Alumni Spotlight

Ivan Navarro ’16G

Lead Clinician at Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Galveston–Houston in Texas

DRIVEN TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE

Ivan Navarro, Class of 2016, is the Lead Clinician at Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Galveston–Houston in Texas, where he oversees the youth mental health program. He leads a team of mental health counselors that provide services for underage immigrants, a population that is often vulnerable to trauma. “Seeing clients overcome their trauma is what drives me in my career,” he shares. “Most of the clients that I work with have been emotionally wounded by their traumas, so I work to give them the tools needed to help heal those wounds.” Ivan also makes a major impact in his community by participating in a service program that offers free counseling to those in need. “Knowing that there are people who need mental health counseling but are financially unable to pay for these services motivates me to be part of this program.” In addition to volunteering in his community, Ivan has hosted a radio show about mental illness, and has led initiatives to continue his work virtually since the start of the pandemic.

Education: B.A. Communications, University of Saint Thomas; B. Div. Theology, Pontifical Gregorian University; M.A. Mental Health Counseling, Rivier University