Welcome. . . The origins of Cultura Care
DOB: 04/2026
Cultura Care was born from both professional expertise and personal experience. Our founder, Marilennis G. Cruz Tapia, LCSW-C, created the practice with a vision of making culturally responsive, compassionate mental health care accessible to individuals and families who have historically faced barriers to receiving quality support.
Marilennis' passion for this work began long before becoming a therapist. As a child, she experienced firsthand many of the cultural and systemic barriers and similar difficulties. that her clients continue to navigate today. Those lived experiences gave her a deep understanding of the impact of trauma, adversity, and resilience, inspiring a lifelong commitment to helping others heal in spaces where they feel genuinely seen, heard, and valued.
As a bilingual Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Marilennis has dedicated her career to serving diverse communities through psychotherapy, crisis intervention, juvenile court services, family reunification, and behavioral health leadership. She currently serves as a Juvenile Social Worker and Program Coordinator with the Montgomery County Circuit Court, where she collaborates with judges, families, and community partners to support youth and strengthen families and trains graduate students from prestigious unviserties.
Her commitment to service extends beyond clinical practice. Marilennis currently serves as Chair of the Montgomery County Commision for Children and Youth, where she leads approximately 30 members, researching, advocating for equitable, appropriate responsive mental health services and improving overall care to the County Coucil. Her leadership has also been recognized through her 2026 nomination for the Leading Women Award, honoring women who demonstrate outstanding leadership, service, and impact within their communities.
Today, through Cultura Care, Marilennis provides secure virtual psychotherapy services to adults throughout Maryland. Every session is guided by empathy, cultural humility, and evidence-based care, creating a safe space where healing, growth, and resilience can flourish. At Cultura Care, we believe that everyone deserves to receive mental health care that honors not only their challenges, but also their culture, identity, and strengths.
Why "Cultura Care"?
The name Cultura Care reflects the heart of our practice and the values upon which it was founded.
Our founder, Marilennis G. Cruz Tapia, LCSW-C, was born in the United States and proudly embraces her Dominican and Puerto Rican heritage. Her culture has shaped who she is, influencing her values, resilience, and the way she connects with others. It is a source of strength, identity, and pride that she carries into every aspect of her work.
The title Cultura Care was chosen intentionally. It honors not only the traditions, languages, and stories that define us, but also the generations who came before us—those whose sacrifices, perseverance, and love created opportunities for us today. Their legacy deserves to be remembered, celebrated, and carried forward.
At the same time, Cultura Care is about every culture. We believe culture extends beyond ethnicity or nationality. It includes our families, values, beliefs, traditions, lived experiences, identities, and the communities that shape us. Every person's story is unique, and every story deserves to be honored with dignity, compassion, and respect.
Whether you come from a different country, a different faith, a different family structure, or a different life experience, you are welcome here. At Cultura Care, we celebrate diversity, embrace authenticity, and strive to create a space where every individual feels safe, valued, and empowered to heal.
Because healing begins when people are cared for—not despite who they are, but because of it.
