Today we’d like to introduce you to Maria Sanchez.
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?
Your Story
My journey began long before Brain Focus Counseling Agency or Cartas con Propósito existed. It began with survival.
I am originally from Puerto Rico, where I endured a deeply challenging chapter of my life marked by domestic abuse and a painful divorce. Eventually, I made the difficult decision to leave everything I knew and come to the United States in search of safety and a better future for my children. What I did not anticipate was how isolating and overwhelming that transition would be.
When I arrived in the U.S., I had no family nearby, no friends, no guidance, and no understanding of the English language. I did not know where I was, how systems worked, or where to turn for help. At one point, I opened my door to find an eviction notice waiting for us. I was alone, afraid, and uncertain about how I would protect my children or move forward.
In the middle of that turmoil, an unexpected act of compassion changed everything. A 10-year-old girl in the neighborhood—who did not know us, did not speak our language, and knew nothing about our circumstances—simply wanted to play with my children. Because I spoke no English at the time, we communicated through drawings and pictures. Through those simple images, she began helping my children and me in ways that went far beyond play.
One day, she came to my door holding a set of keys and a drawing of a car. At first, I was confused, but I soon understood what she was trying to communicate. Concerned about causing any misunderstanding, I used drawings to ask her to return the keys to her mother. When I stepped onto the porch and watched her hand them back, her mother looked at me and gently signaled that I could use their car.
I was overwhelmed with gratitude. This family knew nothing about me—not my past, my struggles, or even whether I had a driver’s license—yet they chose to trust and help us. That moment felt like divine intervention. To this day, I consider that child an angel placed in our lives at a moment when fear and uncertainty surrounded us. That experience permanently shaped my understanding of human compassion, trust, and the power of simple kindness.
Out of those lived experiences, Cartas con Propósito was born. Cartas con Propósito began as a way to extend a hand to immigrants and individuals living under oppression, fear, or systemic barriers. Its purpose is to help people access resources, guidance, and emotional support so they can continue moving forward rather than feeling stuck or invisible. Through advocacy, written guidance, and community support, Cartas con Propósito became a bridge between vulnerability and empowerment.
As my own healing journey continued, I recognized that surviving crisis does not automatically heal emotional wounds. Trauma, anxiety, depression, and emotional distress often linger long after the immediate danger has passed. That realization led to the creation of Brain Focus Counseling Agency.
Brain Focus was founded with the mission of supporting individuals facing mental health challenges, emotional distress, trauma, and major life transitions. As counselors, we do not “fix” people—rather, we support, guide, and walk alongside them as they gain understanding of their experiences, regulate their emotions, and regain clarity and control over their lives. Whether someone is navigating anxiety, depression, trauma, family conflict, or overwhelming life changes, Brain Focus exists to meet them where they are—with compassion, education, and practical tools.
In addition to my clinical and community work, I also use social media as a platform for outreach and education. Through my TikTok page, @Mara48575, I share guidance, encouragement, and mental-health-focused content aimed at supporting individuals who may not yet have access to therapy or who need immediate emotional grounding and understanding. This platform allows me to reach people where they are, offering hope, insight, and tools to help them take the next step forward.
Today, Brain Focus Counseling Agency and Cartas con Propósito represent two expressions of the same mission: helping people move forward when life has tried to stop them. My work is deeply personal because I have lived the fear, the isolation, and the uncertainty—but I have also lived resilience, growth, and transformation. What once felt like the darkest chapter of my life has become the foundation of my purpose: serving others with empathy, dignity, and hope.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
The road has not been smooth, and that reality is a large part of why my work is so deeply rooted in empathy and persistence.
One of the earliest challenges was starting over in a new country with no support system. I faced language barriers, cultural differences, and unfamiliar systems while trying to protect and provide for my children. Navigating housing insecurity, financial instability, and legal processes without guidance or fluency in English required constant resilience and adaptability.
Professionally, building both Cartas con Propósito and Brain Focus Counseling Agency came with significant challenges. Earning trust in communities that have often been underserved or overlooked takes time, consistency, and transparency. As a counselor, balancing ethical responsibility, emotional labor, and community advocacy has required clear boundaries and continual self-reflection.
Another ongoing challenge has been overcoming stigma—both around mental health and around asking for help. Many individuals, especially immigrants and trauma survivors, hesitate to seek support due to fear, shame, or lack of access. Creating safe, culturally responsive spaces where people feel understood has required patience and intentional outreach.
There were also personal challenges. Supporting others while continuing my own healing journey has required me to prioritize self-care, supervision, and emotional regulation. Learning when to pause, reflect, and seek support myself was not easy, but it was necessary to remain effective and grounded in my work.
Despite these obstacles, each challenge strengthened my commitment to this mission. The struggles shaped my perspective, sharpened my purpose, and reinforced my belief that healing and progress are possible—even when the path forward is unclear.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Brain Focus Counseling Agency / Cartas Con Proposito?
Brain Focus Counseling Agency and Cartas con Propósito are purpose-driven initiatives rooted in lived experience, cultural understanding, and compassionate care.
Brain Focus Counseling Agency specializes in supporting individuals experiencing mental health challenges, emotional distress, trauma, and major life transitions. The work focuses on emotional regulation, trauma-informed care, coping skills development, and helping clients better understand their thoughts, behaviors, and emotional responses. Rather than offering one-size-fits-all solutions, Brain Focus emphasizes meeting individuals where they are and tailoring support to their unique life experiences. The agency is known for its culturally responsive, bilingual (Spanish-English) approach and for creating safe, judgment-free spaces where clients feel seen, heard, and respected.
Cartas con Propósito was created to serve immigrants and individuals navigating oppression, systemic barriers, or life instability. The organization provides guidance, advocacy, and emotional support—helping people access resources, understand processes, and regain confidence as they move forward. Cartas con Propósito acts as a bridge between vulnerability and empowerment, particularly for those who may feel invisible or overwhelmed by unfamiliar systems.
What sets these initiatives apart is their foundation in lived experience. The work is not theoretical—it comes from personal survival, healing, and transformation. That perspective allows for a deeper level of empathy, trust, and cultural awareness that resonates strongly with the communities served.
In addition to direct services, outreach and education are central to the mission. Through the TikTok platform @Mara48575, mental health guidance, emotional support tools, and psychoeducational content are shared with a broader audience—especially individuals who may not yet have access to counseling or who need immediate encouragement and grounding.
Brand-wise, I am most proud of the trust that has been built. Brain Focus and Cartas con Propósito are known for integrity, compassion, and consistency. The brands represent safety, dignity, and hope—spaces where people are not rushed, judged, or “fixed,” but supported and empowered to understand themselves and their circumstances.
What I want readers to know most is that these organizations exist to remind people that they are not alone. Healing, clarity, and forward movement are possible—even after trauma, displacement, or hardship. Every service, offering, and piece of content is guided by the belief that with the right support, people can regain stability, confidence, and a sense of purpose in their lives.
Risk taking is a topic that people have widely differing views on – we’d love to hear your thoughts.
Risk-Taking
I don’t see myself as a risk-taker in the traditional sense. For me, risk has never been about chasing opportunity—it has been about choosing growth over fear when staying still was no longer an option.
One of the greatest risks I took was leaving Puerto Rico and starting over in the United States with my children, without a support system, without fluency in English, and without certainty about what would come next. That decision was not impulsive; it was a necessary act of protection and hope. Choosing safety, even when the future was unclear, taught me that some risks are actually acts of survival and responsibility.
Professionally, starting Cartas con Propósito and later Brain Focus Counseling Agency also involved significant risk. I invested time, energy, and emotional labor into serving communities that are often overlooked, knowing there were no guarantees of stability or recognition. Building trust, especially within immigrant and trauma-impacted communities, requires vulnerability, consistency, and patience. There were moments when growth felt slow and the uncertainty felt heavy, but I remained committed to the mission.
As a counselor, I approach risk with intention and ethics. I believe healthy risk-taking involves preparation, reflection, and accountability. It’s about knowing when to step forward and when to pause. I also believe that emotional risk—such as asking for help, setting boundaries, or choosing healing—can be just as transformative as professional or financial risk.
Today, my perspective on risk is shaped by experience. I don’t take risks to prove anything. I take them when they align with purpose, values, and long-term impact. Growth, healing, and meaningful change often require discomfort—but when approached with clarity and care, that discomfort becomes a doorway rather than a danger.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.brainfocushub.com
