Lina Ramirez, M.A.
Resident in Counseling
What do I do at Counseling & Psychological Services?
I am a Resident in Counseling, and within CAPS, I provide both individual and group Counseling. I have a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from Los Andes University in Colombia, and a Master’s Degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Liberty University. I am working towards Licensure in the state of Virginia and hope to become a Certified Eating Disorder Specialist within the next couple of years.
I have a heart for working with students who are struggling with their relationship with their body, food, exercise, and/or body image. As a former international student, I also enjoy coming alongside students who are coming to the US for the first time or returning from overseas, and helping them navigate the uncertainty, discomfort and adjustments that may come with the acculturation process.
What is it like to work with me?
I am committed and passionate about walking alongside you on your journey toward seeking answers, purpose, healing, and long-lasting freedom in whichever areas you may be struggling in. I believe a key part of the healing process begins when we start viewing ourselves, our stories, and our struggles from a more tender and self-compassionate lens. For this reason, the first thing you will receive from me is an invitation to start taking a curious and nonjudgmental approach towards the areas that brought you into counseling. Throughout sessions, my aim will be for you to discover the transformational power that becomes available to us when we 1). identify what brings the most meaning to our lives (our core values), 2). recognize the beliefs we hold & behaviors we engage with that may be incongruent with these 3). understand how this may contribute to your present-day concerns or distress, and 4). learn how to make intentional everyday choices that reflect and align with your values.
My hope is that the work we do may go further than the simple elimination/reduction of symptoms that brought you in the first place. Hopefully, by the end of our sessions, you may leave knowing yourself more, feeling equipped and empowered to continue pursuing a life that is fulfilling and meaningful for you.
What do I do outside of Counseling & Psychological Services?
Outside of CAPS, I enjoy spending time with my husband, hanging out with friends, and catching up on the phone with family overseas. On a regular afternoon, you can find me in my cozy corner with a book in hand, attempting to catch the perfect sunset from the comfort of my hammock, starting a new paint/craft project, or engaging in whatever mindful movement I am feeling like doing that day.
“Our bodies are telling the stories we have avoided or forgotten how to hear - and sometimes our inability to feel our feelings (the messages that precede the alarm bells) means that our bodies have to scream in order to get some attention.”
― Hillary L. McBride, Wisdom of Your Body
