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Juan E. Rosario Jr., Psy.D. (B.A. ’16 Justice Studies), hasn’t only studied clinical psychology, he’s using his knowledge to offer treatment and foster a better understanding of its importance.

“Mental health pretty much sets the stage for everything,” Dr. Rosario said. “It's the foundation, it's the bedrock. For example, if you wake up one morning and you feel a little grumpy or you don't feel like yourself, unfortunately, that's going to impact what the rest of the day might feel like or look like for you. So, being able to feel attuned to your emotions and understand your emotions really carves out a cleaner path for you to feel successful, not just day to day, but really hit your goals, whether they be short or long term.”

Dr. Rosario was born in Puerto Rico. His family moved to Chicago when he was 2-years-old. He graduated from Lane Tech High School and is one of five children. After completing his undergraduate degree at Northeastern, he went on to earn his Master of Arts in Clinical Psychology and doctorate in Clinical Psychology from William James College in Newton, Massachusetts. He views his work in mental health as a pursuit of justice.

“I fell in love with the Justice Studies department and all they had to offer, particularly learning about the injustices that happen at a microscale, and then at a macroscale.” Dr. Rosario said. “That resonated with me and pretty much set the stage for pursuing clinical psychology. Now I find myself working with populations that otherwise would not have access to mental health, be it because they can't afford it or they don't have a clinician that speaks Spanish or a clinician that understands them from a multicultural standpoint and understands the injustices that they've suffered over time.”

Dr. Rosario chose to attend Northeastern because it was close to home and felt it was the best option for him and his family. He also appreciated that he could take courses in both Justice Studies and Psychology and be surrounded by a diverse student body. One of his most influential teachers was Senior Instructor of Psychology Naida Silverthorn, Ph.D.

“Dr. Silverthorn is an excellent professor and lecturer,” Dr. Rosario said. “I was always on the edge of my seat, you know, kind of wanting more from her when it comes to the topics that she would teach and talk about. Her passion and teaching is what really contributed and kept me motivated to get through the doctoral application process.”

Dr. Silverthorn shared that it was through her course on Child Development — one of her smaller, more interactive classes — that they got to know each other better.

“Juan was one of my most engaged and intellectually curious students,” Dr. Silverthorn said. “He frequently came to meet with me during office hours to talk about his future academic and professional plans. He was always very clear that he wanted to combine professional training in psychology with prioritizing work with people from marginalized communities. Having seen the work that he is doing now, I am so thrilled for him that his goals are coming to fruition, and I am not surprised that he is finding success in this kind of work.”  

In 2021, Dr. Rosario co-founded (Latino and Healthy), a nonprofit organization in Rhode Island that provides mental health resources and education to dismantle the stigma around mental health in the Latinx diaspora.

“I do think that there is still some stigma attached to mental health services and it's still taboo in the Latino community,” Dr. Rosario said. “Many believe that mental health services are for when someone has hit this threshold of severe depression or post-traumatic stress disorder, which isn’t the case. Mental health is a spectrum and you don't need to be or feel fully impaired to access the services.”

Dr. Rosario noted that people access mental health resources for a wide variety of reasons including struggling with a breakup, coping with trauma, being the first person in a family to earn a college degree, generally feeling like you’re in a rut or feeling isolated, which has been more prevalent since the COVID-19 pandemic. The process of finding a mental health resource or a practitioner — let alone the “right” one to help someone heal in a way they feel comfortable with — is a very personal experience and differs for everyone.

“Finding the right psychotherapist is almost like dating,” Dr. Rosario said. “What a psychotherapist is offering might not be a good fit for you and that's okay. As a patient, you might not know exactly what you need or what you’re looking for. A psychotherapist might not know if they’re the right fit because the referral or issue you're struggling with might be bigger than you or they initially thought and, again, that's okay too. So, like dating, trying out different psychotherapists is the best solution. That way you find the right one that fits your current need.”

Dr. Rosario is currently pursuing a postdoctoral fellowship in clinical neuropsychology, a subspecialty in clinical psychology that utilizes qualitative data (such as psychological observations and school and/or family reports) and quantitative data (such as measured brain or behavior functioning through testing) to make an accurate diagnosis. In addition to his work with Latino y Sano, Dr. Rosario is part of a group practice and is the Founder and CEO of , a team of experts who specialize in coaching, marketing and branding to help people become and promote their best selves. He’s excited to have more diverse populations learning about and engaging with psychology — both as patients and practitioners.

“I think there's value in having mentors and someone that can guide you in terms of all of the steps that are involved in the college application process, the finances behind it, the career trajectories that are possible,” Dr. Rosario said. “That's some of the work that I provide and do at my nonprofit and my coaching company. By educating diverse trainees, and helping those who want to pursue the field of neuropsychology, I feel I’m contributing to the field.”

Tips for good mental health

Dr. Rosario had several tips to maintain good mental health:

• Eat nutritious foods: Sugar and processed foods can trigger anxiety and depression. Certain foods — like dark green leafy vegetables, fresh fruit and foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids — can support brain function.
• Exercise: Physical activity can improve mental health. A membership to Campus Recreation is included in student tuition and fees. Employees and community members can access Campus Recreation for a fee.
• Get quality sleep: The recommends that adults get at least seven hours of sleep per night.
• Spend time with others: Connecting with family and friends combats feelings of isolation. Northeastern regularly hosts free and low-cost events that are open to the public. Additionally, the University hosts Activity Hour on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3:05-4:05 p.m. when no classes are scheduled so students can participate in clubs and activities. Student Leadership Development (SLD) offers more than 70 student organizations ranging from academic and pre-professional groups to Greek life and student media.
• Reach out when you need help: Utilize support systems available to you. At Northeastern, students can access Student Counseling Services and TimelyCare, a 24/7 mental health and well-being platform. Employees can utilize the Employee Assistance Program. 
   

Top photo: Dr. Juan E. Rosario Jr.