Nice to meet you, I'm Bryan
I am Dr. Bryan O. Rojas-Araúz, a bilingual and bicultural licensed psychologist.
I was born in Costa Rica, grew up between cultures, and carry my Afro-Indigenous identity with pride. This blend taught me to live with empathy and to accompany others in their healing process.
With over a decade of experience, I work with diverse communities, from immigrants to social leaders, integrating science, spirituality, and social action.
My mission: to help you heal, grow, and reconnect with yourself.
My path to healing and social justice
My interest in psychotherapy began in community college as I navigated academia as a first-generation immigrant unsure of my path. Years later, I found myself applying to doctoral programs in Counseling Psychology, driven by a desire to serve my community and support others on their healing journeys. I deeply believe psychotherapy can profoundly transform our lives—but I also know it’s not always easy to find the right therapist or open up to a stranger. That’s why I’m here: to walk alongside you with compassion and understanding.
My path to healing and social justice
Activism and community organizing
From a young age, I discovered the importance of speaking up. In California, I participated in social movements, supporting immigrant communities and fighting for youth rights. It was here that my commitment to social justice was born.
Academic and cultural training
I trained as a clinical psychologist, always integrating my Afro-Indigenous and bilingual identity as an essential part of my practice. Each step in my education reinforced my vision of supporting people from a multicultural and human perspective.
Psychology in action
With years of experience, I began developing programs and therapies that united science, spirituality, and community. I worked with people from different cultures and backgrounds, building bridges of understanding and resilience.
Educator, psychologist and diversity advocate
Today, I accompany individuals and communities in their healing journeys, while promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion in mental health. My mission remains the same: to create safe spaces where every person can flourish.
Commitment to healing and diversity
My journey has not only led me to discover who I am, but also to understand the power of diversity and the power of collective healing. I believe that every person deserves to be seen, heard, and supported in their own language, culture, and experience.
This commitment is reflected in my daily work:
Inclusive Healing
I integrate cultural, spiritual, and scientific perspectives to authentically accompany each individual.
Diversity celebrated
I not only recognize difference, I honor it as a source of strength.
Social Justice
My practice is deeply connected to equity and advocacy for historically marginalized communities.
A comprehensive approach to your well-being
Multicultural Feminist therapy
Emphasizes the importance of understanding how sociocultural differences (e.g. race, ethnicity, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, income, disability status, or other social factor(s) affect each individual’s life journey, goals, and challenges
Gestalt Integrative
A holistic, experiential approach that helps individuals process trauma by fostering self-awareness, emotional resilience, and present-moment healing. Rooted in mindfulness and personal empowerment, this evidence-based method supports clients in navigating complex emotional and behavioral challenges with compassion and authenticity.
Eclectic Therapy
An open, integrative form of psychotherapy that adapts to the unique needs of each specific client, depending on the problem, the treatment goals, and the person’s expectations and motivation, aiming to tailor interventions while respecting individual pace and context.
Interpersonal Process therapy
Focused on family relationships as the primary source of learning about oneself and others, and uses therapy as a restorative experience to address past grief and interpersonal conflicts, fostering insight, resilience, and healthier communication within relational contexts.
Positive Psychology
Positive psychology is the study of what is going right with people and how to use those insights and tools to help people not only cope, but thrive, by cultivating strengths, resilience, and well-being in everyday life and across relationships, careers, and communities, communities
ACT
An action-oriented approach that emphasizes the here-and-now, living a values-driven life, and empowers clients to take ownership of their narrative, set meaningful goals, overcome barriers, and cultivate habits that align with their authentic self and long-term well-being.
Education, training and professional community
Education
- University of Colorado Anschutz School of Medicine, Denver, CO --- Pre-Doctoral Resident Primary Care and Community Psychology
- Doctor of Philosophy, Counseling Psychology, University of Oregon, Eugene, OR --- Spanish Language Psychological Services and Research Specialization
- Master of Science, Counseling, Family and Human Services, University of Oregon, Eugene, OR --- Thesis: ¿Quien Soy y Adonde Voy? Ethnic Identity, Spanish Language Engagement, and Critical Consciousness
- Master of Science, Counseling, San Francisco State University, San Francisco, CA --- Specialization in Marriage, Family and Child Therapy Emphasis in College Counseling
- Bachelor of Arts, Psychology, San Jose State University, San Jose, CA --- Minor in Child and Adolescent Development.
Certificates & Trainings
- Circle Keeper Training 2024
- Certified Integrated Gestalt Therapist 2024
- Trauma Focused -CBT Consult 20 hour Certification 2022
- Secondary Trauma Resiliency Training 2021
- Intensive Cross-Cultural Communication and Mindful Facilitation
Memberships
- National Latinx Psychological Association
- American Psychological Association Div: 17, 45, 56
- American Counseling Association
- Monarch Collective
- Therapist of Color Collective
Licenses
- Psy CO #005991
- NPI 1447744644
- PsyPact #14520
Online therapy with interstate reach
Thanks to PSYPACT, I can assist people in different states across the U.S. through telehealth. This certification expands my commitment to accessibility, eliminating geographical barriers and offering a safe space for healing, no matter where you are.
- Alabama
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- Colorado
- Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands
- Delaware
- District of Columbia
- Florida
- North Carolina
- South Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Pennsylvania
- Georgia
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Maine
- Maryland
- Rode Island
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Virginia
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
Let's talk and create your wellness space
Sharing knowledge to inspire change
Through academic articles, essays, and collaborations, I bring my voice to spaces where psychology meets culture, social justice, and healing. Each publication seeks to open paths of reflection and transformation.
Werther E., Rojas-Araúz, B. O. & Atiliano, R., (2022) Somos Fuertes Pero También sufrimos – La Salud mental de hombres Latino: (We are strong but we also suffer- The mental health of Latino Men) in E. Delgado-Romero Latinx Mental Health: From Surviving to Thriving. IGI Global.
McWhirter, E.H., Yarris, K., & Rojas-Araúz, B. O. (2021). Description and Pilot Evaluation of a Dreamer Ally Training for Higher Education Staff and Faculty. Journal of Social Action in Counseling and Psychology.
Cadenas, G., Peña, D., Minero, L., Rojas-Araúz, B. O., & Lynn, N. (2021). Critical Agency and Vocational Outcomes Expectations as Coping Mechanisms Among Undocumented Immigrant Students. Journal of Latinx Psychology.
McWhirter, E.H., Cendejas, C., Fleming, M., Martinez, S., Mather, N., Garcia, Y., Romero, L., Ortega, R. I., & Rojas-Araúz, B. O. (2020). College and career ready and critically conscious: Asset-building with Latinx immigrant youth. Journal of Career Assessment.
McWhirter, E.H., Rojas-Araúz, B. O., Ortega, R. I., Combs, D., Cendejas, C., & McWhirter B. (2019). ALAS: An Intervention to Promote Career Development Among Latina/o Immigrant High School Students. Journal of Career Development, 46(6), 608–622.
Toporek, R. L., Sapigao, W., & Rojas-Araúz, B. O. (2016). Fostering the Development of a Social Justice Perspective and Action: Finding a Social Justice Voice. In C. M. Alexander, J. M. Casas, L. A. Suzuki, & M. Jackson (Eds.), Handbook of multicultural counseling (4th ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: SAGE.
Rojas-Araúz, B. O. (2014). “I Am” poem on the Latinx immigrant experience in the U.S. In G. L. Orozco, W. L. Lee, J. A. Blando & B. Shooshani (Eds.), Introduction to multicultural counseling for helping professionals (3rd ed.) (pp. 117-118). New York, NY: Routledge.
Books
Toporek, R., Aluwhalia, M., Bines, D., & Rojas-Araúz, B. O., (2025) Workbook for Social Action for Counselor, Psychologist, & Helping Professionals Through Strength, Solidarity, Strategy, and Sustainability. Cognella Press
Manuscripts In Progress
Rojas-Araúz, B. O., Combs, D., & McWhirter, E.H. (In preparation). Dreaming of careers: Career counseling with undocumented students, transferable skills, and other solutions.
Rojas-Araúz, B. O., Chronister, K., & Combs, D. (In preparation). Living in academia’s multiple marginalizations: Counseling first generation female immigrant college students.
Somos Fuertes Pero También sufrimos - La Salud mental de hombres Latino: (We are strong but we also suffer- The mental health of Latino Men) in E. Delgado-Romero Latinx Mental Health: From Surviving to Thriving. IGI Global.
Description and Pilot Evaluation of a Dreamer Ally Training for Higher Education Staff and Faculty. Journal of Social Action in Counseling and Psychology.
Critical Agency and Vocational Outcomes Expectations as Coping Mechanisms Among Undocumented Immigrant Students. Journal of Latinx Psychology.
College and career ready and critically conscious: Asset-building with Latinx immigrant youth. Journal of Career Assessment.
ALAS: An Intervention to Promote Career Development Among Latina/o Immigrant High School Students. Journal of Career Development, 46(6), 608–622.
Fostering the Development of a Social Justice Perspective and Action: Finding a Social Justice Voice. In C. M. Alexander, J. M. Casas, L. A. Suzuki, & M. Jackson (Eds.), Handbook of multicultural counseling (4th ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: SAGE.
“I Am” poem on the Latinx immigrant experience in the U.S. In G. L. Orozco, W. L. Lee, J. A. Blando & B. Shooshani (Eds.), Introduction to multicultural counseling for helping professionals (3rd ed.) (pp. 117-118). New York, NY: Routledge.
Workbook for Social Action for Counselor, Psychologist, & Helping Professionals Through Strength, Solidarity, Strategy, and Sustainability. Cognella Press
Dreaming of careers: Career counseling with undocumented students, transferable skills, and other solutions.
Living in academia’s multiple marginalizations: Counseling first generation female immigrant college students.
Healing and diversity on new platforms
I've participated in audiovisual projects that amplify stories of resilience and diversity. From podcasts to film and video, I use these mediums to bring mental health and inclusion to a wider audience.
Rojas-Araúz, B. O. (2020). Duck Tails: Stories from around the O. Podcast
Rojas-Araúz, B. O. appearing in Toporek, R. L., Ahluwalia, M. K., & Robey, E. (Producers). (2019). Helping Counselors and Psychologists as Advocates and Activists: Strength, Solidarity, Strategy and Sustainability. Alexander Street Microtraining Associates. Alexandria, VA.
Rojas-Araúz, B. O. (2019). UO DREAMer Scholarship. https://duckfunder.uoregon.edu/DREAMers
Rojas-Araúz, B. O. (2018). Mapuche Warrior. Documentary presented at Community Alliance of Lane County Environmental and Indigenous Rights Defense, Eugene, OR.
Rojas-Araúz, B. O. (2018). 10 Stages of Genocide. Documentary presented at Introduction to Documentary Filmmaking Screening, University of Oregon, Eugene, OR.
Combs, D. & Rojas-Araúz, B. O. (2017, June). DREAMless. Documentary presented at Latino Roots Documentary Film Screening, Eugene, OR. https://vimeo.com/221658847
Duck Tails: Stories from around the O. Podcast
Helping Counselors and Psychologists as Advocates and Activists: Strength, Solidarity, Strategy and Sustainability. Alexander Street Microtraining Associates. Alexandria, VA.
UO DREAMer Scholarship. https://duckfunder.uoregon.edu/DREAMers
Mapuche Warrior. Documentary presented at Community Alliance of Lane County Environmental and Indigenous Rights Defense, Eugene, OR.
10 Stages of Genocide. Documentary presented at Introduction to Documentary Filmmaking Screening, University of Oregon, Eugene, OR.
DREAMless. Documentary presented at Latino Roots Documentary Film Screening, Eugene, OR. https://vimeo.com/221658847
