Today we’d like to introduce you to Corrie Van Auger
Hi Corrie, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
After graduating from high school in Cincinnati, I wanted to explore the world as much as possible. I attended the University of Maryland and had two formative study abroad experiences, which initiated my love for Spanish. My first summer abroad in Taxco, Mexico was thrilling! I was dying to understand the language and all the smells, tastes, sounds, and sights of Mexico left me wanting more. I declared a double major in Spanish and Communication, with a focus on public relations. I studied abroad in Spain another summer and while Spain-Spanish was much more difficult, I was enamored with it.
Six weeks after graduating with a bachelor’s degree, I was sent to Ecuador as a Peace Corps Volunteer. There, I focused on public health efforts in the Amazon province of Zamora Chinchipe. I lived with host families and solo, but I was able to develop fluency in Spanish and build lifelong relationships with local counterparts. I have three godchildren in Ecuador and have been fortunate enough to return for one goddaughter’s quinceanera in 2018. Joining the Peace Corps was the greatest decision I made in my 20s and I highly urge anyone to do it if they are considering the commitment. The two-year commitment flies by.
Upon returning to the US and readjusting to the hustle and bustle of American life, I worked as a barista and as a Hispanic outreach coordinator for a local social service agency in Cincinnati. I still remember my first client asking for help in telling her landlord about her broken dishwasher. We got it fixed after a few calls, but the gift of speaking two languages motivated me to do more. I love the Latine community and how welcoming people are both in and out of their native countries.
I decided to get a master’s in social work from The Ohio State University, and I continue to work with Hispanic and immigrant populations in Columbus. I have focused most of my career on healthcare but in 2015, a colleague introduced me to psychological assessments for immigration cases. This is a perfect blend of Spanish, social work, and journalism–all of my professional passions. I was doing assessments as a side hustle until COVID burned me out from emergency department social work and I decided to dedicate myself to full-time self-employment, providing bilingual mental health services.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I feel very fortunate for all of my experiences and where they have taken me. I think timing is everything and while some ventures may not require my full effort or attention in the moment, they have helped me build a very resourceful “toolbelt” that I constantly use. Being bilingual takes patience and humility. I had a college professor who said I would never learn become a fluent Spanish-speaker and now, I get sad if I go a few days without speaking it. Never be afraid to try; you learn from your mistakes and those learning moments help you connect with others.
Professionally, I have learned how to deal with burn-out the hard way. Social service is incredibly taxing and taking care of yourself is hard to do when you put others’ needs first. Removing myself from toxic work environments has been a hard lesson and COVID has amplified this for everyone. I think having multiple sources of income, or interests, helps prevent burn-out and can lead you to more fulfilling opportunities down the road.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Volar Behavioral Consulting?
I specialize in mental health assessments for immigration cases. I am bilingual in Spanish and have worked with many interpreters in the past, so I am proud of the culturally and linguistically aware services we offer. I have assessed individuals and families applying for asylum, visas for survivors of abuse or trafficking, as well as waivers for spouses. I have met with people from all over the world and feel honored to share their stories to an immigration court. The immigration process is daunting, and costly, however I feel we deliver welcoming, trauma-informed services to clients. I also offer counseling services for individual adults, specifically those seeking eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) therapy.
Are there any important lessons you’ve learned that you can share with us?
Take advantage of opportunities! Early on in my entrepreneurial venture, I was asked to speak about immigration and mental health. I was unsure of my abilities, but the experience boosted my confidence and reaffirmed that I am an expert in my area of work. Making mistakes has helped me learn, as well. I remember thinking it was the end of the world when I bought an expensive payment device when I first started my business; in the end, it helped me get my business started and now I am much more wary of “upgrades” offered.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.volarbehavioral.com
