We are so excited to welcome Rey Rivera to our team of counselors at Redeemer Counseling. Rey will be seeing clients at the Lake Nona office If you're interested in scheduling an appointment with Rey please contact our office at 407-405-7677.
What was your journey in becoming a counselor?
My journey of becoming a counselor began in High School when I experienced my share of struggles with relationships, family dynamics and depression. After taking an AP Psychology course, I found out how intriguing and freeing it was to understand the relationship between thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. I was hooked right from the start as I was able to gain more insight into myself. As a Christian, I found that knowledge of God, coupled with an increasing knowledge of myself, helped me to deepen and maintain healthy relationships. I went on to study psychology in college and get my Master’s in Counseling. The more I learned, the more I grew personally. My own personal growth developed a desire in me to walk with others through the complexity of their own inner world and the mystery of God. To this day, my goal continues to be for my work as a counselor to be an extension of my personal pursuit of God and wholeness. I want to come alongside others, help them grow, and remain humble in the process as I also grow.
Do you have particular areas of interest as a counselor?
I particularly enjoy working with men who are wrestling with identity issues, whether these come as a result of a career change, life transitions, relational conflict or trauma. It can often be difficult for men to know themselves if they have not been given the tools to understand their emotions. As men, we tend to ignore our internal conflicts until it’s too late, which can lead to severe struggles with depression and anxiety. This can also be exacerbated by intense trauma such as sexual abuse. I hope to walk alongside men dealing with the consequences of not understanding their internal world.
If someone were to see you for counseling, what should the person expect in the first session?
As in all meaningful relationships, building trust takes a bit of time. The therapeutic relationship is no different. A new client should expect that I will be intentional in getting to know them, while also letting them get a sense of who I am. I would ask important questions relating to their reason for seeking therapy, while respecting the reality that I am still a stranger to them, and not pushing them beyond what feels comfortable at the time. I consider it a success if the individual leaves with clarity on their goals for therapy and feels a bit more comfortable to start that process alongside me.
What do you enjoy doing for fun?
Some of the things I enjoy the most include working out, reading, playing music and spending time with my friends and family. I have become somewhat of a CrossFit enthusiast over the last few years and have grown to love the challenge and community it provides. When not being active, reading and playing music are ways that I can unwind and learn new things. Spending time with the people I love is also a priority for me. If there is a chance that I am not doing any of the things mentioned above, then I am usually trying to find a way to sneak in a nap.