Dear 'GMA' Advice Guru Top 20 Finalists: Elisabeth Salazar

Nov. 26, 2010 — -- Elisabeth Salazar from Santa Fe, NM, is a finalist in the Dear GMA Advice Guru Contest. Read her application below!

Essay

I am a licensed professional clinical mental health counselor. I began counseling at the age of 22. I know, very young to be giving advice. But, I have always given advice since I was a child and have always been mature for my age. I am opinionated and blunt, but very grounded. I have a strong foundation rooted in my family and God. I believe those are the simple basics for giving good advice. I received my master's degree in counseling at the age of 23 and counseled everbody under the sun from people with schizophrenia to depression from physical pain. There are few things that people can say that would surprise me. I had a client, 20 years my senior once tell me, "Lisa how can a 23 year old possibly counsel me when you haven't lived half my life?" I responded, " Well, would you trust a 23-year-old highly-skilled doctor to perform surgery on you? What's the difference, we're both trained to do our work." He agreed and we had an excellent professional counselor/client relationship. I am currently working on my doctorate in educational leadership, all but dissertation(ABD). I plan to graduate in May 2011. I am currently the GED Director for the state of New Mexico and oversee 30 GED Testing Centers through out the state. I believe I would be a fantastic advice guru because giving advice comes naturally to me. I love to tell people what to do! They love the advice I give! People gravitate to me and tell me all their problems (unsolicited). For example, I was at a Las Vegas casino gambling at a roulette table, of all places, I get to talking with a guy and he begins telling me all about his problems, I helped him sort through them, my boyfriend can't believe I'm counseling once again in the oddest places...But hey, it worked he was happy and we did win money! For some reason, people feel comfortable telling me their deepest secrets. I have a calm demeanor and am extremely trustworthy. All I can say is meet me and you will tell me all your deepest secrets and problems and feel extremely comfortable doing it! Give me a shot!<

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Elisabeth Salazar is Finalist in GMA Advice Guru Contest

What's the best advice you have ever given? What was the result?

Believe in yourself, think positive, persist, persist toward your goal and never, never give up! Have faith and you will end up where you were always meant to be! The result: trial and tribulation but, SUCCESS!

What would you tell this person: "Whenever there is an issue between my mother-in-law and me, my husband refuses to stand up for me. How do I get him to value our relationship more than the one with his mother?

I don't think you will ever get your husband to value your relationship more that the one with his mother. And you shouldn't want to. They are two different kinds of relationships. Before confronting your mother-in-law though, you should ask your husband for support on any issues you are having with her and come to an agreement with a united front. Your mother-in-law will back down and accept it. Not to say she won't go asking your husband later what that was about. But at least it will show that he does value and support you.

What would you tell this person: "While cleaning my son's room, I accidentally saw on his Facebook page threatening remarks from his friends. I fear he's being bullied. What should I do?"

Someone your son trusts and feels comfortable talking to (brother, sister, father, uncle, mother, good friend) should ask your son how things are going in his life. If he opens up, great! If not, this trusted person should give an example of bullying or a threatening situation that happened with him/her and how s/he resolved it. This will get the son to open up and then action can be taken together to alleviate the situation. This should be addressed immediately! Kids can be mean and all threats should be taken seriousl. Not all kids are equipped to handle the stress and you don't want the son to react adversely.

Finalist Elisabeth Salazar Could be Next GMA Advice Guru

What would you tell this person: "My boss keeps taking credit for my ideas. What should I do?"

Work situations should always be handled by thinking about the situation before reacting with intense emotion. Never react out of anger. Think about the big picture and act strategically. Politics are always involved, and if you're not well-liked, well, it can be most difficult. It will be easier if you are well-liked. In either case, your best bet is to get your boss and all the key people who are hearing your great ideas into one room and put your boss on the spot. Begin by explaining one of your ideas (that your boss came up with) and ask your boss intense details about the idea that only you would know. He will surely fluster and get caught in the act. You can finish by answering the questions you asked because only you know the answers! You can then take your credit and put your boss in his place!

Submissions have been edited for length, style and clarity.