Reina Lopez (Intern Therapist)

Reina Lopez (she/her) is an intern therapist for the Center for Growth. She offers individual and couples counseling services from January 8, 2024, to August 18, 2024, virtually and in person at the Art Museum and Society Hill locations. She is earning her Master’s in Social Work at Eastern University. She graduated from Temple University with a Bachelor’s in Adult and Organizational Development.

Therapeutic Approach

Reina has experience working with a diverse clientele with various needs. Creating a safe and non-judgmental environment, Reina shows empathy and compassion towards her clients when addressing mental health concerns. Utilizing cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), person-in-environment, client-centered, strength-based, and empowerment models of help, Reina works with clients to identify wellness goals in alignment with their core values. Using a holistic approach, Reina uses various approaches and theories to support clients’ build self-awareness and self-regulating strategies.

Reina is passionate about helping individuals and families build successful lives. She has experience working with survivors of domestic violence, providing emotional support and psychoeducation on healthy versus unhealthy relational dynamics. In addition, Reina supports clients in managing various challenges, including but not limited to depression, anxiety, low self-esteem, relationship issues, grief, life transitions, and trauma. She helps clients explore and identify dysfunctional behavioral patterns and core beliefs that impact interactions.

During a counseling session, clients can expect a collaborative experience where Reina helps them explore their thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. Exploring the root of behavior, Reina helps clients make connections between past experiences and present-day challenges. Reina enjoys supporting clients throughout their journey and lives for the “ah-ha” moments when certain connections just click! It is an honor and privilege to work alongside clients at their most vulnerable and watch them persevere and reclaim their voices.

Therapy is a powerful tool that helps clients better understand themselves and how to better work with others. Reina is committed to providing underserved populations and supporting mental health services to increase wellness. Reina’s holistic approach helps clients examine maladapted thoughts and behaviors and helps clients achieve greater awareness.

Therapeutic Perspectives Utilized in Session

Trauma-Informed Therapy focuses on the impact of trauma on a client’s well-being, thoughts, and behaviors. Clients learn to identify triggers and emotions associated with trauma-inducing stimuli and how to appropriately cope and manage their distress. Whether you experience a life-altering event, abuse, or dysfunctional conditions, clients respond to their circumstances the best they can. Trauma-informed therapy considers the effects of such circumstances on the client’s psyche and helps them regain a sense of safety, autonomy, and empowerment by building self-awareness and developing healthy strategies to care for themselves.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is an evidence-based intervention that helps clients become aware of their thoughts, emotions, and behaviors and how they influence one another. This approach aims to reduce symptoms of mental health symptoms by engaging in active problem-solving, restructuring, and reframing maladaptive thoughts, and developing self-awareness and healthy coping skills to support wellness. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is a form of talk therapy that helps clients better understand their problems and examines their thoughts and behavioral patterns to improve their well-being.

Client-Centered Therapy, also known as person-centered therapy, is a form of psychotherapy that emphasizes the client’s autonomy in goal setting and intentions for counseling. The therapist does not dictate or instruct the client on what is best for them. Instead, the therapist holds the client in positive regard, with empathy and respect, focusing on the client’s identification of presenting challenges and assisting them in determining the next steps best suited for them. This form of talk therapy emphasizes a safe and non-judgmental environment for a client to actively participate in the therapeutic process.

The Person in Environment (PIE) Approach derives from the social-ecological framework examining the interplay and interactions an individual has with self, their relationships, within their community and organizations. This perspective aims to examine the client’s challenges and experiences holistically by considering the biopsychosocial and environmental factors that impact one’s physical and mental health. This approach bridges understanding of how multiple variables influence and impact behavior.

Narrative Therapy is a form of counseling that helps clients examine their life’s story and deconstruct maladaptive thoughts and behaviors. Understanding that we are not our problems or behaviors, narrative therapy focuses on helping clients distance themselves from their challenges and rewrite or reframe their experiences to improve their well-being. Clients learn to separate from their problems objectively, reclaim their stories, and identify their resilience and strengths.

Academic and Professional Background

Reina brings a unique blend of academic excellence and practical experience to the field of therapy, holding a Master's in Project Management from Drexel University and a Bachelor's in Adult and Organizational Development from Temple University. By integrating her education and professional background, Reina has crafted a specialized approach to working with diverse populations in a therapeutic setting.

Her experience in the workforce has provided her insights and specialized approach to work-life balance, managing stress, establishing boundaries, implementing self-care and self-advocating strategies in stressful environments. Integrating her project management experience with her mental health practice, Reina has a unique skill set to help clients evaluate, restructure, and prioritize their health. She is dedicated to applying these skills in a therapeutic context, emphasizing efficiency, goal-oriented strategies, and effective communication. This approach allows clients to benefit from a well-rounded perspective, facilitating their progress toward positive and sustainable change.

Before her career in therapy, Reina worked in various roles in the higher education and non-profit sectors. With a hunger to serve the community, Reina explored opportunities outside her administrative roles. In 2018, Reina completed a Certificate in Global Health from Drexel University, where she studied abroad in Gambia for four weeks. This experience taught her the importance of listening to people’s stories from their lens and evaluating socio-economic and cultural factors that impact quality of life.

Reina realized she wanted to be a therapist during the COVID-19 pandemic. She witnessed the negative impact of the global shutdown on individuals’ mental health and well-being. She supported survivors of domestic violence as a Resident Counseling Advocate at a local agency, aiding individuals with safety planning, community resources, and emotional support as they navigate the next steps. Working with these clients, Reina felt a new sense of purpose to empower and uplift individuals during hardship.

The decision to make a career transition stemmed from her deep desire to aid in the healing process. Yearning for more meaning and purpose in her everyday work, Reina discovered fulfillment in helping others achieve happier and healthier lives. With Reina’s credentials and commitment to inclusivity, clients can trust that they are in capable hands. Whether navigating personal challenges or seeking to redefine aspects of their lives, clients can expect a supportive and empowering therapeutic experience under Reina's guidance.

Hobbies

Outside of her role as a therapist, Reina enjoys spending time with family and friends, adding stamps to her passport, completing DIY home projects, and catching up on her favorite TV shows. She also likes to lift weights and take a dance class as a form of physical and mental self-care. A lover of international cuisines, Reina enjoys learning about different cultures and trying foods from around the world.

Next Steps with Reina

If you would like to schedule an appointment with Reina, you can directly contact her via email or schedule online. Please do not hesitate to reach out with any questions or concerns about how to get started. Reina understands that it can be intimidating to initiate therapy. She is here to support you throughout your journey.