From Inner Child to Inner Strength: A Mission to Transform Mental Health

An Interview with Irene Nuñez of Flow With It Therapy

Irene Nuñez, licensed clinical social worker and founder of Flow With It Therapy, draws from her personal experience with anxiety and trauma to support healing in the BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ communities. With a background in school and child welfare settings, she uses trauma-informed practices like Somatic Experiencing, EMDR, Brainspotting, and inner child work to help clients break cycles and find balance. As a Cuban-Mexican American, therapist, mother, and new adjunct professor at Cal State Fullerton, Irene is committed to decolonizing and destigmatizing mental health care.

Q: How long has your daughter been at Arborland, and what do you find she enjoys most about her experience here?

My daughter, Arya, has been at Arborland since September 2024. She is in the Spanish Dual Language Primary class and has learned so many valuable life skills during her time there. I've seen tremendous growth in her development in just a few short months, especially as she works on building her confidence. What she enjoys most is the sense of independence she feels she loves sharing what she's learned, whether it's a new Spanish word, a new song, a new dance or a skill she practiced in class. It's been such a joy to witness her excitement and pride in her own progress.

Q: What aspects of the Montessori Method resonated with you when selecting a school for Arya?

What really drew me to the Montessori Method was the emphasis on nurturing the whole child: emotionally, socially, and academically. As well as trusting children to be active participants in their own growth. As a therapist, I value approaches that honor autonomy, emotional awareness, and intrinsic motivation, and Montessori aligned beautifully with those values. From a polyvagal theory perspective, I also appreciate how the Montessori environment naturally supports a child's nervous system by fostering a sense of safety, choice, and connection. All of which are crucial for optimal learning and emotional regulation.

Q: As a therapist who values inner child work, do you see any overlap between that and how Montessori education nurtures independence and emotional awareness in young children?

Absolutely. In therapy, we often help adults reconnect with the parts of themselves that needed more nurturing, validation, choice, or empowerment as children. Montessori, in many ways, provides that from the start  by giving children the space to listen to their own needs, trust their inner voice, and move through the world with a sense of capability and emotional attunement. It’s a beautiful preventative approach to fostering emotional resilience early on in an academic setting. I also appreciate how Montessori education encourages parent involvement, recognizing that a child's growth is supported both at school and at home. When parents are actively engaged, it reinforces the child's sense of safety, connection, and confidence, helping them feel even more anchored in their development.

Q: As a parent yourself, are there any daily routines or practices that support you in showing up as the best version of yourself for your daughter?

One of my biggest anchors is creating small moments of mindfulness throughout the day. Whether it’s a few minutes of deep breathing before picking her up from school or taking a mindful pause before responding to big emotions. I also scan my nervous system through the use of somatic skills to help regulate myself, like grounding exercises or movement when I notice stress building up. Attending my own personal therapy is another important part of this process, as it allows me to intentionally break generational cycles of trauma and ensure that I am not unconsciously passing those patterns on to my daughter. Prioritizing connection time to enhance a safe and nurturing environment for my daughter, like a "mommy-daughter date," or intentional moments with her that also helps me stay present, nourished, and grounded so I can show up with more patience, attunement, and joy.

As a mother herself, Irene offers a powerful perspective on the perinatal period, encouraging moms to see themselves as cycle breakers for their families and future generations — a theme she frequently explores in her practice.

Q: You specialize in supporting moms through every stage of motherhood. What are some common themes you’ve seen arise for mothers during these stages?

A few themes I see often are grief around identity shifts, guilt and perfectionism, the weight of generational trauma, systemic or historical trauma and learning how to re-parent oneself while parenting a child. Across all stages, from fertility journeys to postpartum to parenting older children, the need for self-compassion, community, and nervous system attunement consistently shows up in parenthood.

Q: With your upcoming role as an adjunct professor at Cal State Fullerton, how do you hope to inspire the next generation of trauma-informed social workers?

My biggest hope is to model what it looks like to bring both clinical integration and humanity into the room. I want my students to feel empowered to approach clients with deep empathy, curiosity, and cultural sensitivity. I hope that they remember that their own healing and authenticity are also part of the work. I also place a strong emphasis on helping them recognize early signs of vicarious trauma and compassion fatigue, which are so common in this field. Teaching future social workers how to care for their own nervous systems and set sustainable boundaries is just as important as teaching them clinical skills. Additionally, I weave in decolonial and trauma-informed perspectives throughout my teaching, encouraging students to critically examine traditional models and uplift approaches that honor the lived experiences, resilience, and cultural strengths of the communities they will serve.

Q: What do you consider one of the most meaningful outcomes you've seen as a result of your work?

One of the most meaningful outcomes is witnessing several clients come home to themselves. Whether that means setting healthy boundaries for the first time, reconnecting with joyful parts of themselves, or feeling safe in their body after years of survival mode. Those shifts, though often quiet, are incredibly powerful.

Q: How has your own experience with anxiety and trauma informed the way you show up for your clients today?

It’s given me a deeper well of empathy. I know what it’s like to feel stuck in fear or overwhelm, and I also know how healing it can be to have someone believe in your ability to heal and create a safe environment for them to do so. Because of my lived experience, I approach clients not from a place of "fixing," but from a place of partnership, honoring their inner wisdom and resilience.

Q: Is there anything you’d like to add about your approach to mental health care or the work you do within your practice?

I believe deeply in a holistic approach to healing. In my practice, I integrate EMDR, somatic experiencing, brainspotting, and inner child work, always through a trauma-informed, culturally affirming lens. I also conduct psychological immigration evaluations, where I utilize a trauma-informed approach that prioritizes nervous system regulation and emotional safety throughout the assessment process. My evaluations are comprehensive, honoring each client's story with care and clinical thoroughness to best support their immigration case. Whether in therapy or evaluations, my goal is always to create a space where people feel seen, heard, and supported as they move toward their most authentic, liberated selves.

For more information, please visit Flow With It Therapy online!

Website: https://flowwithittherapy.com/

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