The Art of Leadership

In Conversation with Yolanda Renteria

In this installment of In Conversation: The Art of Leadership, we are speaking with Yolanda Renteria, Licensed Professional Counselor, Trauma Therapist, Somatic Experiencing Practitioner, and author of Attuned and Attached.

Yolanda works at the intersection of the body, attachment, and relationship, helping people understand what is actually running underneath the patterns they keep finding themselves in. Through her counseling practice at Latibule Counseling in Yuma, Arizona, and her coaching work through Yolanda Renteria, PLLC, she supports clients in regulating their nervous systems, connecting more safely to their emotions, and building relationships that finally feel fulfilling.

The Art of Leadership series highlights entrepreneurs, executives, and community leaders shaping the culture of business in Tucson and beyond. Each conversation offers a look at the experiences, philosophies, and leadership lessons that guide how they show up for their teams and communities.

Below, Yolanda shares more about her work, what drew her deeper into the world of somatics and trauma, and what leadership has quietly required of her along the way. Please pick up her book; the link is below.

The Leader & Business Behind the Work

Jessica: Tell us about your business. What do you do?

Yolanda: I am a Licensed Professional Counselor, Trauma Therapist, and Somatic Experiencing Practitioner trained in EMDR, Somatic Experiencing, and Brainspotting.

I provide counseling sessions at Latibule Counseling in Yuma, Arizona, and somatic healing and coaching sessions through Yolanda Renteria, PLLC for clients who would like to work with me outside of Arizona, including internationally.

Jessica: What does your company do?

Yolanda: I offer coaching services at Yolanda Renteria, PLLC to help people regulate their nervous system and experience healthier relationships. I'm highly trained in somatic and trauma work.

Besides my training in well-known somatic modalities, I've also done extensive training in attachment, including DARe with Diane Poole Heller, Equine Assisted Somatic Experiential (EASE) with Barbara Collier, Somatic Touch Skills with Kathy Kain, and I've assisted at retreats for Peter Levine.

My education, experience, and expertise have been extremely helpful in supporting clients in being more present, connecting to their softness, and experience fulfilling relationships.

Jessica: What inspired you to create your business? Is there anything about the clients you serve that you were drawn to, or anything about the impact you'd like to share?

Yolanda: I have been a therapist for years, but my curiosity and desire to learn how to be a better therapist led me to discover the trauma world and the field of somatics.

I realized early on that talking to people was just not enough in some cases, and becoming trained in different modalities made me realize how much deeper the healing could be when working with attachment and helping people connect to their emotions safely.

The more work I do with clients and the more I learn, the more I realize just how powerful this work really is in helping people truly heal.

"The more work I do with clients and the more I learn, the more I realize just how powerful this work really is in helping people truly heal."

-Yolanda Renteria

Jessica: What is a myth about your business or industry that you wish would change?

Yolanda: That we don't really care, that we are just there for our clients because we get paid.

Most of us that go into the helping professions do so because it feels like a calling, and supporting others feels very purposeful.

Jessica: What is something people might be surprised to learn about you?

Yolanda: Clients often don't know I wrote a book on relationships!

It's called Attuned and Attached... and that what led me to write the book was my own experiences in healing those parts of me that impacted how I showed up in relationships.

"I think often times we are waiting for the right time and the perfect way to do things and the best things happen when you just do the thing without overthinking it or overcomplicating it.

Embrace imperfection."

-Yolanda Renteria

Jessica: What would you say is the main thing that has helped you grow in your business?

Yolanda: If I'm very honest, I haven't focused on growing or promoting my business (which I maybe should! lol).

I do contract work at community mental health, which I LOVE, and I just work with people who reach out to me.

I think what has kept me energetically open is the knowing that my work is good and that I'm helping people change their lives, and an inner knowing that the right opportunities and people always seem to find me.

Jessica: If you started your business over today, what would you focus on first?

Yolanda: It would honestly just be to do the thing.

I think often times we are waiting for the right time and the perfect way to do things and the best things happen when you just do the thing without overthinking it or overcomplicating it.

Embrace imperfection.

Jessica: What has leadership required of you that most people don’t see?

Yolanda: Vulnerability and working through my self-doubt, as a very sensitive and anxious person.

Jessica: What’s the best piece of business advice you’ve ever been given?

Yolanda: What you offer is not for everyone.

Focus on your target audience and it's okay if other people don't get it.

If they are not aligned with your mission or find value in your product, their opinion doesn't matter.

Jessica: Do you have a favorite mantra?

Yolana: You don't need to be perfect, you just need to be persistent.

Jessica: When you think about leadership and community, what does it mean to you?

Yolanda: Supporting and uplifting each other, as a BIPOC woman, to me uplifting women's work and the work of underrepresented communities is very important.

I truly believe it helps push back against system issues we face.

Jessica: What possibility are you trying to create through your work?

Yolanda:That people become aware of what impacts their ability to feel safe and connect in relationships so they can break cycles and enjoy their relationships with everyone around them.

Jessica: If you could go back, what is one piece of advice you would offer your younger self?

Yolanda: To recognize that people projected their pain by putting her down, and to not listen to them.

That she was actually a very beautiful soul and to trust her creativity and imagination because it was magical.

Jessica: Are there books that you'd recommend to people in your niche or books that you just generally love?

Yolanda: Healing Your Attachment Wounds by Diane Poole Heller and anything by Gabor Mate and Jorge Bucay (mostly for Spanish speakers).

Jessica: What was the best piece of advice you were ever given, that really impacted how you show up or do business?

Yolanda: I learned somewhere that the scariest part is when you do something new that you never imagined was possible.

That first step is the hardest. But everything is solvable, so whatever happens in the journey, you will figure it out once you are there... and the hiccups are not usually as big in real life as they are in your mind.

Experience has proven this to be true.

Jessica: Where can people connect with you?

Yolanda: Instagram is @thisisyolandarenteria, and my book, Attuned and Attached Purchase it here: https://www.yolandarenteria.com/attuned-and-attached-understanding-emotional-disconnection.

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Behind the Images

Leadership is not only expressed in the way someone guides others. It’s also reflected in how they choose to be seen.

As part of the Art of Leadership series, Yolanda also participated in a personal brand session with Jessica Korff Studios, creating imagery that reflects the presence and philosophy she brings into her work.

Below, she shares a bit about that experience.

Jessica: What was your biggest challenge prior to doing a brand shoot?

Yolanda: Just feeling comfortable since I don't feel comfortable with photoshoots, but Jessica made the experience feel very natural!

Jessica: What changed after getting your images?

Yolanda: I loved the pictures!

Jessica: What would you say to someone considering a session with Jessica Korff Studios?

Yolanda: To book it if they feel want quality pictures that they actually like.

Jessica: Anything else you'd like to add about your experience?

Yolanda: Jessica was very professional and made you feel really relaxed and taken care of.

Connect with Yolanda Renteria

Instagram

https://www.instagram.com/thisisyolandarenteria/

Website
https://www.yolandarenteria.com/

Email
yolandarenterialpc@gmail

Order her book:

https://www.yolandarenteria.com/attuned-and-attached-understanding-emotional-disconnection

Filed Under:
Leadership • Tucson Business Leaders • Executive Coaching • Conscious Leadership