From Island Dreams to Global Impact
About Me
My name is Gabriela – a spirited, loving grown-up girl from a small town in Puerto Rico, and my dream has always been to become an international healer. Although when I was 8, the term healer felt more intense than anything I could’ve expressed back then, I’ve always carried my own internal medicine close to my heart.
The 'international' part came a bit later, but as a very dreamy kid, I imagined my life playing out to the soundtrack of Spanish bands, Latin ballads, and even the odd Australian indie tracks and some British pop music. Between those lines, I always knew that staying on my island wasn’t going to be enough for me.
Eventually, life's tough but necessary experiences led me to psychology – the art of understanding the mind and the human heart. But like many aspiring therapists, I felt a bit lost at first. The path seemed daunting, full of strict protocols and rigid expectations, and I wasn’t sure where or how to start. But I chose to follow that inner calling, trusting that my curiosity and desire to make a difference would guide me.
When I moved to Europe, my journey took a transformative turn. I discovered a whole new side of myself – one that valued not just the science of the mind, but also the holistic, deeply human side of healing. I realised that the answers I sought weren’t just in the textbooks but also in the quiet moments of reflection, the rhythms of the natural world, and the profound connections we form with ourselves and others.
From this passion, my life vision was born. Since then, I’ve created communities like Eteria Circle in Barcelona – a project where I guide others toward self-discovery, healing, and authentic connection. Today, I find myself fulfilling that 8y/o’s prophecy of living an international life between the places I love the most, reaching divergent crowds through psychology and a mix of holistic tools like astrology and my therapeutic focus, such as ACT therapy.
Day in My Life as a Holistic Therapist
Most days, you’ll find me in the heart of Barcelona, balancing my time between nurturing my first wave of international clients – from Greece, Puerto Rico, Barcelona, the U.S., and England – and co-creating the Eteria community. My mornings are usually reserved for grounding – a mix of stretching and yoga, journaling, and breathwork to centre myself, though some days are a bit more rushed than others.
Afternoons are for deep, transformative conversations with clients, where I blend psychological tools, astrology, and mindfulness to guide them through their own self-discovery. It’s in these moments that I witness the beauty of human transformation, the small but profound shifts that make this work so meaningful.
Evenings are for long walks with my partner, a spontaneous game of ping pong, and exploring my newfound love language – cooking. Some nights, I indulge in insightful podcasts, always on the lookout for that feeling of being seen through the words of others who share my spiritual wavelength. Living between worlds – both geographically and philosophically – has become my way of staying connected to the dreams that brought me here. It’s a life of constant learning, meaningful connections, and small, sacred rituals that keep my heart full and my path clear.
Thank You
Now, through SoulAdvisor, I am excited to connect with a whole new community of seekers and explorers. If you’re ready to dive deep, connect authentically, and discover the fullness of your inner world, I’d love to meet you.
If you’ve made it this far, thank you for taking the time to get to know a bit about who I am and what I hope to share with the world. I’d like to leave you with a short thought exercise – a gentle nudge to reconnect with that part of yourself that sometimes gets drowned out by the noise of everyday life, that inner voice, your own medicine, guiding you toward a life that feels truly fulfilling.
Take a moment to reflect on the version of you who once dreamed without limitations – the one who had wildly imaginative ideas about the future, even if they felt too bold to say out loud. What was that intuitive vision of who you wanted to become? Maybe it felt like a prophecy, or perhaps just a whisper of a life that felt both exciting and impossible.
And if that memory feels distant, or if it's a dream that you no longer desire, try this instead – think about something your present self is quietly hoping for in the future, even if it feels too intense or out of reach, just like the word healer once felt for me. Now, imagine you could sit down for a conversation with your future self, 5 or 10 years from now. What’s the one burning question you’d want to ask them? What guidance or reassurance would you hope to hear that would convince you to take the step towards it?
Have a pause – And finally, can you find a thread or answer that connects that vision to the life you’re building today?
Gabriela Ayala is a mental health professional specialising in emotional regulation, mindfulness-based therapies, and holistic self-discovery. With a background in psychology and certifications in clinical psychoanalysis, third-wave CBT, and medical astrology, she integrates evidence-based approaches like Emotion Regulation Therapy (ERT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) to help clients navigate life transitions and deepen self-awareness.
Disclaimer: This Content has been developed from our generous global community and is intended for informational purposes only. This Content is not, nor is it intended to be, a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment and should never be relied upon. Further, the personal views and experiences published are expressly those of the author, and do not represent the views or endorsement of SoulAdvisor through the act of publication on our site.
