Maria “Mica” Salazar Istre, LPC, NCC, CFRC, founded Tree of Life Counseling & Consulting with a vision—to provide high-quality, evidence-based mental health services tailored to the unique needs of marginalized communities in Acadiana. As a multicultural counseling practice, Tree of Life is committed to bridging the gap for BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, immigrant, and other underrepresented individuals seeking healing and growth.
Since opening in 2021, Tree of Life Counseling has flourished, offering specialized therapy approaches such as Trauma-Focused Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Eye Movement Desensitization & Reprocessing (EMDR), Play Therapy, and more. The practice also provides bilingual counseling services in Spanish, Arabic, and Hindi, ensuring accessibility for diverse populations.
Mica’s expertise in trauma recovery, mental health evaluations for immigration cases, and first responder counseling has positioned Tree of Life as a vital resource in the region. Her leadership and dedication have helped hundreds of individuals and families navigate mental health challenges, empowering them to heal and thrive.
Support Through the Small & Minority Business Program
One Acadiana’s Small & Minority Business Support program was able to provide information and resources to Maria
about about various woman-owned business certifications and connected her to organizations to assist in obtaining them.