Joselyn Zambra, LCSW - EMDR & Somatic Therapist
A trauma specialized therapist with PTSD & ADHD…what a joke right? My name is Joselyn, born and raised in Loíza, Puerto Rico…you know, the kind of place people don’t visit unless they’re from the community. Life was chaotic, loud, and full of rollercoasters.
My childhood? A divorced home, a military mom raising four kids with a stepdad who was always deployed. Stress wasn’t just a part of life…it was life. We grew up in the “suck it up and keep going” era—sports, school, and of course, the occasional high-speed chase from a flying chancla. 😅 And let’s not forget those moments when the belt (or whatever was nearby) came out, and suddenly, you’re getting a smack for every syllable being shouted. Classic, right?
It's funny now, but it wasn't then! And let’s not forget the super religious upbringing where God was watching my every move...no talking back and you better be grateful you got food on the table or you're going straight to...well you know.
Independence wasn’t a choice; it was a necessity. I moved out at 17, got married at 19, and walked right into an abusive relationship. I got divorced, lived my best (and messiest) life for a while, then joined the military. That’s where life threw another curveball…I was sexually assaulted.
Fast forward: I met the love of my life. We had a miscarriage, then a son. But even in my happiest moments, I couldn’t shake the feeling that something was wrong with me. I didn’t feel connected...not even to my child. What was wrong with me!?
How somatic practices shifted my experience when talk therapy wasn’t enough for me
It took seven years of therapy for me to figure it out. Seven years. I became a therapist, spent more years of money and training to become trauma-specialized, and finally started unpacking the mountain of trauma I’d been carrying around. That unprocessed pain? It kept me stuck…distrusting everyone, reliving my worst moments, never fully present because I was always waiting for the other shoe to drop.
And let me tell you, when I started looking around the wellness and mental health industry, I realized just how broken it is. It’s full of people preying on the vulnerable, and the ones who need help the most? They’re left out. Finding someone who truly gets you as a minority? Good luck with that. I paid thousands of dollars to become trauma-specialized, and don’t believe this knowledge should be for those who can afford thousands of dollars to heal.
I don’t believe in coddling...so here's the hard uncomfortable truth...growth is hard, uncomfortable, and yes, it hurts. My clients tell me I’ve mastered the balance between honesty, practicality, and giving grace when needed: I don’t speak over their heads, I call out the chaos, and I hand them practical tools to start untangling it.
I’ve lived this. I’ve been through the trenches. I’ve done the work. And now, I share what I’ve learned so others don’t have to feel alone on their wellness journey. The tools I create are designed to support reflection, connection, and personal growth..
Wellness doesn’t have to be expensive or never-ending.
Because therapy is expensive and I am tired of the industry’s greed. I want others to have access to healing and knowledge that actually works & doesn’t just provide temporary relief. Healing shouldn’t just be a privilege, it should be accessible & affordable. Stress and disconnection can take a toll on our lives, but it’s possible to rebuild meaningful relationships and a sense of balance over time..
