Meet Lorena!

Lorena Malave, M.A., LAPC

Bilingual Psychotherapist

Pronouns: She/Her/Ella

Positionality: I identify as Latina/Puerto Rican cis-het female. I was raised in a bilingual household where we spoke both English and Spanish, and I can provide therapy in either Spanish, English, or both languages based on the needs of my clients.  
My Background & Approach:

I am incredibly passionate about helping individuals, particularly women and BIPOCs, grow into the person they want to be and create the lives they were meant to live.

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You deserve a therapeutic relationship in which you feel empowered, truly seen and deeply understood. My culturally-affirming approach is guided by a sense of compassion, genuine curiosity, and social justice values. I use warmth, humor, and authenticity to build relationships with my clients where they feel comfortable to express their most vulnerable thoughts and feelings without fear of judgement or criticism. I offer support and encouragement balanced with the opportunity to look at things that may be difficult or challenging to confront. Together, we will co-create a safe, affirming and inclusive space for you to explore, heal and grow. 

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If you decide to work with me, you can expect an honest, non-judgmental, and compassionate therapeutic space where we can collaboratively work to:

• Gain a deeper understanding of your authentic self

• Replace fear & shame with self-acceptance & compassion

• Establish healthy boundaries that honor your needs and wants

• Address barriers that are keeping you from establishing healthier, deeper relationships

• Replace feelings of inadequacy with a sense of confidence and self-worth

• Explore your intersectional identities & heal the wounds of oppression and racial trauma 

• Clarify your values and create more meaningful, purposeful life
   

My hope is that the culmination of our work will lead to a deeper sense of connection with yourself and others and with more choice and freedom in how you live your life.  

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Theoretical & Clinical Orientation:

My theoretical orientation is integrative and influenced by Psychodynamic, Humanistic/Client-Centered and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy approaches informed by a multicultural and culturally-responsive lens. As a client-centered therapist, we will work collaboratively to set the goals for our work together.  As a strength-based therapist, I help you utilize your strengths and reconnect with you intuition and inner wisdom. Utilizing an insight-oriented/psychodynamic approach, I will help you increase an awareness of how your past (personal, familial and socio-cultural) experiences have shaped your current life experience. 

My clinical work has been heavily influenced by Social Justice Theory and Feminist Therapy values, and I support my clients in understanding how external social-cultural influences impact their lives: their identities, their relationships, their work, and beyond. I seek to empower my clients by exploring how dynamics of power, privilege, and oppression have shaped their lives and/or resulted in racial trauma.

Credentials

• Licensed Associate Professional Counselor:  Georgia #APC007050

• Working under the supervision of Anne Marie Dine, LPC in pursuit of licensure as Licensed Professional Counselor in the State of Georgia

Academic Training

• M.A. in Clinical Mental Health, University of the Cumberlands and Texas Women's University

• ​B.A. in Anthropology, University of North Texas

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Professional Service & Membership

• Licensed Professional Counselors Association of Georgia

• American Counseling Association

• Chi Sigma  Iota - Counseling Academic & Professional Honor Society

Outside of Work:

Lorena is an avid music and art lover who loves watching true crime docuseries as she cuddles with her 3 fur children.  On weekends she can be found eating ramen or visiting local museums.