What was your biggest Takeaway from this Episode! I would Love to hear from you!
In this powerful Part 1 conversation, Empowering Women in Conversations host Anita Sandoval, LPC, is joined by Gladys A. Cortez, MS, LPC-S, RPT, CRC, TF-CBT, EMDR-Trained, to explore the hidden cost of people-pleasing in parenting — especially when advocating for neurodivergent children within school systems.
Many parents stay quiet in IEP, ARD, and 504 meetings because they don’t want to be labeled “difficult,” “emotional,” or “that parent.” But what happens when silence costs a child the support they are legally entitled to?
In this episode, Anita and Gladys unpack how people-pleasing shows up in advocacy, why guilt and fear keep parents silent, and how education — not confrontation — is the foundation of effective advocacy. This conversation centers on shifting from emotional reactivity to informed, values-based advocacy that protects children and empowers families.
This episode is especially for:
- Parents navigating IEP, ARD, or 504 meetings
- People-pleasers who struggle to speak up in systems of authority
- Families raising neurodivergent children
- Parents wanting to model healthy self-advocacy for their children
✨ In This Episode, You’ll Learn:
- Why people-pleasing can unintentionally harm children
- The difference between emotional reactivity and effective advocacy
- How guilt, fear, and social conditioning silence parents
- Why advocacy is rooted in education, not confrontation
- How knowing your rights changes the power dynamic in school systems
- Why advocacy is about long-term impact — not short-term comfort
🔹 Key Takeaways:
- Advocacy is not being difficult — it’s being responsible
- Silence protects systems, not children
- Parents are the experts on their children
- Education builds bridges; avoidance builds barriers
👩⚕️ Meet Our Guest: Gladys A. Cortez, MS, LPC-S, RPT, CRC, TF-CBT, EMDR-Trained
Gladys Cortez is a Licensed Professional Counselor and Council-Approved Supervisor in Texas, and is also licensed in Missouri. She is a Registered Play Therapist, Certified Rehabilitation Counselor, Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy provider, Certified Autism Spectrum Disorder Clinical Specialist, and EMDR-trained therapist.
Gladys currently serves as Chair of the South Texas Chapter of the Texas Association for Play Therapy and is an active member of:
- UMOS Mental Health Advisory Board
- DECODE IT Community Advisory Board
- Community Inclusion Task Force
- American Counseling Association
With nearly 13 years of service on the Texas Council for Developmental Disabilities, including 10 years as Chair of the Project Development Committee, Gladys brings extensive experience in advocacy, training, and family support. She has led workshops on the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), parenting skills, and has supported families through ARD and school advocacy processes.
Beyond her professional work, Gladys is a devoted wife of nearly 20 years and a mother of two teenagers. She is deeply passionate about empowering individuals and families with diverse needs.
🏢 Practice Information
Cortez & Associates Counseling Services LLC
📞 Phone: 956-507-0035
📧 Email: gladyscortezcrc@gmail.com
▶️ Up Next — Part 2
In Part 2, the conversation continues into:
- Advocacy for teens and young adults
- College accommodations and workplace protections
- Why silence later can cost even more
You’re not alone in this. If you’re a parent navigating advocacy and people-pleas
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