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Cathleen Rodriguez
About
Hello and welcome, I'm so glad you stopped by! My name is Cathleen. I am an LPC in Idaho, and have been a counselor since 2015. I am passionate about supporting the individual journey of each of my clients. I believe that we all are the experts of our own experience, and I am here to support, encourage, and assist you in your life's journey. I strongly believe that counseling is a collaborative experience, where both the therapist and client work together to achieve the autonomous goals of the client. Whether you are here to deal with anxiety, depression, trauma, self esteem or other life challenges, I aim to provide a space that is safe and supportive to each person I meet with. Autonomy, acceptance, compassion, support and understanding are my first goals for any new therapeutic relationship. My approach to therapy is eclectic, sculpted uniquely from the theories and approaches per each client's needs and strengths. This is your journey and your story. I look forward to meeting with you and getting to know you, and helping you reach the goals you desire.
I have always been drawn to interact with and support the neurodivergent population. Since childhood, I have felt a connection with this population and a desire to honor the diversity of the human being. I have had both personal and professional experiences in supporting this population, understanding how to translate communication and understanding between both neurodivergent individuals and neurotypical individuals, as well as developing insight into some of the most common experiences and self esteem challenges associated with being "different" from the majority population. I have spent time in college studying diversity and cultural issues in society, participated in Autism specific trainings/education as well as a rich personal experience within this spectrum. I personally believe that there is a bias historically that tends to paint a negative expectation for the world of what it means to be neurodivergent, and this bias has led to further complicate the identities and experiences of many individuals who otherwise would not have had quite as many challenges to overcome mentally, socially and emotionally. I desire to assist in the correction of this bias and to provide a space where individuals can see and accept themselves as unique and beautiful, just the way they are; a space where it is acceptable to be authentically themselves and to appreciate and love the person they are and choose to be.
I believe that each person possesses within them a unique set of skills and abilities that deserves to be seen, supported, valued and empowered. I use an approach of acceptance and curiosity to encourage my client's to express themselves and utilize the strengths they already possess to build upon those strengths and create any change they wish for themselves. I also believe that any weakness can be changed into a strength, whether through a perspective shift, self love, or simply acceptance of the whole self. Often times we can misjudge a situation and take blame or shame where it is possible to insert acceptance and appreciation, changing the experience.
