Today we’d like to introduce you to Rebecca Lopez.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Rebecca. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
Since I was a child, I remember always wanting to help people. This desire continued throughout both my high school and college career. I generally enjoy helping people. Once I began working, I worked for a non-profit where I was able to work with families and it was in my time there, in speaking and supporting these wonderful people, that I knew I wanted to become a therapist. I was helping people and supporting them on their journey which guided my decision to enter graduate school. Graduate school then opened me up and taught me how to work with others in a therapeutic setting and allowed me to build knowledge to do this work. I was inspired by Virginia Satir, Carl Rogers, Michael White, Harlene Anderson and so many other pioneers in the therapy world.
So, while finishing graduate scshool, I decided to become double licensed, I became and LPC and LMFT and while it was hard work, obtaining these licenses, they are part of my greatest accomplishments in life. With them, I could do work that I was passionate about which was supporting people as they are their authentic selves, no matter where they were at on their journey whether they needed to heal or someone to hear them. After graduate school, I began working but I also began to notice that in my community there was a lack of private mental health providers aside from those that were in community centers. This did not sit well with me. The people in the East End, along with its great development, deserve to have access to mental health care, in which they don’t have to drive out to receive. From this came the opening of my business.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I think that depends on how you define smooth road. I personally feel like getting starting was challenging but I had the most wonderful support from friends, colleagues and professors. I was blessed with people who provided me what I needed to get my business going. It was definitely scary sometimes, and I had to be brave but once I hit the green button, everything began to fall into place. I constantly was asking questions and I had to work. Work varied from filing a DBA to painting a wall and becoming credentialed with insurances. It was all a learning process, but I wouldn’t say it was not smooth, it was more like building foundation for a home. I worked but never felt like I was stuck. My process was fluid and full of learning. That was a blessing in itself.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Cultivating Hope Counseling Services – what should we know?
My business is Cultivating Hope Counseling Services. I provide therapy/counseling to individuals, couples, and families. I work with people dealing with anxiety, depression, grief, identity nurturing and many other areas. I specialize in working with adolescents and families. I am proud that I offer a therapeutic environment that is open to a person and allows for them to be their genuine and authentic selves. Once you enter my office there is no judgement and I make sure that all my clients know that from day one. My business is about resiliency and hope and using those tools and others to support people on their journey.
Is there a characteristic or quality that you feel is essential to success?
There are so many, but the biggest characteristic or quality that is essential to my success is hope. I work with so many people but when you bring in this quality of hope it allows for a person to believe in and cultivate a life they want. Hope is definitely a characteristic I carry always and in my profession dealing with emotions and life even the smallest bit of hope can move mountains.
Contact Info:
- Address: 111 N. Ennis, Houston TX 77003
- Website: www.cultivatinghopecs.com
- Phone: 832-481-4881
- Email: rebecca@cultivatinghopecs.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CultivatingHopeCS/
Image Credit:
Angela Latimer – 4forty4 FIne Art Portraiture (personal photo), Cassandra Lopez – AnneAmar photography (additional potos)
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