Meet Maribel Rodriguez | LMHC, Hope and Healing Coach

We had the good fortune of connecting with Maribel Rodriguez and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Maribel, what role has risk played in your life or career?
I have always been a risk taker especially if you ask my family, I was always the one willing to try anything. I have consistently tried and done things that are considered out of the norm or not easily accessible compared to what I saw growing up in my family, culture and community.

When I think about risk I think about all the things the people around me have missed out on or never achieved or tried because they were afraid of risk, failure or not being enough. Don’t get me wrong I have struggled and thought about all of those and yet the fear of missing out always outweighs the fear of the outcome. I have done lots of things afraid. I think in someways when something feels scary or hard that is what I am drawn to.

If I had not been willing to take risks and have faith I would have never joined the military and retired with amazing experiences and stories under my belt. Without risk I would have never continued my education as a single mom. I would not have home schooled my son, and I would certainly have never started my own business without experience, money and a plan beyond who I had faith in and what I felt called to.

When I think about risk I think- I will not get to experience all that life and God has prepared for me without risk and faith. I am not willing to leave anything on the table!  When I consider all the promises in the Bible I want to experience them all and be willing to go to all the adventures God has prepared for me.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
I honestly didn’t know I wanted to be a Mental Health Therapist and private practice owner until I started going to graduate school. I know that sounds crazy and it’s true. While it took a little while after graduation to find my way to Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) and my private practice it was stirring in me long before. While in graduate school I remember hearing someone say, “if you hear a client say they have Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) run the other way, there is nothing you can do to help them.” In that very moment I decided that is why I became a counselor to help those who other’s say can’t be helped or there isn’t any help for. In that moment I recall saying, that is the opposite of the Jesus I know. No one and nothing is too far or hard from being healed and redeemed.  I love stories of triumph and the idea that I got a front row seat to people changing their lives and finding freedom, there is nothing more rewarding.

Fast forward to after hearing and learning about DBT; I jumped right in, started groups, went to trainings and decided, “this is what I have been waiting for.” I quickly decided to do what I could to make DBT accessible to my community and to do it well. Up until that point there weren’t many DBT counseling options in Orlando and even fewer options for local training and experts. Because I am resilient I figured out how to find and create both for myself. My undergraduate degree is in business (never really knew how it would come in handy) and while I didn’t have any real life experience as a business owner I had enough examples and experiences about the kind of business owner and practice I would not be. One thing I am really good at is getting people to say yes and join my efforts. I did that with a few colleagues and we set out to create a beautiful, safe, and encouraging DBT Center in Orlando. There were road bumps, betrayal, tears, and fears along the way and I persevered. Most people who know me, know I don’t give up easily. I prayed a lot and honestly I stepped out on faith a lot. The thing I am most proud of is having a practice that serves clients and clinicians well. I am so proud of all the therapist I get to work with, teach, supervise and train. Every client we serve is a gift we get to walk along side of and I work really hard to treat every person who walks through our doors like they matter and they are not alone on this journey to find success and healing.

I am so excited about the future of DBT Orlando (DBTO) and Maribel Sharing Hope. We are a comprehensive DBT program in Orlando. There are not many. DBTO continues to create opportunities to make DBT accessible to the community with ASD groups coming, skills only groups coming and increased expertise and learning. Maribel Sharing Hope is planning and saying yes to more speaking and teaching opportunities. I have always loved speaking, ask my mother and teachers. I always knew I wanted to inspire and empower people. I love teaching about practical things like emotion regulation, effective parenting and relationship skills and tools. I love helping people learn more about themselves and how to show up personally, professionally and romantically in ways that gets their needs met and meets the needs of those they are in relationship with. I have done this all my life in the military, church settings and groups. I now do it daily in the counseling room, retreats, seminars and in corporate settings.

My team and I are committed to excellence and practicing with integrity. I believe that anyone, client, clinician and partner have consistently experienced me and my practice as a place that works hard to give more than we take and consistently creates opportunities and space for people to flourish, grow, heal, find hope and leave better than then they were before we met.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?

Inspite of its quirks and it has some, I love Orlando. I love the proximity to the beach and fun!

Okay if we have a week we would start with a few days on the beach on the gulf – Ana maria Island. We will head to Coquina Beach, Clearwater beach and walk around and eat in Lido Beach.

After a few days at the beach we will head off to one of Florida’s many springs to cool off. Crystal springs is a beautiful one.
While in Orlando we will go down to Disney Springs to have dinner at one of their many dinner options some of my favorites is Paddlefish and Frontera Cocina.

In the evening we will visit Maitland, Jazz Tastings for a wonderful local experience of amazing live Jazz from local and featured artist while sipping a glass of wine and eating uniquely prepared favorites.

On a separate night we will head down to the Dr. Phillips Arts center to take in a show or concert.

For lunch we will head to Eatonville, the oldest black incorporated municipality in the US to eat at DaJen eats. As a non-vegan this is an amazing fully vegan Jamaican restaurant that will not disappoint.

If your not tired yet we have to at least go to Epcot at Walt Disney World and drink around the world, take in a show and experience the mayhem that is Disney parks!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
There are so many people and experiences that have contributed to who and where I am today. Some of those experiences weren’t always positive and yet I still count them as valuable. Besides God, my family both by birth and by choice have been instrumental in my success. Without God nothing I have done and will do in the future would be possible. I give God above all, every bit of praise and honor to have lived this amazing life thus far. I am excited for what else He has in store. My faith and my father have carried me a long way and through many trials and victories. In addition He has given me truly the best family and friends a person can hope for. I can’t name them all; although, in particular my mother, my sister and my son have been instrumental in my ability to do and accomplish all the things I have accomplished thus far.

My son is my why. He makes everything worth it! My mother and my sister have always been there for me. They are my biggest cheerleaders, they have never been on the sidelines they have always been on the field with me. Going through school as a single mother, being deployed in the military as a single mother. Cleaning the floors in my practice, helping me with my books. I would not be where I am today and doing what I am doing without them. I will be forever grateful for every sacrifice and every drop of blood, sweat and tear they have shared with and for me.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dbtorlando?igsh=OHNpc2FzM3dubmcx&utm_source=qr. / https://www.instagram.com/maribelsharinghope?igsh=MTh3dGlvMTN6dnh5NQ==

Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/maribel-rodriguez-b1937b9

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100087886163127 / https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100041307078390

Image Credits
Luciane Marcus – https://www.instagram.com/lmphotography_lumarcus/ Fernando Delgado – Creative Brew Agency Jefeo- https://shotbyjefeo.com/ Kenton Elliot – www.Tealpineproductions.com