You’ve spent years holding everything together for everyone else…
Reading the room, staying small, moving fast to keep yourself safe. Even now, your body still carries that story.
Maybe you…
- notice tension in your chest, stomach, or shoulders
- sense the moment you slow down, everything you’ve been avoiding will catch up
- struggle to identify your needs and even if you could, you wouldn’t want to be a burden anyways.
And you’re tired. Tired of pretending, tired of holding it together, tired of outrunning the past.
If this is you, you’re in the right place.
Hi, I’m Natalie Reina* and I’m so glad you’re here!
I help young adults who grew up in chaos feel safer, calmer, and more at home in their bodies.
Many of my clients feel most grounded when they’re in motion. They’re hard-working, empathetic, independent, intuitive, and often overwhelmed by the pressure they’ve carried since childhood.
With me, you don’t have to be “the strong one”.
You can explore what’s behind the armor, at your pace.
*Registered Associate MFT #136910. Currently working under the supervision of Nicole Botaitis, (LMFT # 47319, LPCC #227) of Botaitis Therapy Group in Santa Barbara, CA.
What Working with Me Feels Like:
Therapy with me is active, warm, direct, and deeply somatic. I don’t sit back and nod while you talk. I’m in it with you. I’ll help you slow down, tune in to your body, and understand the signals it’s been sending you for years. We go at your pace, only talking about what you’re ready to.
Together, we’ll focus on:
- Feeling safer and more grounded
- Releasing tension and overwhelm
- Reconnecting with your needs and boundaries
- Being more present in your relationships
- Trusting your body’s cues again
My approach blends somatics, mindfulness, creativity, and movement when helpful, all grounded in trauma-informed care. I meet you where you are, and I push gently, only when you’re ready.
If you want therapy that feels embodied, empowering, and real, you’ll feel at home here.
Ready to see if we’re a good fit?
Before becoming a therapist,
I spent many years as a professional dancer. I also served communities across California through AmeriCorps, which helped me learn the power of community, collaboration, and social justice. These experiences shaped my belief that healing isn’t just cognitive, it’s physical, emotional, relational, and creative.
My own background, growing up between cultures (being White and Mexican), navigating family divorce, supporting loved ones through addiction, experiencing loss, working through anxiety taught me what it’s like to feel overwhelmed, responsible, and unsure of where to turn.
I don’t just support the changes, I’ve lived them.
And know how hard it can feel to take that first step.
If you’re curious to know more about my life journey, click here.
My Clinical Background:
You deserve to know you’re in qualified hands.
Here’s what supports the work we’ll do together:
- Associate Marriage & Family Therapist (Registered in CA, #136910, currently working under the supervision of Nicole Botaitis, (LMFT # 47319, LPCC #227)
- Master’s in Clinical Psychology from Antioch University, Santa Barbara.
- Training in somatic therapy, trauma-informed care, crisis response, mindfulness, and creative interventions
- Experience with survivors of violence, trauma, and high-pressure environments such as:
- Juvenile Halls
- Treatment Centers
- Survivors of crimes around LA County
- School Settings
- Community Clinics
My work focuses on building safety, empowerment, and embodiment for people who grew up too fast and carried too much.
Ready to get started?
Beyond the Therapy Room
My commitment to healing goes beyond individual sessions. I also:
- Advocate for the power of movement and mental health through my podcast, What Moves Us.
- Lead workshops and classes on how trauma affects the body.
Outside of my therapy work…
You can usually find me dancing, hiking, longboarding, or soaking up the sun. I love traveling, practicing Spanish, and exploring new ways to move my body and stay connected to myself <3
