Jocelyn Barrera

The Christi Center offers hope after the death of a loved one by providing support networks, community education, and therapeutic activities that are free, peer-based, and ongoing. The Christi Center is a free resource for any grieving person in Central Texas. We provide the space for you to build your support network, by connecting you with others who have had a similar loss. We offer peer-based support groups in-person and online for adults, teens (13-17), and youth (ages 5-12). We also offer individual counseling for youth, victim support after a loss due to a crime, and community training and education.

Originally, my role as the Bilingual Support Coordinator combined two of my previous roles, individual counseling for youth and family, as well as group facilitation and support. As I grew in my role at the Christi Center, I realized that grief work is so important and often neglected. We all experience grief in different ways, I realized addressing grief is so important since our culture often tells us to “move on,” or “let it go.” This is such important work and I am honored to hold this space for clients.

Clients drive my passion. When I hear from clients that this is the only place I can talk about my person or that the Christi Center is the only place where I don’t feel judged, I know we’ve done our job here. Recently a client told me that she was referred to our groups by her therapist after the loss of her mom. She shared with the group that even though her therapy has been helpful, the group is where she feels that she’s been able to understand and process her grief, especially having a knowledgeable facilitator specializing in grief. I know we have something special, and though I know the group isn’t for everyone, it is so important for people to know it’s OK to grieve and find ways to honor the person that’s meaningful for them.

We also have the best team! We are a small but mighty team of 6 and each of us brings something to the table. I could not do this work without them. Whether it’s processing what happens in our work, or counting on each other to help in programs, this team is a true treasure.

Yes! Our previous Program Director and Director of Clinical Education, Erin Spalding, LCSW-S. She has been with the Christi Center since 2007, and she recently transitioned into private practice. She was my supervisor for such a long time, and she made me realize how much of the grieving process is normal and that ultimately, our job is about helping people understand that. She made such a difference in so many people’s lives and I’m proud of all the work she continues to do as a professor at several universities and as a therapist.

I would say funding. We are a small but mighty agency, and we do so much work for our community, but sometimes people shy away from hearing about grief and loss. This is an issue that impacts everyone, and it is important to continue talking about it and bringing awareness that people are impacted by grief and agencies like ours help provide support. Getting the word out continuing to tell our story and providing education can help with making sure our agency stays sustainable.

The best advice I ever received is asking or thinking to myself, “Are you looking for solutions or are you looking to vent?” I often hear from so many people in my position telling me about different things to try or “Why doesn’t the agency do this?” As a social worker and therapist first, I often try to approach situations with that in my mind. Oftentimes, people want to seek support, and we can approach the problem together, and then other times, people just need to vent. Both are acceptable, but that way you approach the situation with connection.

Be okay with not knowing things! People are often forgiving and supportive when they know where you are coming from.

Self-care is so important! And I’m not talking about “bubble baths,” I’m talking about emergency self-care. You have 10 minutes in between minutes to regulate yourself, how are you going to do that? Think of things that can help you in those short periods and that helps with your day overall. And then add those other activities when you have leisurely time.

Build relationships. Our amazing development consultant, Ana-Cristina Gonzalez, taught me that this role is all about building relationships and the rest comes after that. Remembering to be a person first and foremost and then talking about your work is so important!