Today we’d like to introduce you to Marianne Dublado.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
When I was 7 years old, I knew that I wanted to help people. And somehow, instead of dreaming of being a princess or dreaming of things typical 7-year-olds dreamt of, I wanted to be a psychiatrist. Can you imagine being 7 and knowing that you wanted to talk to people about their issues and help them this way?
I went to a high school and learned that it took decades to become a psychiatrist. It was daunting, so I decided not to pursue it.
I am a 1.5-generation Filipina American. I call myself Philippines-made and Houston-raised. I came here at 7 years old and grew up bi-culturally, with a Filipino heritage on American soil. My mother was wise enough to ensure that I remembered our mother tongue. As I practiced English, she responded to me in Tagalog/Cebuano, our Filipino dialects.
Like most Filipino families, they wanted me to become a Registered Nurse. Since my dreams of becoming a psychiatrist were dashed, I figured nursing would be another way for me to help people. I worked hard and was accepted into nursing school. After a year, I was not thriving and was close to failing out. Nursing school did take me to a summer internship in Mexico. I figured if I liked nursing in Mexico, I could like it in America. Well, it still wasn’t a good fit.
But my preceptor in Mexico could tell that nursing was not my gifting, but she told me about social work. When we did our research, trekking through the mountains to check in with Mazahuan tribes that had high incidents of diabetes and hypertension, I was able to connect with our patients, even through language barriers. She saw this in me and suggested that I become a social worker. When I landed stateside, after this internship, to the dismay of my family, I dropped out of nursing school and pursued becoming a social worker.
Through this journey, I realized that my dream at 7 years old could still be a reality. I could still talk to folks about what was bothering them. I graduated with my Master’s Degree in Social Work over a decade ago. After many different settings, I finally took the plunge and in February 2023, started my own private practice. A dream that 7-year-old Marianne never could have imagined.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
No road is ever smooth. In order to get into a space in my career where I can honor the best life and work balance, I have had to go through some toxic organizations that did not honor me, my time, my abilities, my value, or my worth financially.
I learned a lot about self-worth, salary transparency, and how corporations and organizations give women of color the short end of the stick.
I am now in a position, with my skills and experience, to bet on myself and take a chance. And because of the obstacles and challenges that I have endured, I am determined to advocate for professionals to take the jump to entrepreneurship.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Provenance Care Services, PLCC?
My business is a private practice that serves the community in mental and behavioral health care. I am one of a HANDFUL of Filipina American therapists based in Houston, the fourth largest and most diverse city in the nation. I am trilingual in English and the Filipino dialects: Tagalog and Cebuano. I have a unique understanding of the bicultural/immigrant experience, being an immigrant myself. I believe everyone has an innate need to feel seen and valued. This is my goal in my practice: that the person sitting in front of me knows their value and provide a safe space to process the jagged edges of life. I want to ensure that the goals clients have in therapy are met and to empower them to face the other side of my office door.
I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker- Supervisor who specialized in trauma-informed practices. I believe in holistic care and not just treating symptoms. I have a special interest in BIPOC concerns, including and not limited to decolonizing and deconstructing oppressive systems that have kept BIPOC folks captive.
Alright, so before we go can you talk to us a bit about how people can work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
To journey together with me as their therapist, they can go to my website: www.provenancecs.com. I do free 15-minute consultations to see if we are a good match. My goal is to ensure that you have the best care possible, whether it is with me or someone else.
To collaborate with me as a business or other projects, they can also visit my website or email me directly at: marianne@provenancecs.com. I love collaborating with other businesses and therapists with the same mission and values, especially in advocating for health disparities.
I am starting a shop where proceeds of the profits go towards a fund to assist folks with low-cost or pro-bono care for survivors in the community. There are many who do not have access to quality healthcare due to lack of funds or insurance; currently, what is in my shop are journals or self-care items. Most items are from small businesses. I am currently in the process of making other products to sell to support this project.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.provenancecs.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/provenance_care/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/provenancecs/
Image Credits
Alice Salinas Photography
