From Intern to Full-Time Team Member

Mike Landeros’s journey into Mental Health therapy hasn’t been typical. After nearly 20 years in tech project management, he made a bold career pivot into the field and hasn’t looked back. He joined us as an intern in September 2024 and transitioned to a full-time Clinician role after graduating with his master’s from Santa Clara University in June 2025.

A Non-Traditional Path

Mike spent the better part of two decades working in tech, but the idea of doing something more aligned with his strengths and values had always been in the back of his mind. When COVID-19 hit, his calling to help others became stronger. With the support of his partner and a clear sense of purpose, he decided to go back to school, a decision that would change everything.

What Drew Him to the Field

Mike’s interest in the mental health and developmental disabilities field actually grew out of his time in tech. He noticed that some of his interactions with colleagues felt off, and when he later learned more about developmental disabilities, things clicked. “Having that exposure made me want to be better as an individual,” he shared. That experience didn’t just inform his career change, it gave him a genuine passion for the population he now serves.

Finding His Way to Hope

Mike found the internship through an internship fair hosted by his school in early February. With around 50 agencies represented, it was a valuable opportunity and one not every program offers. For Mike, Hope stood out as the right fit.

What the Internship Looked Like

Drawing on his background as a professional career-coach, Mike hit the ground running. A typical day included seeing clients via telehealth, conducting intake assessments for new clients, identifying diagnoses, and providing referrals. He also facilitated Spanish-speaking parent groups and participated in clinical meetings, all while balancing a full course load and life at home with his two young kids, now ages 2 and 5.

His clinical focus centered on Emotion-Focused Therapy, helping clients dig deeper to connect with their primary emotions and understand the relationship between their feelings and behavior. Working with parents became a particular strength, and he found great value in leaning on his supervisors’ perspectives to refine his approach for different populations.

Finding Balance

Balancing an internship, graduate school, and family life is no small feat. Mike credits effective communication, clear prioritization, and staying grounded in his own values for keeping it all together. “I carved out what I needed and stayed driven by what mattered most to me,” he said.

The Decision to Stay

Hope’s alignment with his personal values, the autonomy to navigate his own schedule, the flexibility of the role, and the population he was working with all reinforced that this was the right place.

Advice for Future Interns

Mike’s advice for anyone looking to intern at Hope: network intentionally, find connections with people who already work here, and bring something that sets you apart. For him, that meant being bilingual and offering Spanish-speaking services, knowing which clinical modalities resonated with him, and leaning into his lived experience. “Know what differentiates you,” he said.

Life Outside of Work

Outside the clinic, Mike is an enthusiastic cook with Dominican roots — think oxtail, plantains, and weekend trips to the Campbell Farmers Market. When he’s not in the kitchen, you might find him out camping with his family or grabbing a meal at Sol Food.