Today we’d like to introduce you to Regina Andrews Duarte.
Regina, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I’ve always been a social worker at heart. As a little girl of 5 years old, I remember grabbing hold of a homeless man’s leg in San Salvador, El Salvador and my mother pulling me away in anger. The emotion felt was that of compassion and empathy for the haggard looking gentleman. As I developed into an adolescent, my comfort zone included listening to other people talk about their struggles. Following college, and after a couple jobs in the counseling arena, the decision to pursue a master’s degree in Social Work at Loyola University-Chicago was solidified. After over 35 years in the field of social work, I still feel a passion for helping other people. In fact, it’s a job I would do without pay except that making a living is a necessity. I am proud to be a social work psychotherapist and love to help people feel better.
Helping people with a wide variety of problems is my chosen direction. At the same time, being that I’m half Hispanic, assisting those from other cultures is a pleasure. Today, I maintain a private practice in League City, Texas, and hope to do so for many years to come.
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?
Providing clinical social work services has been a consistent and in general a smooth ride. There have been shifts in schedules, relocations to different states and cities, and variances within the practice field of social work from time to time.
For the most part, I have always maintained a clinical practice, however medical social work was also in the mix throughout the years. At one point, I maintained a private practice for approximately 20 years between Chicago and Galveston, Texas as myself, husband and young family moved to Texas in 1995.
Providing counseling services has been ongoing, even throughout the years of raising children. Although, now that my children are adults in their 20’s, beginning a second go around at maintaining a private practice as a psychotherapist, fell into place. Because it has been an agreeable journey within the field of social work, it leads me to believe I’m on the right path.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Regina Andrews Duarte, BS, MSW, LCSW-S – what should we know?
My private practice is maintained in a home environment. The billing aspect and customer service is managed by myself which makes the connection with clients personal and direct. It is not always a usual to provide the many dimensions of a practice by the clinician on an ongoing basis. I meet with people experiencing a spectrum of issues.
These include depression, anxiety, mental illness, mood disorders, personality disorders, chemical dependency, eating disorders, sexual abuse, grief, transitions, unresolved grief, co-occurring disorders, etc. All services are provided within groups, individual, couple, and/or family therapy settings. People of all ages, young and old, seek treatment and are welcome to pursue services. I am honored that people are willing to share their personal concerns with me on a daily basis.
Is there a characteristic or quality that you feel is essential to success?
I find it is most important to feel excited to go to work every day. At the same time, it’s not to say that self-care isn’t necessary in order to re-charge, however having a passion for this type of work is key.
Building trust and maintaining honest communication is another factor which is the essence of the therapeutic relationship.
Self-evaluation, conscious awareness and reflection are other necessary elements of the therapeutic process. These characteristics of being a psychotherapist help to maintain a consistent, ongoing, sincere, and ethical practice.
Pricing:
- Most major insurances are accepted. These include Aetna, United Health, Cigna, Blue Cross/Blue Shield, Optum, Multiplan, Magellan Behavioral Health, First Health, Coventry, Compass Balances, & Interface EAP.
- $100.00 per hour if insurance is not an option
Contact Info:
- Address: 2630 Swift Creek Drive
League City, Texas
77573-3065 - Website: www.therapybyregina.com
- Phone: 409-939-6383
- Email: duarte52@msn.com
- Other: Fax: 281-534-3464
Getting in touch: VoyageHouston is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
