Paola Rodriguez is a Resident in Counseling pursuing licensure in Virginia. As a first-generation Latina and first-generation college graduate, she understands the complexities of navigating multiple identities, cultural expectations, and finding your own voice. She brings warmth, curiosity, and a culturally responsive perspective to her work, creating a space where clients feel seen, heard, and supported.
Paola works with adolescents, young adults, and adults experiencing anxiety, depression, trauma, life transitions, relationship concerns, and challenges related to self-esteem and identity. Her approach is warm, collaborative, and integrative, with treatment tailored to each client’s unique needs and experiences. She draws from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), and trauma-informed approaches. She is also trained in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR).
Paola earned her Master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Marymount University and her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from George Mason University. She is a recipient of the American Psychological Association’s Interdisciplinary Minority Fellowship Program, which provides specialized training focused on serving underserved and diverse communities. Her professional experience includes work in community mental health and domestic violence intervention settings, as well as presenting at a global mental health training in Germany on cross-cultural counseling and trauma-informed care for refugees and asylum seekers. She is passionate about helping clients develop greater self-awareness, strengthen their coping skills, and move toward healing and personal growth. Above all, she hopes to create a space where clients feel comfortable bringing their authentic selves, knowing they do not have to navigate life’s challenges alone.