Dr. Alicia del Prado is a licensed counseling psychologist and tenured associate professor at the Wright Institute in Berkeley, 
California. She is also the co-founder of the Asian American Psychology Association’s Division on Asian Americans with Mixed Heritage. Alicia specializes in working with clients with depression and anxiety and has expertise providing clinical services to university undergraduate and graduate students, professionals, and people of color.
Alicia talks about how the pains and losses in her life has helped her gain confidence and let her become a better version of herself to pursue her dreams and goals in her authentic way. Check out her episode to listen to her story.
Bio
Dr. Alicia del Prado is a licensed counseling psychologist and tenured associate professor at the Wright Institute in Berkeley, California. She is also the co-founder of the Asian American Psychology Association’s Division on Asian Americans with Mixed Heritage.
Cultural Background
Alicia is a biracial Filipina-Italian American woman.
Favorite Self Confidence Quote
Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? Your playing small does not serve the world.
Definition of Self Confidence
Self-confidence means being comfortable with yourself, strengths and flaws, beauty marks and blemishes.
Her Life Before the Discovery of Self Confidence
As a young girl, Dr. del Prado had a good amount of confidence and felt self-assured. Then around age 12-13, she had some falling out with friends in which led her to feel pretty alone and to start to doubt herself.
The “AHA” Moment
Dr. del Prado’s strengths and “aha” moments have often come through finding meaning from difficult and painful times.
In her early 20s, she had a very bad break-up. She learned that her boyfriend of 8 years was cheating on her and was going to be a father with the woman he was also having a relationship with.
When she first learned of this news, she felt like there was a hole, the size of an extra large pizza, across her heart and torso area. However, she survived the betrayal and survived the pain. And, as the hole slowly shrank and ultimately disappeared, she also realized how strong she was. The hole was replaced with a new sense of self, an even better version of herself then existed before.
And from this experience, she knew that she could survive anything after that.
Her Life After the Discovery of Self Confidence
Now, Dr. del Prado is not plagued with the same worries that used to weigh her down. She tries to live very mindfully. When she is with her 2 sons, she tries to be in the moment with them and appreciate their laughs and smiles. Dr. del Prado has a sense of clarity that helps her pursue her goals and dreams authentically.
The One Self Confidence Tip For the Listener
“Follow your heart.”
This advice was given to Dr. del Prado when she was at an important “fork in the road” moment when choosing her career path, and it has served her well. She hopes others will also “Follow their hearts”, and that the passion they find and feel will get them through the hard times too.
Interview Links
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