Nelida Medina is a first-generation, Mexican American, Licensed Clinical Social Worker who resides in Tyler, TX. Mrs. Medina holds a Bachelors and Masters degree in Social Work from Stephen F. Austin State University and is a Doctoral Candidate for Social Work at the University of Kentucky in Lexington, Kentucky. She is the owner and lead therapist of Purple Crayon Bilingual Counseling Services. A unique and trailblazing practice that serves Medicaid and low-income children and adolescents in Spanish. She acknowledges the complexities and uniqueness of Latinos experiences in the United States and their home countries. Mrs. Medina specializes in working with diagnosis that includes trauma, ADHD, depression, and anxiety. She works closely with community members to advocate for systemic changes for Latinos in mental health and the education system.
Mrs. Medina is passionate about educating parents on different educational policies such as 504 plans and special education policies as part of her work. Mrs. Medina’s research interest includes Latino studies, Latino education, and child and youth mental health. Her doctoral capstone research seeks to address the problem of high dropout rates of Latino students in the state of Texas. She proposes to educate Latino parents in Spanish on local school policy to empower them to advocate for their students. Mrs. Medina has presented at different conferences and organizations across Texas on the topics of Latino mental health and Latino education. Mrs. Medina is routinely asked to participate in local media coverage on the topics of children, adolescents, and Latino mental health.