Vulnerability is not winning or losing; it's having the courage to show up and be seen when we have no control over the outcome
- Brené Brown
Hello, I'm Neqina (nuh-keen-a) Rodriguez and I am an Associate Clinical Social Worker (ACSW). I was born and raised in Columbus, OH and am a two-time graduate from The Ohio State University. I moved to San Diego a few years ago as a military spouse. I have been in the mental health field since 2018, starting my career providing mental health services to youth and families in the community then transitioned to school-based therapy. I enjoy weightlifting, watching sports (mostly football), going on walks, taking my dog on adventures, going to the movies, concerts and whale watching.
I love working with...
Children, teens and young adults who are experiencing a variety of concerns such as depression, anxiety, behavioral issues, trauma, self-esteem, family dynamics and other related stressors. I also have a deep passion for working with the Black community, with an understanding of how important it is to find a therapist that can relate to you regarding race-related topics.
Some of my favorite approaches include...
At the core of my approach is to be trauma-informed and client-centered. While I may use specific modalities, I also strive to be creative and focus on what the client is looking for or needing. Some modalities I use include: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Solution Focused Therapy (SFT), Motivational Interviewing (MI) and Narrative Therapy. By also integrating culturally responsive therapeutic modalities, I help clients reconnect with their strength, process historical and personal pain, and break cycles of generational trauma.
How I help...
Believing the client is the one in the driver seat and knows themselves best. I believe that the client already possesses so many strengths within themselves. My role is to assist the client with finding those strengths within them to better understand themselves and add to their toolbox of ways to function through life in a more helpful way. That can look like talk therapy, practicing coping skills in session, worksheets or other creative activities (especially for children!)
I believe...
...That everyone deserves a space to be able to be vulnerable, heard, seen and understood. The impact of having a space like that and the ability to feel safe, has such a helpful impact on us as humans. I also believe that healing isn't linear, it looks different for everyone.
What it's like in session with me
I bring an easy-going, relaxed, grounded, collaborative and humorous approach to the therapeutic space. I honor the pace of the client and meet them where they are at. My main goal is always to start off with building rapport and trust, as I believe that is the foundation of the therapeutic relationship. My overall approach is to celebrate your resilience while honoring your pain. I hope to create that safer space where you can feel like yourself and have a sense of belonging.