Rosa Reyes-Santana, a bilingual mental health counselor, supports migrant clients in challenging times

The Hispanic Chamber Cincinnati proudly features Rosa Reyes-Santana in our “Kudos Corner” for her impact and the safe space that she provides as a bilingual trauma-informed clinical counselor at her private practice, Cordillera de Luz, LLC, and Catholic Charities Southwestern Ohio (CCSWO). 

The Cincinnati Hispanic Chamber Commerce, USA honors Ms. Reyes-Santana, MSW, LISW-S, a bilingual mental health therapist and a member of the National Association of Social Workers. Ms. Reyes-Santana offers a safe, non-judgmental space and supports diverse populations, including migrant clients, through these challenging times. Using a trauma-focused, client-centered, and strength-based approach, Ms. Reyes-Santana addresses immediate needs while fostering long-term empowerment and autonomy, improving clients’ quality of life.

We commend her professional abilities; she aspires to put into practice the core values of the profession, such as social justice, dignity and worth of the person, importance of human relationships, integrity, competence, as well as gospel values. Ms. Reyes-Santana is certified in EMDR Plus (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) Therapy, TF-CBT (Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy), with individual, couple, and family therapy, as well as support groups. She has worked with survivors of sexual and domestic violence, victims of crimes, trauma survivors, crisis intervention, living with HIV, dual diagnosis, substance use, major mental illness, homelessness, and pastoral counseling. She also has experience working with psychological, educational, and cognitive skills, recovery groups, psychotherapy groups, and as a trauma therapist for victims of crimes and homicides. 

Ms. Reyes-Santana’s accomplishments include receiving the 2020 Clinical Excellence Award at Butler County from the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI). She has participated in and facilitated various pastoral, spiritual training, and counseling/psychotherapy programs in numerous countries, including the Dominican Republic, Costa Rica, Panama, Colombia, Haiti, Puerto Rico, India, Mexico, Canada, and the United States. Rosa has also presented workshops on sexual and domestic violence prevention and response in Haiti, Mexico, Canada, and the United States. Currently, Rosa serves as a bilingual mental health therapist at Catholic Charities of Southwestern Ohio (CCSWO). Additionally, she is the founder of Cordillera de Luz, LLC (Private Practice), a contractor for Casa de Paz (a Spanish-speaking domestic violence women’s shelter), and a former contractor for the Ohio Domestic Violence Network (ODVN). 

In 2025, Ms. Reyes-Santana and the Latina Today podcast series developed a distinctive Spanish video/podcast segment on mental health and intentional self-care. This initiative, with the support of the Hispanic Chamber Commerce Cincinnati USA, was conceived with the primary objective of eliminating mental health barriers and stigma in the Latino community, raising awareness about the conscious decision to engage in activities that enhance the overall well-being, and promoting the physical and mental well-being of Latinos in our region. The topics currently covered are: Risk of harassment or sexual violence in children and adolescents (01/21/2025), Self-care as an intentional practice (03/05/25), Let’s talk about bullying (04/03/25), Let’s talk about suicide in adolescents (04/04/25), Collective grief (07/09/25), Survival strategies amidst everyday crises (07/17/25), Setting personal boundaries in daily life (07/01/25), Let’s normalize the dialogue about mental health (12/08/2025), Emotional management in conflicts (02/06/26), and Warning signs of suicide in young people (03/02/2026).

Born in San José de Ocoa province, in the Dominican Republic, Ms. Reyes-Santana earned her Bachelor of Social Work (BSW), Magna Cum Laude, and a master’s degree in clinical social work (MSW), GPA 4.0, from Barry University in Miami Shores, Florida. She also holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology (Honors) from York University, Toronto, Canada, and an associate degree in Mental Health Counseling & Criminal Justice, George Brown College, Toronto, Canada (Dean’s Medal). Currently, Rosa is pursuing her Doctor of Social Work (DSW) – Trauma & Resilience at Barry University, Miami Shores, Florida. She possesses over thirty years of experience in pastoral, clinical, and social work.

In her spare time, Rosa pursues creative writing. Rosa published the poem “Abue” in the book *Abuelitos*—released by the Grandparents’ Club of Buenos Aires, Argentina, in June 2012—dedicating it to her grandfather, Andrés Santana. She also published her first collection of sonnets and poetry, Rendijas en Divinos Remiendos* (2013), Rendijas en Divinos Remiendos II (2019), Caoba de Amor*(2021), and El Planeta en el Altar*(2023), which represent a continued effort to cultivate intimacy with God in everyday life. 

Image and post information sourced by Rosa Reyes-Santana, Pastoral Counseling, LinkedIn, MujerLatinaToday.com. 

The Kudos Corner, an initiative of the Hispanic Chamber Cincinnati, USA, and the Hispanic Chamber of Cincinnati Foundation (HCCUSA Foundation), seeks to acknowledge and honor the remarkable accomplishments of Latino individuals who have made a substantial impact on their communities.

Lorena Mora-Mowry, host of the Latina Today podcast series and a member of the Hispanic Chamber Cincinnati Foundation Board, is responsible for coordinating the “Kudos Corner” for the Hispanic Chamber Cincinnati’s website.