Our story

Iguality was founded in 2022 as a response to the growing mental health crisis facing marginalized communities in Spain, where mental health care is often inaccessible, underfunded, and limited in scope. Despite the increasing recognition of mental health issues, Spain only allocates a small fraction of its GDP to mental health services—just 0.6%—and public resources are overwhelmed by demand. As a result, individuals from migrant, refugee, LGBTQ+, and survivor communities face significant barriers to receiving care.

The founders of Iguality—Luciana Wachockier (Clinical Psychologist), Alex Duran (Clinical Psychologist), Marta Hormaechea (Sociologist), and Vincent van Grondelle (Social Worker)—recognized this glaring gap in care and came together with their diverse professional backgrounds to create an organization that would provide essential mental health services to those who needed it most. Their goal was to not only offer therapy and counseling but also foster a sense of belonging and community through social activities, ensuring individuals felt supported in every aspect of their healing journey.

Each founder’s unique perspective shaped Iguality’s holistic approach to mental health care:

• Luciana and Alex, both experienced clinical psychologists, brought years of expertise in trauma therapy, working directly with individuals experiencing emotional and psychological distress.
• Marta, a sociologist with a passion for social justice, focused on inclusion and the importance of community empowerment, ensuring that the work of Iguality directly responded to the social issues facing marginalized communities.
• Vincent, a social worker, drew from his firsthand experience with underserved populations, emphasizing the need for accessible services and direct support for individuals navigating complex systems, including legal and bureaucratic challenges.

Through their combined expertise, the founders understood that mental health care goes beyond just providing therapy. It’s about creating safe, inclusive spaces, empowering individuals, and addressing the root causes of mental distress, such as isolation, discrimination, and lack of support. They set out to fill the gap in Spain’s mental health system by offering comprehensive care—psychological support, social inclusion, and a network that champions the voices of marginalized communities.

Today, Iguality offers accessible therapy, community-building activities, and advocacy to those in need. Our work continues to bridge the gap, supporting individuals in their journey towards healing and well-being, while pushing for systemic change in the mental health sector. At Iguality, we believe mental health care should be a universal right, not a privilege.