First of all, Welcome!

I am Esmeralda Cardenas, LPC, PMH-C, owner and therapist at Willow Path Collective.

I understand how heavy life can feel when you’re trying to hold it all together. You may look like you’re managing just fine, but inside you’re overwhelmed, anxious, or stuck in patterns that don’t feel like you. You don’t have to keep pushing through alone.

I strive to make Willow Path Collective a welcoming, growth-oriented space for mothers navigating the complexities of motherhood — whether that’s during pregnancy, postpartum, or the ever-evolving parenting stages where worry, guilt, and fear often surface. Many mothers come here feeling weighed down by the pressure to “get it right,” afraid of causing harm while carrying the weight of their own unhealed experiences. My goal is to help them find grace, balance, and a renewed sense of confidence as they nurture both themselves and their families.

As a mother myself, I know the realities of postpartum depression and anxiety firsthand. I walked through seasons of smiling on the outside while quietly battling fear, exhaustion, and self-doubt. That experience not only shaped me personally but also deepened my calling to support mothers so they don’t have to walk through similar struggles alone.

With over 12 years of counseling experience and specialized training in perinatal mental health (PMH-C), trauma-informed care, and evidence-based therapies such as CBT, DBT, ACT, and CPT, I bring both professional expertise and personal understanding into the therapy room.

At Willow Path Collective, you’ll find support that is compassionate, practical, and faith-integrated. I offer Christ-centered counseling for those who desire it—I will spend time understanding this and meeting you where you are and with what you need. My goal is to help you feel more connected, confident, and at peace in your daily life as a mother—living in your purpose and guided by your values.