Dr. Katia Arroyo does not believe in shrinking. Not in body, not in voice, and certainly not in purpose. But before we delve into her story, we must share a bit more about this series and its significance!
The Curvy Boss Spotlight is a storytelling feature series dedicated to amplifying plus-size professionals whose work deserves recognition. From psychologists and educators to founders, executives, and creatives, this ongoing series centers on expertise, leadership, and lived experience, highlighting the many ways plus-size individuals are shaping industries beyond fashion and social media.
Each spotlight goes deeper than a highlight reel, offering a quote-forward, narrative look at how these leaders show up, take up space, and redefine success on their own terms.
Curvy Boss Spotlight on Dr. Katia Arroyo
A psychologist, trauma-informed educator, and founder of Reflection Psychology and The Relational Trauma Therapist, Dr. Katia Arroyo Carrion has built her work around presence, embodiment, and nervous system safety. Her approach to healing is grounded, accessible, and deeply human, especially for those who have been historically overlooked in traditional mental health spaces.
This Curvy Boss Spotlight centers on plus-size professionals whose work deserves recognition, from educators and executives to founders and creatives shaping their fields. Dr. Katia Arroyo’s work does exactly that, reshaping what authority, professionalism, and leadership can look like.
Showing Up Without Shrinking
For Dr. Katia Arroyo, showing up begins long before she enters a therapy session or hits “publish” on educational content. Her days are intentionally paced to support regulation and presence.
“A typical day for me is a balance between structure and attunement,” she shares. “My work as a psychologist requires presence, regulation, and deep listening, so I’m intentional about how I move through my day.”
She begins by grounding herself, checking in with her body, and setting clear internal boundaries around how much energy she gives and where. That intentionality extends into how she understands confidence itself.
“Showing up isn’t about performing confidence,” she explains. “It’s about inhabiting my space fully.”
As a curvy Latina woman in professional spaces, that embodiment has required unlearning deeply ingrained messages about taking up less room.
“Owning my space has meant unlearning the idea that I need to take up less room physically, emotionally, or intellectually,” she says. “I allow myself to be visible without over-explaining or shrinking.”
Whether she is in the therapy room or moving through the world, her presence is rooted in self-trust rather than approval—a shift she describes as both grounding and liberating.
Redefining Professionalism on Her Own Terms
One of the most persistent challenges Dr. Katia Arroyo has faced is the narrow and often unspoken expectation of what professionalism is supposed to look like.
“As a plus-size curvy Latina woman, I was directly and indirectly told that I wouldn’t be successful or taken seriously unless I fit a narrow Barbie-like image,” she shares.
Early in her career, that pressure showed up everywhere—from how she dressed to how much space she allowed herself to occupy.
“There was pressure to shrink myself physically, stylistically, and emotionally in order to be perceived as credible,” she says.
Over time, she realized that conformity was not only unsustainable; it was incompatible with the work she wanted to do.
“The work I do requires authenticity, presence, and trust—not aesthetic sameness,” Dr. Katia Arroyo explains. “I leaned into my expertise, my cultural identity, and my lived experience; I allowed my visibility to be part of the work rather than something to hide.”
Today what once felt like a barrier has become a point of connection and strength.
“Showing up fully and unapologetically became an act of both self-respect and resistance,” she says. “My difference allows me to connect deeply; challenge outdated norms; create spaces where others feel seen; safe; represented.”
Representation as Authority Not Just Visibility
For much of her life and career, Dr. Katia Arroyo did not see herself reflected in the spaces she aspired to enter.
“Representation for plus-size women was either absent or extremely narrow,” she explains. “Visibility existed but was often limited to models or creators; rarely extended into professional or clinical spaces.”
She didn’t often see plus-size Latina women being publicly trusted as experts educators or leaders. That absence shaped her understanding of what representation could and should mean.
“For me representation means being visible not just as a body but as a voice professional and source of knowledge,” she says.
Her visibility as a psychologist is deeply intentional; it is about expanding the narrative of who gets to hold authority and be respected.
“I wanted to help widen the narrative,” she shares “to show that plus-size women can be trusted experts leaders healers not just aesthetic symbols.”
Making Mental Health More Accessible and Human
Dr . Katia Arro yo’s platform is rooted in accessibility . Through Instagram expanding into TikTok , she focuses on making psychological education feel less intimidating more relatable .
“My goal is to help people understand their experiences without shame ” she says “especially those who have historically felt unseen or misunderstood in mental health spaces.”
She shares trauma-informed education about the nervous system emotional regulation body trust in ways that feel grounded human . That same commitment to access is guiding her next projects .
“I’m developing membership-based space designed for people who may not be able participate therapy due financial cultural logistical barriers ” she explains “It will offer resources guided content people can engage with their own pace more accessible cost.”
At core this work is belief healing should exclusive .
“Inspiring others is about widening access representation ” she says “Mental health support doesn’t have look one way.”
Style That Supports Presence
When it comes professional style Dr . Katia Arro yo approaches it same way approaches healing: with intention .
“Professional style starts with comfort fit not trends ” she says “When clothing fits your body well it allows you be present rather distracted self-conscious.”
Tailoring notes one most underrated tools for plus size professionals She also prioritizes balance pairing structured pieces softer fabrics feel both polished grounded .
“Letting go idea that professional clothing has hide my body was huge shift” she shares “When I dress way aligns with how want feel grounded capable visible it shows how carry myself.”
Her philosophy simple but powerful .
“The best style hack wearing clothes support your presence not compete with it.”
What’s Next for Dr Katia Arro yo
Looking ahead Dr . Katia Arro yo focused deepening impact rather expanding expansion’s sake Alongside growing educational platforms exploring connection between trauma embodiment fashion .
“How inhabit our bodies how we dress them how visible allow ourselves deeply connected safety self-trust healing ” explains .
Fashion for becomes another pathway back body another way take up space intention .
She describes herself three words quirky grounded embodied When celebrates win does quietly spending time family friends pets .
If could host dream dinner Frida Kahlo would be table without question Kahlo’s relationship pain identity self-expression continues resonate deeply with Dr Katia Arro yo’s own work around embodiment visibility .
A Final Word
Her advice anyone stepping into purpose clear compassionate .
“Don’t wait until you feel fully confident take up space” says “Clarity confidence often come after begin.”
“You don’t have shrink over-explain look like what already been approved belong” adds “When you show aligned who are create space others do same.”
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