http://www.transcendtherapyca.com/

Transform Therapy Inc, 4452 Park Boulevard, San Diego, CA (2026)

04/10/2026

“This book is not a manifesto. It’s not an argument. It’s an invitation to depoliticize our relationships, our workplaces, our lives. It’s a plea to strip political ideology from how we see one another……It’s also about belonging. About what it means to belong to a country, a profession, a culture ~ while also belonging to yourself.”

📙Excerpt from my book:

Two Suitcases and Dream
Complexity and Nuance in a Divided World
An immigrant story of pain, persistence,and patriotism
(p.17)

Available on Amazon 🌸❤️🙏

To learn more about book and purchase: https://cecilleahrens.com/book/

04/08/2026

SD VOYAGER: Cecille, how has your personal experience as an immigrant shaped the way you show up in your work as a psychotherapist and social worker?

CECILLE: Being a first-generation immigrant and a multinational has been an extraordinary gift to me — both as a human being and as a psychotherapist. It has allowed me to see the world in full color. Having lived in three countries has given me a deep appreciation for diverse cultures and customs. More importantly, it has exposed me to the impact that systems and policies have on people’s lives. Experiencing different social, political, and cultural landscapes firsthand has been extremely helpful in my role as a psychotherapist and social worker.

Lastly, being an immigrant has put many things into perspective for me. It has been a constant reminder of the subjectivity of suffering – how pain is shaped not only by individual circumstances, but also by context, culture, and environment. This awareness continues to inform both my humanity and my work, allowing me to meet others with greater humility, curiosity, and compassion.
Excerpt from my interview with SDVoyager regarding my book:

Two Suitcases and Dream ~ Complexity and Nuance in a Divided World: An immigrant story of pain, persistence,and patriotism

Available on Amazon 🌸❤️🙏

To learn more about book and purchase: https://cecilleahrens.com/book/

Click here for full article:
https://sdvoyager.com/choosing-nuance-in-a-binary-world/

03/25/2026

“So when I ask people to ‘be the change’, I don’t mean it as a slogan. I mean it as a way of life. Every act of respect, every choice for peace, every gesture of love, ripples outward. It might not change the whole world overnight, but it will change the room you are in. And that, multiplied thousands of times over, is how the world changes. “

💫🌟✨☄️🔥💫🌟✨☄️🔥

📙Excerpt from my new book:
Two Suitcases and Dream ~ Complexity and Nuance in a Divided World: An immigrant story of pain, persistence,and patriotism (p. 122). 📄📚📖👓

Available on Amazon 🌸❤️🙏

To learn more about book and purchase: https://cecilleahrens.com/book/

03/11/2026

“Healing is not a destination. It’s not a point you reach and declare yourself finished. It’s a cycle. A process. A spiral. A series of homecomings – to yourself, to your truth, to your strength. Writing this book reminded me that no matter how far we’ve come, we are still becoming. I’ve grown immensely over the years – in confidence, in voice, in boundaries, in faith. But that doesn’t mean the fear has disappeared. It still visits. It’s still questions me.

What will people think? Will this hurt my career? Will this hurt my family? Will someone twist my words into something I didn’t say? What am I willing to risk and why?

Those questions are real. The anxiety is real. Especially in a world as reactive as this one, where nuance is punished, and narratives are weaponized. I live in a very blue state – a place where, ironically, tolerance can sometimes be the first thing to disappear when you step outside the expected line. So yes, I’m afraid. So afraid, that I decided to step down for my role at the practice before speaking out – to protect not only myself, but my staff and clients.

But I’ve learned that the presence of fear doesn’t mean the absence of clarity. The fire inside me is now louder than the fear. And that’s the work. That’s the growth. Not to eliminate doubt – but to refuse to let it steer the ship. That’s the gift. This book gave me. The realization that even if the world isn’t ready for all of who I am ~ I am.

And I no longer need anyone’s permission to speak.

💫🌟✨☄️🔥💫🌟✨☄️🔥

📙Excerpt from my new book:
Two Suitcases and Dream ~ Complexity and Nuance in a Divided World: An immigrant story of pain, persistence,and patriotism (pp. 130-131). 📄

Available on Amazon & Kindle. 🌸❤️🙏

To learn more about book and purchase: https://cecilleahrens.com/book/

03/06/2026

4.8 Stars on Amazon 🌟💫😱, just over a month post-publication!!! Thank you so very very much to everyone ~ for the love ~ and for helping share my message of hope and love to the world! 🌎

P.S. I swear, don’t know these people whose reviews I featured! I wish I did ~ so that I can personally thank them. 🙏🙏🙏

If you have read my book, and was impacted in some small way, please share your thoughts by kindly writing a review on Amazon. 🫶

Two Suitcases and a Dream
Complexity and Nuance in a Divided World
An immigrant story of Pain, Persistence and Patriotism

To learn more about book and purchase: https://cecilleahrens.com/book/

03/04/2026

“Security can be seductive. Especially for people of color, for immigrants, for women – we’re often told to play it safe. To stay grateful. To not risk what others would dream of having. But safety that comes at the cost of authenticity is not safety – it’s suffocation. And when you’ve worked as hard as I have to understand yourself, to fight for your identity, to break generational patterns… You can’t afford to live in a cage, no matter how cushioned it is.

That moment was a pivotal point. I remembered why I had gone into this field in the first place – not to coast, not to collect a paycheck or company stocks, but to make a real and lasting impact.

To radically change lives.
To hold space for healing.
To be true to my core belief that a life of service is the best life.
Rewarding, effective, powerful service. And I’m so glad I leapt.

I dared to dream.

The money came, yes. But far more importantly, so did deep meaning and alignment. The sacredness of sitting across from another human being and watching them untangle their pain, watching them find their voice. The honor of being part of that. The privilege of helping someone break a cycle they thought was permanent.

That is what defines me – not the systems I left, not the labels I was given, not the expectations that tried to shape me. Not the color of my skin. What defines me is the choice I made to listen inward, to trust my path, and to stand in my truth, even when it meant standing alone.

I am not a demographic.
I am not a talking point.
I am not an identity for someone else to explain.

I am Cecille Ahrens.

And I get to define what that means.”

P.S. I owe so much of my strength and courage to my mother, who boldly modeled these qualities to me. ❤️

💫🌟✨☄️🔥💫🌟✨☄️🔥

📙Excerpt from my new book:
Two Suitcases and Dream ~ Complexity and Nuance in a Divided World: An immigrant story of pain, persistence,and patriotism (pp. 40-41)📄

Available on Amazon 🌸❤️🙏

To learn more about book and purchase: https://cecilleahrens.com/book/

02/26/2026

Thank You for the Feature 🙌, and for capturing the essence of my book by asking honest questions. I hope you all enjoy reading it, and I hope it leads you to want to to know more! Available on Amazon now. 💫🌟✨

https://a.co/d/04ksswPA

02/22/2026

Still processing this… 🤯

Top 10 Amazon Best Seller.
#7 in Trauma Psychology eBooks.
#15 in Trauma Psychology Books.

For at least one beautiful moment in time —
I’m officially a Top 10 Best-Selling Author.

Thank you for making this possible. Truly. 🫶🏼🫶🏼🫶🏼

https://cecilleahrens.com/book/

02/22/2026

Still processing this… 🤯

Top 10 Amazon Best Seller.
#7 in Trauma Psychology eBooks.
#15 in Trauma Psychology Books.

For at least one beautiful moment in time —
I’m officially a Top 10 Best-Selling Author.

Thank you for making this possible. Truly. 🙏

02/22/2026

Save the date, March 8, 2026 — International Women’s Day Special Event

The Dr. José Rizal Legacy International Foundation brings together five extraordinary, accomplished Filipina women—authors and changemakers—in one inspiring space to celebrate International Women’s Day on March 8, 2026, at 7:00 AM (CST) via Zoom with Live FB streaming, featuring the discussion topic “Women Advocacy and Empowerment.”

I join this powerful gathering that will showcase the voices and journeys of remarkable women authors:

1. Elaine Bordeaux — Host & Author of Change Your Mind, Change Your Life
2. Cecille Ahrens — Author of Two Suitcases and a Dream
3. Donna Avella Künzler — Author of The Overseas Fabulous Pinay
4. Dr. Riza Rasco — Author of The World Is My Mirror
5. Dr. Michelle Mras — Author of Faith in Motion (highlighted book).

Join us for a meaningful conversation on leadership, resilience, purpose, and the transformative power of women’s voices across the world.

This International Women’s Day celebration will uplift, inspire, and empower women across generations and communities.

✨ Save the date and be part of this historic gathering of visionary women. ✨

Las Damas De Rizal Philippines Dr. José Rizal Legacy International Foundation Arlene B Strugar Cecille Ahrens Michelle Mras Donna Avellana Künzler Riza Rasco Polly Cortez

WomenSupportingWomen ❤️❤️❤️

02/19/2026

March 8 is a significant day for women around the world. In celebration of International Women’s Day, the Dr. José Rizal Legacy International Foundation is proud to host its first online International Women’s Forum on Women Advocacy and Empowerment on March 8, 2026 at 7 am central standard time.

Let us get to know one of our distinguished guest participants — Who is Cecille Ahrens?

A talented mental health expert, entrepreneur, former radio host and nonprofit executive, Ms. Ahrens’ diverse career has span over 26 years fulfilling various positions and serving people from all walks of life.

Ms. Ahrens provides professional coaching, organizational support, corporate training and keynote speaking engagements.

Ms. Ahrens also recently published a book entitled: “Two Suitcases and a Dream – Complexity and Nuance in a Divided World: An immigrant story of Pain, Persistence and Patriotism”.

An expert in trauma recovery, Ms. Ahrens bears extensive expertise in working with those suffering from posttraumatic stress disorder, depressive disorders and anxiety disorders. Ms. Ahrens is passionate about working to de-stigmatize mental health and disrupt current attitudes and approaches to treating mental health disorders.

As an extension of her passion and work, Ms. Ahrens established Papillon Wellness, Inc. in 2020, a nonprofit organization aimed at serving the uninsured, underinsured and middle income adults who often fall between the cracks of mental health care.

Ms. Ahrens is the creator and host of Get Mental Radio, which was aired locally in San Diego, and is now a Podcast. Get Mental was created as a result of the deep pain and anger she felt following the emergence of the epidemic of school shootings in America.

Well regarded for her accomplishments, Ms. Ahrens has been featured in a multitude of professional publications, including USA Today, Vogue, PBS NewsHour, Parents, Business Insider, YahooLife to name a few. She has also been a guest at several radio shows and podcasts including The Answer San Diego, K-Praise and The Scope of Practice among many others.

Transform Therapy Inc

04/10/2026

04/08/2026

03/25/2026

03/11/2026

03/06/2026

03/04/2026

02/26/2026

02/22/2026

02/22/2026

02/22/2026

02/19/2026

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