Supporting Healing and Belonging: An Interview with RMWC’s Clinical Director, Viviana Vethencourt

By Vanessa Candito

When the Rocky Mountain Welcome Center (RMWC) launched its Mental Health Department in 2025, it marked a milestone in the organization’s mission to support immigrant and refugee families in every part of their journeys. At the heart of that new initiative is Viviana Vethencourt, RMWC’s first Clinical Director, whose warmth and dedication have helped turn an ambitious idea into a thriving community resource. 

Viviana brings more than twenty years of experience as a licensed professional counselor and executive coach, with a background in trauma therapy, leadership coaching, and organizational development. Before joining RMWC, she served as Clinical Manager for Women’s Emergency Shelters at Catholic Charities of Denver and founded The Strive Company, where she continues to offer therapy and coaching. Her career has always centered on helping others heal, grow, and lead with compassion especially women, immigrants, and underserved communities. 

“I was drawn to RMWC’s mission of meeting immigrant and refugee families where they are, both physically and emotionally,” Viviana reflected. “When I joined, we were in the process of building a department from the ground up. It was both a challenge and a gift, an opportunity to create a space where mental health services could be offered in a culturally relevant, accessible way.” 

From the beginning, Viviana knew that accessibility would be key. Many of the individuals and families RMWC serves face barriers far beyond emotional ones limited resources, transportation challenges, and the daily pressure of meeting basic needs like housing, food, and safety. “Mental health often ends up on the back burner, even though the need is so great,” she said. “We’re constantly adapting and finding ways to reach people where they are.” 

That philosophy has guided much of her work over the past year. Instead of expecting clients to come to a clinic, Viviana and her team have been going into schools, community centers, and partner organizations places where people already feel safe. “We want mental health to be a natural part of the support system they already trust,” she explained. 

Creating an accessible program also meant navigating practical hurdles, including the complex process of Medicaid reimbursement. “We received approval so that clients can pay through Medicaid, but it’s a long and complicated process,” Viviana said. “Even after approval, it takes months to plan and receive reimbursements. It’s been a major challenge but an important step toward making our services sustainable.” 

Despite those challenges, Viviana remains deeply optimistic about the future. She envisions a program that continues to grow through collaboration and outreach. “We should keep building community partnerships and offering workshops, groups, and talks that integrate mental health 

and well-being into everyday life,” she said. “These connections help us reach more people and make mental health resources more visible and approachable.” 

When asked what brings her the most joy, her answer comes easily. “It’s the people,” she said with a smile. “Interacting with clients and seeing how much energy everyone puts into supporting the community it’s inspiring. Staff, volunteers, clients, everyone is so dedicated to helping each other thrive.” 

Reflecting on her first year at RMWC, Viviana acknowledges the obstacles but focuses on what truly matters. “This year has had its share of challenges, not because of our clients or the work itself, but because we’re building a new program in a complex climate,” she said. “Still, I believe that if what I do helps even one person, it’s enough. And we’ve helped many more than one, which makes me very happy.”