About Me

Meet your clinician!

-

Meet your clinician! -

A woman with wavy blonde hair smiling in a car, wearing a seatbelt and makeup.

Hi! My name is
Dr. Catarina Reyes-Santinho!

Get to know me by clicking on the icons.

  • I have experience in a variety of settings including: community mental health, college counseling, inpatient treatment center for Eating Disorders, and private practice.

    I attended the University of North Florida for my undergraduate education, obtaining my Bachelors of Science in Psychology. I then went on to attend Nova Southeastern University for their Clinical Psychology PsyD program. I completed my registered pre-doctoral internship and post-doctoral fellowship at the Florida Gulf Coast University.

    Go Ospreys and Go Sharks!! :)

  • My personal and professional journey has shaped the heart of my work, helping people heal from eating disorders, navigate complex family dynamics, and find their way through the challenges of life.

    As someone with lived experience of an eating disorder, I bring deep empathy and understanding to the healing process.

    I also understand the unique experiences of being a BIPOC individual within predominantly white spaces. This perspective allows me to create a safe space for all individuals, but especially those who identify as BIPOC due to the ability to relate to some experiences.

  • I am incredibly proud to be the daughter of Colombian and Portuguese immigrants, being the first generation in my family to have been born and raised in the U.S.

    Y, si! Hablo Español.

    Eu não falo muito Português, eu falo mais Portuñol.

My approach to therapy:

I believe that therapy should be a safe space for everyone, especially those from marginalized communities. Part of creating that safe space is being a genuine and authentic human. To accomplish that, I utilize humor and am a real human-being alongside my clients in the therapy room. Of course, I also use evidence-based approaches such as: Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Interpersonal Therapy (IPT), and Psychodynamic Therapy. However, at the core of my therapeutic practice is the belief that no matter the approach, without a strong therapeutic relationship there is nothing. As a clinician, I understand how important it is for a client to feel seen, heard, and appreciated. I love to celebrate the “little” wins in life, as those “little” wins are ultimately what brings us to a larger change. So often, these moments are overlooked. Part of my therapeutic approach is taking the time to embrace the small strides as I believe that can help us create a base of self-compassion that can trickle into our everyday life and not just in the therapy room.

*Photo taken in Ericeira, Portugal.

Beyond the therapy room:

When I am not in session, I love being with my dog, my family, and being in nature. I, unsurprisingly, enjoy going to the beach and engaging in water sports! I also appreciate moving my body intuitively with activities like dancing, weight-lifting, and walking. Lastly, I am known for being a HUGE Reality TV enthusiast. I am currently enjoying the Real Housewives, Below Deck, Survivor, and The Traitors! I will often reference memes and pop-culture in session, and that is also part of the therapeutic process!

*Photo taken in Playa Cristal, Santa Marta, Colombia.

Ready to Connect?

Book an Appointment