Luz Marina López shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Good morning Luz Marina, it’s such a great way to kick off the day – I think our readers will love hearing your stories, experiences and about how you think about life and work. Let’s jump right in? When was the last time you felt true joy?
The last time I felt true joy was during a recent camping trip to the Smoky Mountains with my husband, cousin, niece, nephew, and our two dogs—all squeezed into a one-bedroom 5th wheeler. It was tight, had poor Wi-Fi, and limited resources, but being unplugged and present with family was refreshing. I remember watching my nephew, who’s about to start high school, laughing and just being so happy. That night, I found myself thanking God for the moment—it reminded me how meaningful it is to slow down and be together.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m a mental health counselor specializing in trauma, anxiety, depression, and marriage issues. What makes my approach unique is that I go beyond theory—I focus on the anatomy of emotions, the mind-body connection, and root causes. As a Christian counselor, I also integrate faith, recognizing the deep connection between mind, body, and soul. I believe healing happens when we stop just coping and start understanding—and that lasting change comes from addressing the whole person, not just isolated symptoms.
Okay, so here’s a deep one: Who taught you the most about work?
My biggest inspiration when it comes to work is my mom. She immigrated from Mexico as a single mother and worked tirelessly to provide for my sister and me. Despite long hours, she never complained—she even attended community classes at night to learn English. Over time, she saved enough to buy a home and always reminded me that with hard work and dedication, anything is possible. She lost her mother at 11, yet has shown incredible strength and resilience ever since. Her example continues to shape how I show up in both life and work
What did suffering teach you that success never could?
Suffering has a way of shaping us in ways success never could. Some of the most meaningful growth—and the most powerful stories—are born out of pain. It humbles us, deepens our empathy, and opens the door to real transformation. In my work as a therapist, I often remind clients that their pain isn’t the end of their story—it might be the beginning of something sacred. When we stop running from suffering and start listening to it, it can lead us to healing, clarity, and a deeper connection with ourselves, with others, and with God.
So a lot of these questions go deep, but if you are open to it, we’ve got a few more questions that we’d love to get your take on. Where are smart people getting it totally wrong today?
Smart people today are getting it wrong by abandoning common sense and accepting the idea that truth is purely subjective. I saw this clearly when I worked at a treatment center for eating disorders. Some of the young women I treated were dangerously underweight, facing serious medical complications, and yet deeply believed they were overweight. Despite how strongly they felt it, we were never encouraged to affirm that as their ‘truth’—because doing so would have been harmful, even life-threatening. And yet, in other areas of mental health and society, we’re now being told to affirm every personal belief as truth, no matter how disconnected it is from reality, and very smart people are repeating these ideas. As a therapist, I can’t in good conscience do that. I believe in compassion, but also in telling the truth—because when we affirm distortions to avoid discomfort, we may win cultural approval, but we risk harming the people we’re supposed to help. Real healing begins when we stop lying to ourselves and start facing what’s real.
Thank you so much for all of your openness so far. Maybe we can close with a future oriented question. What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
You know, when I think about the story people might tell about me after I’m gone, I honestly hope it’s not really about me at all. I’d love for people to say, “She pointed me to Christ.” Because at the end of the day, life is short, but eternity is forever.
From a counselor’s perspective, I spend a lot of time helping people navigate anxiety, relationships, and the stresses of everyday life. But my deepest hope is that people walk away not just with coping tools, but with a sense that there’s real peace and healing found in Christ. I don’t want to be remembered for having all the right answers, but for reminding people of the One who is the answer.
If someone could look back and say, “Because of a conversation with her, I saw that faith in Jesus was simple, practical, and life-giving,”—that would be the story worth telling. My life isn’t perfect, but my He is, and He’s the one I want my story to point to.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://luzmlopeztherapy.com
- Instagram: @luzmlopeztherapy
Image Credits
Jainiz Sanchez was the photographer, I have rights to the pics
