Embracing Joy, Identity & Pride with Dr. Ernesto Lira de la Rosa
This Pride Month, we’re holding space to honor the vast and vibrant diversity within the LGBTQ+ community, especially the richness of sexual orientation and gender identity and expression.
In the midst of ongoing challenges and systemic harms, this session is an invitation to gather in community, to bear witness to each other's truths, and to affirm the beauty and strength found in every identity.
Let’s celebrate joy, resilience, and the radical act of showing up for ourselves and each other.
During this session, we will experience:
Grounding Exercise: 4-7-8 Breath Work
Group Conversation/Discussion
Witnessing Each Other
Share what brings you joy about your identity or a moment when your identity was affirmed by someone else. How did that support shape you?What I Know Now
If you could say something to your younger self, or to a younger LGBTQ+ person coming into their identity, what would you say?
"You are…” “You deserve…” “You will…”
Name One Thing You’re Taking With You
Use your voice or the chat to share one word or phrase you’re walking away from the session with.
For this session, we will be led by Dr. Ernesto Lira de la Rosa (he/him/his), who is a Clinical Assistant Professor in the Department of Applied Psychology at NYU Steinhardt. He earned his Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.
Ernesto has extensive experience as a clinician, researcher, educator, and consultant in both the Midwest and the East Coast. His clinical expertise includes working with complex trauma, anxiety and mood disorders, stress and burnout, and substance use disorders. He has worked extensively with survivors of sexual abuse, LGBTQ+ individuals, people of color, and clients with intersecting identities. His therapeutic approach is rooted in humanistic and feminist frameworks, emphasizing cultural context, social justice, and advocacy.
He leads the CHISME Research Team - Clinicians Helping Inform Social Change through Mental Health Education - focused on advancing mental health education and fostering social change. Additionally, he serves as the Director of the LGBTQ+ Health, Education, and Social Services certificate program at NYU Steinhardt, which equips professionals to work effectively with LGBTQ+ communities in educational, healthcare, research, counseling, and community-based settings.
Come one, come all. We can't wait to gather with you soon.