Counselor & Psychotherapist

​Natalia López Cruet is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with over a decade of experience guiding clients through anxiety, trauma, depression, relationship challenges, and life transitions. Fluent in English and Spanish, she provides culturally attuned, bilingual therapy to clients across Puerto Rico, with plans to expand to Texas later in 2025.

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Natalia is known for her warm, grounded presence and ability to connect deeply with clients from all walks of life. She describes her clinical style as “compassionate, collaborative, and empowering,” rooted in her belief that each person is the expert of their own story. “My job is to help clients see their strengths and reconnect with their own resilience, even when life feels overwhelming,” she says.

Education & Credentials

• Master’s in Social Work (Direct Service) – Interamerican University of Puerto Rico

• Bachelor’s in Social Work (Minor in Special Education) – Interamerican University of Puerto Rico

• Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) – Puerto Rico

• Pending Texas Licensure – Anticipated late 2025

• Certified Clinical Trauma Specialist – Individual (CCTSI)

• Certified Somatic Mind-Body Healing Practitioner

• Mindfulness Life Coach Certification & Mindfulness Blueprint

• Aromatherapy Professional Certification

• Certified in Substance Abuse Treatment & Non-Pharmacological Pain Management

Her Path to Becoming a Therapist

Natalia’s journey to becoming a therapist began with her passion for helping others and her own life experiences navigating family changes and personal challenges. Growing up in a divorced household taught her the value of emotional support, resilience, and empathy. Later, her experiences as a single mother reinforced her understanding of the complexities people face during transitional times and inspired her to create the type of safe, nonjudgmental space she wished she had when she needed it most.

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Her professional career began in high-stakes environments, including crisis intervention work and utilization management roles in psychiatric hospitals. These experiences honed her ability to remain calm and compassionate in moments of acute distress. “Working on a crisis line and supporting clients during emergencies taught me to listen deeply and respond thoughtfully—even when someone feels like their world is falling apart,” she recalls. This shaped her steady, reassuring style in therapy.

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Through her advanced training in trauma-informed care, somatic healing, and mindfulness, Natalia built a practice that bridges evidence-based techniques with holistic approaches, allowing her to address both emotional and physical symptoms of stress and trauma.

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Therapeutic Expertise

Natalia specializes in:

• Anxiety, depression, and stress-related disorders

• Trauma recovery and somatic-based healing

• Relationship counseling, including couples and polyamorous partnerships

• LGBTQ+ affirming therapy and identity support

• Life transitions, from young adulthood to parenting, divorce, and aging

• Substance use recovery and family support

• Mindfulness-based approaches to reduce stress and build resilience

Her therapy blends Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to reframe unhelpful thought patterns, Solution-Focused Therapy to build on strengths, Attachment-Based Therapy to improve relationships, and somatic practices to calm the nervous system and release stored stress. “Healing isn’t just about the mind,” Natalia explains. “Our bodies hold onto so much, and reconnecting with them is powerful for lasting change.”

What to Expect in Therapy

Your First Session

Natalia sees the first session as a chance to build comfort and trust.

• She explains her approach clearly, outlines what therapy can look like, and invites questions.

• Together, you’ll explore your goals, challenges, and the bigger picture of your emotional, relational, and physical well-being.

• She also uses this time to get to know you beyond your struggles—what brings you joy, what grounds you, and what you hope to gain from therapy.

“I want clients to walk away from that first meeting knowing they’re safe, understood, and have someone on their side,” Natalia says.

Ongoing Sessions

In ongoing sessions, Natalia uses a flexible, client-paced approach:

• Some sessions involve skill-building and CBT techniques for managing anxiety or depression.

• Others focus on deeper work, like processing past experiences through somatic healing or exploring attachment patterns that affect relationships.

• For clients who feel overwhelmed, she prioritizes grounding, mindfulness, and calming strategies before moving into deeper exploration.

Her sessions are supportive, steady, and designed to meet you exactly where you are. “I believe in progress at a pace that feels safe and doable,” she emphasizes.

Presence & Personality

Natalia’s personality makes her a thoughtful, introspective, and highly intuitive therapist. Rather than simply observing, she actively engages in helping clients uncover hidden patterns and connections in their stories. “I notice things that might go unspoken—the pauses, the shifts in tone, the feelings underneath,” she says. Clients often say they feel deeply understood, even when they struggle to find the words.

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Her nature is expressed through gentle curiosity, attentiveness, and an ability to balance empathy with insightful feedback. She helps clients feel grounded and validated while also offering new perspectives that encourage growth.

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Favorite Therapy Books

Natalia’s clinical approach is influenced by her favorite therapy books:

• Emotional Intelligence – Daniel Goleman

• The Body Keeps the Score – Bessel van der Kolk

• Feeling Good: The New Mood Therapy – David D. Burns

• Attached – Amir Levine & Rachel Heller

• The Gifts of Imperfection – Brené Brown

Life Outside the Therapy Room

Natalia’s life outside of work is rich with hobbies and family time. She enjoys gardening, writing, and reading, which allow her to express creativity and unwind. She practices yoga and mindfulness meditation, loves aromatherapy and massage, and finds joy in listening to music, from the storytelling of country to the energy of rock and Latin pop.

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Above all, she values quality time with her children—playing games, working on home projects, or simply laughing together. Her dog is a beloved companion, adding warmth and playfulness to her home. “These things keep me balanced and grounded,” Natalia shares, “so I can show up fully present for my clients.”

Favorite Quotes & Inspirations

Natalia’s therapeutic philosophy is reflected in quotes she loves:

• “The curious paradox is that when I accept myself just as I am, then I can change.” – Carl Rogers

• “The cure is in the talking.” – Melanie Klein

• “There is no person in the whole world like you, and I like you just the way you are.” – Fred Rogers

• “Humor is mankind’s greatest blessing.” – Mark Twain

Start Your Journey with Natalia

Natalia is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) in Puerto Rico, offering telehealth therapy to clients throughout the island. She is also in the process of securing Texas licensure, with plans to begin accepting clients in Texas in late 2025.

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She is in-network with most major insurance providers and offers a sliding scale fee of $70 per session for clients without insurance who express financial need.

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If you are seeking a therapist who blends expertise, intuition, and genuine care, Natalia invites you to begin this journey with her. Reach out today to schedule a session and take the next step toward healing, growth, and a future grounded in balance and self-discovery.

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