted a remarkable path in the field of social work. Armed with a Master's degree in Social Work from Columbia University School of Social Work and a Master's degree in Psychology from the City University of New York, she embarked on a journey to uplift and empower individuals facing adversity.
For the past 24 years, Claudia has dedicated herself to private practice, offering a range of services aimed at supporting those in need. Her expertise spans a wide spectrum, from conducting hardship evaluations to addressing issues of domestic abuse. Moreover, her commitment to justice and compassion shines through in her work with asylum seekers, offering evaluations crucial in their pursuit of safety and security.
Claudia's impact extends far beyond the confines of her office walls. As a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in multiple states, including New York, Florida, South Carolina, Georgia, and Pennsylvania, she continues to touch the lives of countless individuals and families, providing them with the support and guidance they need to navigate life's challenges.
Let’s get to know Claudia Olave-Guillermo, a face behind the VICALEX, Behavioral Health & Immigration Services PA .
Claudia, welcome to Florida and wishing you all the best in your business!
What inspired you to start your own business?
The person who inspired me was my mentor and friend, Dr. Scott Mesh, who runs a very successful early intervention company in New York. When I obtained my first masters in psychology, Dr. Mesh was my clinical supervisor and he always encouraged me to thrive for bigger dreams. Ultimately, my husband, Ray, of 38 years has been my “cheerleader” who have always supported me in pursuing my professional dreams. Because of my husband’s support, I have been able to have a successful full-time private practice for the past 24 years.
When was the business founded?
I founded my business in New York in 2005 and when I relocated to Florida two and half years ago, I founded another company to continue my private practice.
What is your business slogan or motto?
Although I have never thought about a slogan or motto, I would say it would be: “Empowering Minds, Healing Hearts”, because as you empowered your mind, your heart begins to heal.
What makes your business unique?
I would say that what makes my business unique is that I have been able to run a successful full-time private practice for the past 24 years.
What product/services do you offer?
I offered psychotherapy via telehealth or in-person in the Sarasota area. I also offered immigration psychosocial evaluations for those clients who need their immigration petition for legal status reinforced or traumas validated.
What inspires your work and what sets you apart from everyone else?
My ongoing inspiration has always been the healing process and empowering that I have seen from my patients. As a professional of Colombian descent who migrated when I was 15 years old, my greatest joy has been in being perceived as a role model to other minority adolescents. As a graduate from Columbia University, one of my minority adolescent male patients saw my degree and he was in awe that I had such an accomplishment. I always encouraged him to dream big: “Claro que si puedes…Si yo lo hice, tu lo puedes hacer (Yes, you are able to do it…If I did it, you will do it too). Then, I learned that when he graduated from high school, he had been accepted to Columbia University. My position as a role model and role in empowering others fuels me.
What has been your biggest success to date?
I can’t say that I have one success, but many. I love being a guidance force for those who have suffered from trauma and helping them heal. In regards to my immigration evaluations, the positive outcomes of the immigration cases always brings me success and joy when I learned that my detailed reports were an intricate part in the success of the case.
What has been your biggest challenge?
The biggest challenge have always been dealing with insurance company since from the beginning of my practice I decided to take insurance. Since I am starting a new chapter in my personal and professional lives, per se, here in Florida, I have move to private pay practice only.
If you could go back to the beginning knowing what you know now, what would you have done differently?
Actually, I would not done anything differently because I have a great mentor and tremendous support from my husband.
What’s your best advice for someone who wants to start a business?
The best advice I could give is to get educated about the business you want to start and surround yourself with a good support system of professionals.
What’s something about you (a fun fact) that not many people know?
A fun fact is that I love to garden. I think that’s the caretaker in me. I could spend hours planting and fixing my garden.
What do you love the most about Sarasota?
As a new resident, I love how welcomed we have felt.
If I had an extra $100,000, I would….
I would create an anonymous donation to people who are in serious need.
Favorite restaurants in town
My favorite restaurant on Lakewood Ranch Main Street is Inkawasi Peruvian Restaurant.
How do you define success?
I define success by how I have been able to help others through my years in practice and personally, by the happiness my husband and I experience with the growth in our two young adults children.
What’s the next step for your business?
The next step for my business is to begin to build my private practice in the Sarasota area.
CLAUDIA OLAVE - GUILLERMO, MA, MSSW, LCSW-R
VICALEX, Behavioral Health & Immigration Services PA
9040 Town Center Parkway, Lakewood Ranch, Fl 34202
phone: 845-364-9226
email: claudia@vicalex.net
website: http://vicaleximmigrationservices.com
About SRQ Business Spotlight
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In this project, Sylwia Ok Photography highlights small businesses in the SRQ area. If you are a business owner and would like to have your business featured here on the blog and on social media, contact me through this form, and let’s talk about your own Business Spotlight!
