Hidden Gems: Meet Rika Lopez of Courage Restored Counseling

Today we’d like to introduce you to Rika Lopez.

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I believe my passion for mental health started in my own family upbringing. My parents immigrated from Japan in the late 70s and so I was born and raised in SoCal since the early 80s. Being a Japanese American raised by Japanese parents definitely had its challenges. It was not until my masters program at Azusa Pacific University when I was writing paper after paper about my childhood and family background that I realized there were actually many holes and gaps growing up. I never heard “I love you” or received any physical affection/hugs by my parents nor did I witness them kissing, holding hands, or hugging ever. As a child this was normal for me. However, as I attended therapy for the first time in my life (as 40 hours was required for my mft program) I soon realized there were many layers I had to uncover and heal from. My parents divorced when I was a senior in high school so I had to work through a lot of abandonment issues/father wounds in my early 20s til two decades later. One of the reasons why I wanted to become an LMFT is because I knew for myself that I had to relearn everything about what a healthy marriage looks like, what communication and conflict resolution looks like, and so forth. I knew I wanted to be a wife and mother one day so it was important for me to learn all that I can to understand and apply these skill sets, insights and knowledge into my own life. As a therapist who meets with diverse set of clients, I see how critical the influence and role of a father plays in the lives of children. Knowing my own background of “losing” a father figure in my late teens has given me a heavy burden for children and wives who are left alone to fend for themselves. Thankfully my story doesn’t just end with pain and suffering. I found unwavering hope and security in my faith and relationship with God that has led me to meet with dear mentors and leaders who took me under their wings. In fact, meeting my husband and witnessing his own spiritual transformation has impacted me tremendously. This outpour of love and support from my spiritual community including my husband has indirectly “re-parented” that young Rika in me to feel seen, to be known, and accepted. Lastly I am extremely grateful for my own mother who modeled deep resilience and perseverance as a single mother who ran her own business and provided financially for all my needs including my masters program. These key individuals have extended such unconditional love and care into my life that brought deep level of healing and restoration to those “father wounds”. Through my own set of ups and downs, failures and victories, trials and blessing, I feel even more driven to pass on my life lessons thus far, to those whom I work with in my personal and professional circles.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Coming from a family background where emotions and feelings were not discussed, I faced many challenges when dealing with conflict especially within the family. Any kind of heated arguments or tension felt like the end of the world rather than seeing it as opportunities for growth and maturity. After going thru such tumultuous seasons of ups and downs, I realized that it is ok to have some distance for an extended period to work on your own individual healing. I’d say it’s been a humbling process but thru my families shared faith in God, alot of my family relationships have repaired and restored itself in ways I could have never imagined. Things will never be perfect but I celebrate every win because that’s what matters at the end of the day. Throughout my life, I’ve seen a lot of grief and loss in my circle of friends/peers/classmates/therapists/clients/relatives and emotional grief dealing with my parents divorce/betrayal and even failing my mft licensing exam numerous times. Not to mention, my own sets of anxiety post covid was debilitating. In my 20s and 30s, I struggled a lot with trusting people, not knowing how to assert myself, feeling controlled by my emotions, and not knowing how to respond to those who want to get close. After going through my own therapy, meeting with spiritual mentors/leaders, going to prayer sessions, and spiritual directions, I have been able to discover my true identity and purpose that is unshakeable which has freed me from unhealthy and destructive patterns of thinking towards self and others. It’s never been perfect and never will be but I celebrate every small and big growths as much as I can. When I look back, many of those trials were filled with heartaches, but the truth is…I wouldn’t trade them for anything. It is thru these most difficult and painstaking moments that shape one’s character and integrity. When you are comfortable, you don’t grow and you don’t find a need to question your identity and your spiritual meaning/purpose in life. Without a doubt, my relationship with God and my spiritual community has been a huge cornerstone for me. Without it, my life would have turned out completely different, I know that for sure.

We’ve been impressed with Courage Restored Counseling, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
I am an LMFT (Licensed Marriage Family Therapist) and started my private practice called “Courage Restored Counseling” where I provide “in person” and virtual appointments since 2019. A few years back, I became a CSAT (Certified Sex Addiction Therapist) thru IITAP (International Institute of Trauma Addiction Professionals) where I treat individuals and couples dealing with sex/porn/love addiction and also work with couples for betrayal trauma where one partner may have lied, deceived or betrayed their loved one due to porn/sex addiction/infidelity and is now working thru alot of the trauma impact due to their actions. I am also part of a non profit Christian organization called “Fully Health” since 2020 where we provide faith based services raising mental health awareness to the religious communities like churches and spiritual leadership conferences. What sets us apart at Fully Health is that we are the only religious non profit in Southern California who provides psychiatric treatments in addition to mental health services. I am also a podcaster of “Faith & Feels” which I started back in Oct 2024 where I interview guests and have conversations on the topic of addiction and trauma as well as various mental health issues and spirituality. My hope and prayer is to reach the Asian American Christian communities who hide in shame and avoid any topics regarding sex and porn which is the very thing churches need to be discussing to bring freedom and healing to those suffering in silence. My experiences and specializations have also given me the opportunity to lead seminars, breakout sessions, Q and A Panels at the following events to name a few: EPIC CRU Conference, VAY(Vietnamese American Youth Leaders Conference), “Seeds of Hope” with Oak Health Foundation, Anchor Community Church Women’s Ministry, Renew Church of OC, and New Life Church of Irvine. I have also provided consultations and extensive documentations and reports for an Asian American mega church Pastors and Staff team on a case dealing with infidelity/sexual affairs. Not to mention, I was recently in an interview with Sola Leaders Podcast with my pastor (Pastor Wilson Wang) and church staff leader (Kristen Whitmore) discussing the topic of Sex and Love Addiction in the church.
Lastly, I lead a monthly support group for Christian women dealing with unwanted sexual behaviors like porn/love addiction. I am also a group leader and “supporter” for men/women on Relay App to assist them in their recovery work with pornography/masturbation. In spite of these experiences and involvement, I strive to learn everyday and believe there is always room for growth. I enjoy being stretched and challenged and seek to sharpen my tools whenever, wherever I can!

What matters most to you? Why?
My faith in Jesus Christ and my relationship with Him matters the most to me. I know for those who are not “religious” will have a cringe reaction but I don’t want to hide this part of me because it is such a huge part of me. People flaunt about their bodies, their image and how many followers they have but …I will flaunt about my hope and faith in Jesus. I became a follower of Jesus when I was in 7th grade. My friend invited me to her church and I just fell in love with reading the bible and getting to know this God of mine whom I’ve never known. We would sing worship songs at church and I just felt like my heart was just captured and pierced by something bigger and greater than myself. This love that was beyond human knowledge and wisdom completed me. There is a verse from John 15:13 that says ” Greater love has no one than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends” This is what the cross is about: Jesus dying on the cross because he loves us so much, he called us friends even before we even knew Him. Because of this ultimate sacrifice, we can be free and forgiven of all our mistakes and failures and be “made new” redeemed and transformed from our old destructive ways. We can even have a personal and intimate relationship with Him where we can talk to Him and Him talking to us. It’s wild, it’s adventurous, challenging, humbling, yet…incredible, nurturing, peaceful, reassuring, hopeful, beautiful, amazing, wonderful, truthful, uplifting, all put together. Knowing Jesus is all of this and more. I rarely quote celebrities but I gotta give props to this one haha..just like Justin Bieber said, “Jesus is the King of my heart” Yup, same with me no doubt, Jesus is definitely the King of my heart, amen!

Pricing:

• Individual Sessions : $175-$195
• Couples Sessions : $250
• Couples 3 hour Intensives : $750

Contact Info:

• Website: www.couragerestored.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/couragerestored/
• Linkedin: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/faith-feels/id1776011302
• Other: https://open.spotify.com/show/2sEbBPxAgt86ddbf5iA2je?si=5658b85a3e7f4623

Image Credits
Corrie Myhr