Merlyn Cruz-Feliciano’s story weaves a vibrant thread from the sun-soaked streets of Acapulco, Guerrero, Mexico, to the counseling rooms of Palomar Family Counseling Services (PFCS). Born in Mexico, she migrated to the U.S. in 1989, growing up between Valley Center and Escondido, CA. Now, as an MFT intern set to graduate with her master’s in clinical counseling from Point Loma Nazarene University in December 2025, Merlyn’s path—from soldier to therapist—is a testament to resilience and a fierce commitment to her roots.
A Life Forged in Service
Merlyn’s journey is etched with grit. After graduating from Escondido High School, she enlisted in the U.S. Army, serving from 2002 to 2016. Those years shaped her, revealing the raw weight of mental health struggles among soldiers and beyond. Post-military, she earned degrees from Palomar College and Cal State San Marcos (May 2020), but it was her lived experience—spanning cultures and continents—that steered her toward counseling. For Merlyn, mental health isn’t abstract; it’s personal, cultural, and urgent.
A Calling to Break Barriers
Her inspiration runs deep. The Army taught her that strength isn’t silent suffering—it’s seeking help. Coupled with her Latino heritage, where mental health often hides behind stigma, she saw a mission: make therapy accessible, flip weakness into courage, and serve her community. At PFCS, she’s doing just that, offering a bilingual bridge to healing for Spanish speakers and beyond.
Thriving at PFCS
Merlyn chose PFCS to give back to the community that raised her—and to leverage her Spanish fluency where it’s needed most. She lights up working with kids at local schools, forging connections that stick. Her clinical clients, whether English- or Spanish-speaking, fuel her too. “Being able to connect and help them is so rewarding,” she says. Every session is a chance to listen, heal, and honor her roots.
A Future of Impact
Merlyn’s goals are bold yet grounded: serve her Latino and veteran communities with therapy in Spanish, support military members, and work with individuals, couples, and families. Above all, she’s here to dismantle stigma—educating, advocating, and proving mental health care is a right, not a luxury. She’s not just chasing licensure; she’s building a legacy of care.
A Voice for the Voiceless
From Acapulco to the Army to PFCS, Merlyn Cruz-Feliciano isn’t just an intern—she’s a force. Blending soldier’s resolve with cultural pride, she’s rewriting what strength looks like, one client at a time. Her story’s still unfolding, and it’s one her community won’t soon forget.
Palomar Family Counseling Service offers a dynamic Therapist Trainee Program designed to support the next generation of mental health professionals in San Diego. This program provides graduate students with hands-on clinical experience, working with diverse populations across individual, family, and group settings. Trainees benefit from comprehensive supervision by licensed professionals, ample opportunities to meet practicum hour requirements, and a supportive community that fosters professional growth. As an approved practicum site for numerous universities, PFCS collaborates with both traditional and online academic programs, ensuring trainees receive the practical training needed to excel in their counseling careers while serving the North San Diego County community.