Livia Rincón, a clinical psychologist in Trinidad and Tobago, dedicates her life to supporting survivors of exploitation and human trafficking, particularly children. Each session she conducts reveals painful stories, and she carefully balances empathy with resilience, recognizing the importance of staying grounded to help others heal. Originally from Venezuela, Livia moved to Trinidad and Tobago 11 years ago and gradually found her calling in supporting vulnerable migrants, as the influx of Venezuelan families increased the need for protection and mental health care.
Initially working with a handful of children in the first safe house in South Trinidad, Livia witnessed the rapid growth of need, expanding to hundreds of children and women. Through her work with the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and the local NGO Families in Action, she provides direct care, helping survivors regain confidence, while also training psychologists, counselors, and social workers to strengthen the broader support system in the country.
Livia’s empathy is deeply informed by her own migrant experience. She understands the immense challenges migrants face—leaving home, navigating dangerous journeys, adapting to new languages and cultures, and surviving economic hardship. Many children and families encounter extreme vulnerability, including risks of trafficking and exploitation, often compounded by the necessity to work multiple jobs to survive.
At 63, Livia continues her work with unwavering dedication, emphasizing that healing requires patience, determination, and the engagement of entire communities. She advocates for broader societal awareness, addressing root causes such as poverty, harmful social norms, and unrecognized trauma. Livia stresses the importance of prevention, structural reforms, and open dialogue about trauma to break stigma and support collective healing.
Through her tireless efforts, Livia has helped countless survivors rebuild their lives while simultaneously strengthening the mental health and social support infrastructure in Trinidad and Tobago. Her work highlights the critical role of both specialized care and community involvement in creating safe and nurturing environments for vulnerable populations.
