Lydia Rodriguez
Registered Mental Health Counselor Intern

Hi, there! My name is Lydia C. Rodriguez Ruiz and I am a Registered Mental Health Counselor Intern. I am trained in birth psychology, ecological upbringing, breastfeeding, mood disorders, stress management, self-esteem, and interpersonal conflicts. I received my degree from Interamerican University of Puerto Rico, Metropolitan Campus. I am originally from Puerto Rico and am fluent in both English and Spanish. Outside of work I enjoy exercising, listening to music, spending time with my family, anything comedic, and drinking my giant cup of coffee (that's my favorite). I have been married for 7 years and have two babies; a 5 year old son and a 2 year old daughter. I am working toward being a good mother, a good role model, gain wisdom and share it.
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I am passionate about helping parents with the challenges they face in this modern world. I find myself conflicted with how difficult modern life makes it for parents, especially for moms and babies, to just exist. I am always exploring new and healthy strategies to use myself and share with other parents that could help ease the challenges that arise when parenting small children. Babies and children are not compatible with this modern world that we as a species have developed. So, I am passionate about finding new ways to evolve and adapt without ignoring our very primitive, natural, biological needs as mammals; as humans. Finding ways to connect to our nature as parents (and as individuals) is key to finding overall wellbeing and raising healthy and happy children.
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One interesting fact about me? In 2011 I participated in the national pageant of Miss Universe Puerto Rico representing my hometown, Cabo Rojo. I won the title of Miss Congeniality which was a coincidence because as a high school student my friends would call me Miss Congeniality. This experience, even though a lot of people do not see it this way, helped me grow and get to know myself at such a deep level. Thanks to this experience I was and am able to receive negative feedback and not let it define me; be more outgoing, talk and get to know people in any environment without being intimidated, love myself, compete without comparing myself, and so much more. This experience also led me to work for 7 years as a modeling instructor and pageant trainer. A job I deeply loved and was so honored to do because I was able to not just share modeling techniques, but to work with the self-esteem of a lot of girls and women, share interpersonal and personal skills, and help them discover their better, empowered selves. You know, it's funny. I don’t believe in destiny, but I think this is what I was destined for. I always knew I wanted to work in the service of others. Early on I discovered that people seem to feel at ease around me and trust me with very personal things. So, I followed that and it led me here.
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What I love the most about my profession is the opportunity to guide others toward finding peace and happiness. The combination of my background, upbringing, experiences and qualities help me deliver my skills and intentions in a very particular/unique way. I am open, affective, expressive, outgoing, respectfully honest, assertive... I use humor to ease tense situations. I consider myself a mediator, and I am good at solving conflicts and problems. Oh, and I love hugs! I think we should hug more. We could all use more oxytocin. Something I often say to my clients is, "You are the most important person in your life." You are a guarantee for yourself. You’ll always have you. You do everything with you, and a lot of people and things depend on you. Place You on top of your priorities list. Get to know you. Love and care for you first. If you are well and taken care of, you will have better resources to do everything else.