Puerto Rican native bridges barriers as counselor

Wintery weather aside, four months into her new job as an in-home counselor, Kelia Rivera-Rodriguez said she’s adapting to life in Culpeper. She’s helping others facing various life challenges do the same.

A native of Puerto Rico, Rivera-Rodriguez said she’s very happy to be in Culpeper.

“I think it it’s a nice small town, I’m not used to the small-town feel, but I’m getting used to it,” she said. “I might actually retire in Puerto Rico, but my plan even when I was living in Puerto Rico was to be living in the U.S. by the time I was 30 and I’m 28, so that goal came true.”

While living in Coamo, a small city of about 40,000 located 30 minutes east of Puerto Rico’s second largest city, Ponce, Rivera-Rodriguez was invited to work here by National Counseling Group, specifically to assist Spanish-speaking clients. The private company provides mental health and substance abuse services for children, adolescents and families, and mental health support services for adults. She said ending up in Virginia was a serendipitous event.

“I don’t even remember searching for jobs in Virginia. I was looking at Florida and Arizona and North Carolina because that’s where I have my family.”

Krista Hale, site director for NCG in Culpeper, Rappahannock, Madison and Orange, said having Rivera-Rodiguez on board puts the company in a position to better serve everyone in the community.

Since opening their downtown office last fall, “What we were seeing were some people who could not speak English,” Hale said. “There’s a language barrier — literally, these people could speak no English. I don’t know how they do that, how they live here in Culpeper without being able to speak English at all. They couldn’t even call up to make an appointment.”

Since she joined the team, NCG has kept Rivera-Rodriguez busy. She has a bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of Puerto Rico and is working towards a master’s degree in clinical psychology at Catholic University of Puerto Rico. She spends about 10 hours each week in the homes of local clients.

Hale said there are some challenges faced on the other side of the table.

“We think that all people who speak Spanish have the same culture and they don’t,” Hale said. “Even though she speaks Spanish, she still has that to overcome.”

Hale said Rivera-Rodriguez also brings another helpful attribute to the table — the ability to bridge culture along with language. The Puerto Rican native knows what it’s like to live in Yankee territory.

She spent several years of her childhood in New Hampshire before returning to Puerto Rico with her parents at age 12.

“I don’t remember the cold,” she said with a laugh.

When she’s not working, Rivera-Rodriguez, a mother of 6-year-old and 3-year-old boys, said she enjoys movies and surfing the Web.

“I would say that I’m really inspired by her,” said coworker and clinical supervisor Jamie Clancey. “We are just elated to have her here. There’s definitely a need for a person like Kelia. We’re very appreciative.”