Andrea Lopes

You, the client, are the only one who truly knows who you are and what you need in your life. Life coaches are simply experts in well-established coaching processes, helping you discover what your own personal “best” might be. Every day we make choices to do or not do many things. These choices may range from profound to trivial and each choice, each decision has an effect that makes our lives either more fulfilling or less fulfilling, more balanced or less balanced, that makes progress towards our goals more effective or less effective. Life coaching helps you develop a strategy to set and achieve goals to create the life you truly desire and to learn how to make choices for an effective, balanced and fulfilling life.

For more than 25 years I have committed my personal and professional life to working with people to ease their pain, feel empowered, and learn to love themselves. During this time,I have had gained invaluable experience in a number of clinical mental health capacities. I am privileged and proud to offer clients a uniquely holistic approach to counseling and wellness.

After completing my education, I began my professional career as a crisis therapist in a hospital emergency room. It was there that I saw people at their most vulnerable and desperate. I learned that the most effective and therapeutic response is to demonstrate genuine respect for the circumstances and needs of each individual, while actively listening and offering encouragement and hope.

I spent the past 10 years as the co-owner of a psychiatric and counseling center, building a successful practice and juggling the daily duties of business ownership, giving back to the local community, and practicing what I loved to do most, providing therapy and support to my clients. Throughout my professional career my strong belief in the interconnection between our mind and body compelled me to learn more about holistic approaches to mental, physical, and emotional wellness. This is what inspired me to open Flourish Counseling and Wellness Center in Olney, MD in November, 2017.

After 25 years as a psychotherapist I decided to build upon that experience to become a certified life coach, providing people with the tools and personal support needed to make significant positive changes in their lives. My strong empathetic nature helps build rapport and trust by tuning into and appreciating feelings, hopes and fears. I offer clients an ability to see beyond the self-limiting beliefs that hold people back, and bring creativity to helping people find their strengths and turn their goals into reality.

I am trained in several mind/body techniques including Emotional Freedom Technique and Reiki.   I incoroporate these tecnhiques in my coaching work to help facilitate positive change.