Introduction
Hi there! My name is Monina Reyes (she/her/hers) and I am so grateful to be able to share this space with you. My love for writing cannot be disentangled from my love for this profession - I unashamedly bring every facet of my life into the therapeutic space. So… who is that, exactly?
Apart from being a therapist, I am a sister, daughter, friend, and lifelong student. Since my immigration from the Philippines in 2005, so much has changed except for my insatiable curiosity. I chose to pursue a career in this mental health profession because I wanted so badly to dig into what it meant to be human.
I have a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from the University of Florida and a Master of Science with a dual degree (Education Specialist) in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Florida State University. I hope to obtain my Doctorate degree in Counseling Psychology in the near future in order to utilize my clinical experiences to address the disparity in healthcare access and education within academia.
Outside of work, I look to the arts as a means of self-expression and grounding. I absolutely love reading, writing (especially poetry!), and could probably listen to music for days on end. I take every opportunity to create memories with those I love, whether that be cozying up for a movie marathon or taking a spontaneous road trip to a trail in Colorado. I like to look for joy and meaning in every possible pocket.
As I’ve stated before, who I am as a person - as a sister, daughter, friend, student, etc. - is who I am as a therapist. And that’s exactly how I wish to view every person that I come to encounter; you are not just a client. You are a whole person. A whole person with dreams, losses, and stories.
I gravitate towards a narrative, intersectional therapeutic approach. I believe that it is both important and necessary to acknowledge, explore, and accept all facets of our identity despite contradicting sociocultural messages. Mental health is inherently political, and it is no longer enough to talk about social justice - we must continuously learn and practice it. As a therapist, I recognize the privileged identities I hold just as much as I recognize the parts that have been traditionally marginalized. I believe in the power of shared vulnerability within the therapeutic relationship, and look forward to the reciprocal journey of learning and growth with those I come to see.
Through this blog, I hope to highlight the ways in which my personal and professional identities converge. I will be sharing my thoughts on current psychosocial trends, offer a diverse perspective in the midst of a Eurocentric field, and hopefully use my position as a platform to uplift the voices of those that have historically gone unheard. We have barely scratched the surface of what it means to be well, and I welcome you to join me in that search. :)
