Lourdes M. Garcia is a bilingual Licensed Master Social Worker who is passionate about supporting children, families, and individuals through some of the most difficult moments in their lives. Her experience in schools, community mental health, and crisis services has given her a strong understanding of the many challenges that can affect a person’s emotional well-being and ability to succeed.

Lourdes earned her Master of Social Work from the University of Saint Joseph in West Hartford, Connecticut, with a focus on evidence-based practice with children and families. She is also a certified School Social Worker and has completed specialized training in Circle of Security Parenting and MATCH, an approach designed to support children experiencing anxiety, depression, trauma, and behavioral challenges.

Her work in the mental health field began with a focus on children and families. During her clinical internship with Wheeler Clinic’s Intensive Family Preservation program, Lourdes provided support to families experiencing significant challenges and helped parents develop skills they could use at home. She learned early on the importance of meeting families where they are and building on the strengths they already have.

Lourdes later worked as a bilingual clinician with Wheeler Clinic’s Mobile Crisis team, where she supported children experiencing emotional and behavioral crises. She worked closely with families, schools, hospitals, and the Department of Children and Families to help stabilize situations and connect children with the services they needed. Her experience in crisis work strengthened her ability to remain calm, compassionate, and focused during difficult situations.

She continued to expand her clinical experience as a bilingual outpatient clinician with The Village for Families and Children. In that role, Lourdes provided assessments and therapy while developing treatment plans based on each client's individual needs. She takes a strengths-based and trauma-informed approach and believes that understanding a person's experiences is an important part of helping them move forward.

Today, Lourdes serves as a School-Based Clinician at The Village for Families and Children, providing therapeutic support within the school setting. She works closely with students, families, and school staff to make sure students receive the support they need. She also participates in 504 plan meetings, provides parenting support, and connects families with community resources and additional services when necessary.

Lourdes has a special connection to school social work. During her internship with Hartford Public Schools at Burns Latino Studies Academy, she worked directly with students and families and helped facilitate social and emotional learning groups. That experience helped shape her interest in supporting students within the school environment and working together with educators and families to address concerns before they become greater barriers to success.

Being bilingual is an important part of Lourdes' work. She understands the value of being able to communicate with families in their preferred language and strives to make sure people feel respected and understood throughout the helping process. She believes that trust is built through listening, consistency, and genuine compassion.

Whether she is supporting a student at school, helping a family through a difficult situation, or working with someone during a mental health crisis, Lourdes approaches her work with patience and understanding. She is committed to helping the people she serves recognize their strengths, access the right support, and feel more confident about the path ahead.

For Lourdes, social work is about more than providing services. It is about building relationships and reminding people that they do not have to face difficult times alone.