Only a few days back at work after maternity leave, Camila Angelica Pulgar, PhD, NCC, LCMHC, is adjusting to life as a mom of two: Sofia, who is 2 years old, and 3-month-old Victor.

“My heart expanded and exploded when I had my second [child]. A lot of people told me that, you know, my life is going to change, and when you have your second, your heart is going to expand. It wasn't until it happened that I realized that it was more like a heart explosion than an expansion, you know?” she says.

Dr. Pulgar is an Assistant Professor at Wake University School of Medicine and the owner of Salud Mental Health, PLLC. She is also an NBCCF Minority Fellowship Program alumna and received the 2025 NBCC Servant Leadership Award.

Though Dr. Pulgar became a Counselor before becoming a mother, her approach to the profession changed with motherhood.

“Before I became a mother, I used to say ‘yes’ to everything. I used to be on so many boards, on so many different projects. I volunteered; I wanted my practice to grow and to do all these things. But when you become a mother, there is this little person that you're fully responsible for,” she explains.

Though parenthood is challenging, Dr. Pulgar shares that Counselors must be intentional about shifting their priorities. Parenthood looks different for everyone, and it may be difficult for someone to plan until they experience that stage of life. Dr. Pulgar finds balance with her family by being intentional about her time with them and being open to change. She sets clear boundaries by stopping work at 5 pm and not working on weekends.

Starting a family is life-changing, and in the beginning, rest may feel impossible. Dr. Pulgar encourages other Counselors to lean on their support systems and prioritize time to rest.

“As a mother, you don’t get enough sleep. And so the sleep that you do get, it has to work . . . being able to prioritize your sleep as much as you can. And if not, find other ways for rest,” she says.

As parents navigating this new normal, Counselors gain valuable lived experience to serve clients. Dr. Pulgar struggled with fertility issues for 3 years before becoming pregnant with Sofia.

“I have never been so afraid and sad in my life trying to get pregnant,” she shares. “It's one of those things that until it hasn't happened to you, you don't really understand the impact that it can have in your life. I cannot emphasize enough the challenges that it comes with, and those challenges are going to show up different for everybody.”

Sometimes clients seek counseling for fertility issues, pregnancy, or other family-related factors. Dr. Pulgar says that as a mother, she can identify with certain clients and have a more thorough understanding of their experiences.

“You have a personal connection as to the emotional growth someone goes through when they become a mother,” Dr. Pulgar says.

Camila Angelica Pulgar, PhD, NCC, LCMHC, is an Assistant Professor at Wake Forest University School of Medicine. She is the owner of Salud Mental Health PLLC, which focuses on providing mental health resources to Latinx communities. Dr. Pulgar earned her Doctor of Philosophy in Counseling and Counselor Education from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro in 2021.