About Me

My name is Dr. Angie Cruz, and I am a bilingual licensed clinical social worker based in Riverside, California. I support children and families navigating the pain of loss, helping them rebuild a sense of meaning, connection, and emotional safety along the way.

I come to this work not only as a clinician, but also through my own childhood grief story. My personal narrative continues to shape how I hold space for others as they move through their own experiences of grief, love, remembrance, and healing.

With over 15 years of experience, I offer support that blends clinical expertise with compassion, cultural sensitivity, and lived understanding. In addition to my clinical work, I serve as a higher education professor, author, scholar, and mentor to emerging social workers, where I am passionate about teaching trauma-informed, culturally responsive, and human-centered care.

I am also a social worker within child welfare services, specializing in adoption, permanency, and grief and loss issues impacting children and families involved in children’s services. My professional work has centered on supporting vulnerable children through experiences of trauma, separation, identity development, and complex family transitions with cultural responsiveness and relational care.

Beyond direct practice, I advocate for greater awareness and support for grieving children and families, particularly within underserved and culturally diverse communities. I have presented at professional and national conferences on topics related to childhood grief, culturally grounded care, child welfare, and loss-informed practice. My work as a scholar and author continues to focus on culturally responsive grief support, childhood bereavement, and healing-centered approaches that honor the lived experiences and cultural identities of children and families.

Loss y Luz 4 Kids was created to be a gentle and supportive space for grieving children and families, a space where emotion, identity, culture, and healing are honored with care. My approach integrates evidence-based practices with cultural traditions and relational connection to help children and families process grief without feeling rushed, alone, or misunderstood.

As a bilingual provider, I offer services in both English and Spanish and strive to create spaces where children and families feel seen, heard, and culturally understood in their healing journeys.

I offer virtual therapy sessions and welcome children, families, and fellow helping professionals seeking support, guidance, or connection through experiences of grief and loss. Whether you are looking for support for your child, navigating loss within your family, or simply unsure of what comes next, I am here to hold space alongside you in whatever season you may be carrying.