Rubina Pina, LPC Associate
Supervised By Tia Jennings, LPC-S
Life. Is. HARD. I personally feel like that isn’t talked about enough. I think we all get so wrapped up in comparing what we are going through to others that we minimize our own hardships and convince ourselves that we should not be struggling, or we feel guilty for struggling. I know it can be a scary or nerve-wracking experience choosing a therapist because you start to think, “What if they judge me?”, “What if they think I’m being ridiculous?”, “What if I’m beyond help?” etc. etc. I think all of those questions are part of the experience when choosing someone that you are going to potentially open up and be vulnerable with. I want my clients to have a safe space to vent and just lay whatever they are going through out on the table. I want to create that space for you; you don’t have to go through this alone.
Give yourself permission to vent and accept support on what you are going through! You need someone who will listen and not minimize your situation or your feelings.
Asking for help does not mean that you are not capable of handling things on your own. But, sometimes it’s just easier to have a sounding board and someone to offer support. That is where I come in (hopefully).
My name is Rubina Pina and yes, my last name actually does mean Pineapple!
I am an LPC-Associate, supervised by Tia Jennings, LPC-S. I have spent the last five years working with those struggling with anxiety, depression, anger or impulse control, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, substance use disorders, and legal issues. Something I have learned is that it does not matter your background, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, education, or gender; mental health struggles do not discriminate and nobody is immune. That is why I think it is so important to learn how to manage any symptoms or uncomfortable feelings you may be having and implement coping strategies to continue to live a healthier lifestyle.
I want to create that nonjudgmental space for you.
I first knew I wanted to be a counselor when I was 17 years old and was personally impacted by a loss due to suicide; although, at that time, I wanted to be a grief counselor. This had a great impact on my life and I wished more than anything that I had the experience and tools to recognize the signs. That is when I decided I wanted to go into the counseling field and help others however I could. I want to be the person that can make a difference in someone’s life, to offer hope and support.
We are a product of not only what we have learned from the people and experiences around us, but also how we interpret those encounters. Changing behavior means changing thinking patterns, which is the root of many of our issues. Something I learned from my own personal experiences with this is that…
Growth. Can. Be. UNCOMFORTABLE.
It is so much easier to stay in the bubble of familiarity that we know but I want to (metaphorically, of course) hold your hand and support you through those feelings. I am sure that you are overwhelmed by the countless options of counselors you can choose; my advice is to choose someone that you feel the most comfortable and like you could build a therapeutic relationship with.
That is why I encourage you to use the (free) 15-minute consultation because making sure you find the counselor that is the best fit for YOU is one of the most important parts of the counseling process.
***Accepts Aetna and Cigna Insurance***