Lourdes Berlanga was born in Havana, Cuba, and immigrated to the United States as a teenager, bringing with her a rich cultural heritage and a resilient spirit. Settling in Miami, Lourdes quickly adapted to her new environment, driven by a passion for helping others and a strong foundation in faith.
Lourdes dedicated over a decade to teaching at Coral Park Baptist Church in Miami, where she imparted lessons on faith and spirituality. Her role as a teacher not only strengthened her connection to her community but also deepened her understanding of the challenges faced by individuals and families.
With a growing interest in counseling and a desire to expand her impact, Lourdes pursued higher education at Liberty University. She was drawn to Liberty University for its faith-based programs that aligned with her values. In 2019, she earned her Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Counseling Therapy, graduating with a GPA of 3.75. Lourdes continued her educational journey at Liberty University, where she is currently working towards a Doctoral Degree in Community Care and Counseling.
Lourdes’s professional career is marked by her extensive work at Meridian Behavioral Health, where she has held several significant positions. As the Clinical Director of Outpatient Services for Suwannee, Lafayette, and Hamilton Counties, Lourdes oversees multiple components of addiction and mental health programs. Her responsibilities include clinical supervision, staff management, budget oversight, and ensuring compliance with regulatory authorities. Lourdes’s leadership is characterized by her ability to plan, organize, and direct comprehensive services that address the diverse needs of her community.
Before becoming the Clinical Director, Lourdes served as the CAT Team Leader, where she led a multidisciplinary team providing community-based treatment to families with children and youth at risk of out-of-home placement due to mental health disorders. Her tenure as a CAT Clinician involved delivering intensive services to children and youth aged 8-21, focusing on Wraparound services and maintaining high productivity standards.
Her early career included roles as an outpatient clinician for Lafayette County Schools and as a Behavioral Health Case Manager at Citrus Health Network. In these positions, Lourdes managed large caseloads, developed comprehensive treatment plans, and provided evidence-based therapies such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Solution-Focused Therapy, Trauma-Focused Therapy, and art/play therapy.
Lourdes’s commitment to her clients extends beyond traditional therapy settings. During the COVID-19 pandemic, she adapted her services to include telehealth and community-based sessions, ensuring continuous support for families in need. Her dedication to professional growth is evident in her numerous certifications, including Wraparound, and her participation in various internships and practicums that provided hands-on experience in crisis units and family counseling.
In her personal life, Lourdes is a devoted mother to two adult children and a loving grandmother. Her family is a source of inspiration and strength, motivating her to excel in her professional and academic endeavors.
Lourdes Berlanga’s journey from Cuba to the United States, her dedication to faith-based education, and her impactful career in mental health counseling paint a portrait of a woman committed to making a difference. Fluent in both English and Spanish, she bridges cultural gaps and provides compassionate care to diverse communities. Lourdes continues to inspire those around her with her unwavering commitment to her faith, family, and the field of mental health.
