An Interview with Dr. S. Lopez De Victoria, PhD, LMHC.

by Dr. S. Lopez De Victoria
(Miami, FL )

The following is an interview by Dr. S. Lopez De Victoria, PhD, LMHC.

Stacey: Hi. Dr. Lopez thank you for participating in this interview. It is for a final school project. I am sure that my peers will enjoy hearing from a successful Licensed Mental Health Counselor and PhD.


Doctor Sam: I'll do my best, Stacey:


Stacey: When someone asks you how being a mental health counselor is different from being a social worker or psychologist, what do you tell them?

Doctor Sam: A Mental Health Counselor is similar to a psychologist but without the specialty of doing psychological testing. It is mostly and purely counseling/psychotherapy. Another label I use is that it is a "Mini-psychologist" degree since the classes taken are just about the same a psychologist takes but without all the training in testing and sometimes in psychotropic drugs/biological basis of psychology.


Stacey: Can you describe what a normal day looks like for you as you do your job?

Doctor Sam: 3-5 hours of non-stop counseling filled with deep interventions that typically heal massive traumas in peoples' lives.

Stacey: What court cases, public policies, and/or state laws direct what you do as a counselor? What regulations govern your activities and practice, particularly those that pertain to insurance and Medicaid?

Doctor Sam: Other than the standard state laws, I do not do insurance or Medicaid currently.

Stacey: * What theory(ies) inform your practice and why?

Doctor Sam: I am a combination of psychodynamic with a tiny bit of CBT. My methods are mine that I developed.

Stacey: How does understanding and respecting multiculturalism help you as a counselor?

Doctor Sam: I do not discriminate with anyone. I am Hispanic and bilingual (English and Spanish). I do, however, believe that the Multicultural movement is not a healthy one in that it tends more to divide and place emphasis on differences and divisions of culture. It is typically politically motivated and academia complies and parrots the line to feel good in their consciences. It is similar to re-cycling your bottles. It makes people think they are responsible when they are actually doing almost nothing. It is "feel-good" religion. :)

Stacey: How does your knowledge of human growth and development inform your practice?

Doctor Sam: Some. I teach that course. It makes me aware of the differences between adolescents, adults, and the elderly.

Stacey: How do you use assessments to help you with client case conceptualization?

Doctor Sam: I do not use assessments. I don't need them for the kind of practice I do.

Stacey: Talk about your experiences with referring clients for psychotropic medications. What advice might you give me?

Doctor Sam: I hardly refer for psychotropic medications because I am very effective in helping clients heal their root causes that normally take them to psychotropics. I've worked alongside of psychiatrists and understand well their value.

Stacey: What kinds of provisions do you or does your agency make for emergency response management? Talk about a time when you had to respond to a natural disaster or some other large-scale crisis. If you never have encountered one, talk about a time when you had to respond to a client-crisis.

Doctor Sam: Though I have had opportunity to participate in emergency management, I do not have the time it takes nor can I suffer the losses of my private practice that would be incurred.

Stacey: What is the role of accountability in your counseling practice? In what ways are you accountable and how do you address that accountability?

Doctor Sam: I have very good colleagues that I frequently consult when I need that kind of help.

Stacey: Reflect on how you determine when you need to seek consultation or supervision. Can you provide me with a specific example of each?

Doctor Sam: When I am confused about legal ramifications of cases and court appearances.

Stacey: How have you engaged in advocacy (for clients, for profession)? If so, what did that involve and how did it go?

Doctor Sam: I have done Affidavits that have been used in court on behalf of my clients.

Stacey: What are the most significant personal development issues you face as a counselor? How have you addressed personal and professional growth and development?

Doctor Sam: That is not a problem for me since I devour information in massive amounts and am constantly improving my techniques.

Stacey: Thank you for your valuable time Dr. Sam. You have given me something to think about regarding multiculturalism. It is being taught in our training however, you are the second professional that has pointed out the negatives of multiculturalism.
I hope that our viewers will visit your incredible web site and seek your invaluable services.


Samuel Lopes De Victoria
PH.D. in Family Psychology
Licensed Mental Health Counselor
National Certified Counselor
Bilingual (English/Spanish)
786.2997548
DrSam.tv