PART V: MOSAIC SPOTLIGHT

Mosaic Spotlight:

LUIS SAN ROMÁN

by Editorial Staff

Q:

Who is Luis San Román and what is your relationship to Mosaic Ministries at TEDS?

I am a tool in the hands of God, a husband, dad, counselor, student, family man and a dreamer. I was part of the Mosaic Fellowship Cohort from 2012-2015. And as a Mosaic scholar, I participated in many panels (e. g. immigration and racial identity) and served as one of the leaders during my last year at TEDS. That was when Mosaic Fellowship was transitioning into what is now known as Mosaic Gathering/Ministries.

Q: Can you tell us about your current projects and future plans? Currently I am working as a staff counselor at White Stone Counseling Resources, a Christian counseling ministry that seeks to serve the body of Christ. As a ministry, we partner with many local churches to allow God to use us as his tool in the lives of those who come to see us. I consider counseling to be the key component in understanding the underlying issues surrounding one’s emotional well-being. I work with individuals across gender, ethnic, generational and religious differences. My practice is informed by my faith and I believe spirituality can be a vital piece of the therapeutic process, when a client is open to the concept.

I enjoy working with couples who are struggling in their relationship. Whether that is a need for deeper emotional connection, sexual satisfaction, communication issues, healing from an affair, or other problems that are keeping them from having a healthy and happy relationship, especially a relationship that honors God. In addition, I work with men and adolescents/young adults, who are

dealing with a variety of issues including career, anxiety, depression, trauma, addictions (e.g. substances, sexual) and spiritual concerns. It is my desire to come along side of those who are hurting and help them move beyond their present struggles and develop a healthier and holistic perspective of their lives. I am dedicated to creating supportive, yet empowering relationships, that allow my clients to acquire the skills and knowledge they need to continue the process of healing.

Regarding my educational journey, I am currently pursuing an Educational Doctorate focused on Counselor Education and Supervision at Governors State University. I am working on my dissertation, “Adult Attachment Style and the Willingness to Forgive an Interpersonal Offense in Latino Romantic Relationships.” I hope to give a voice to those that continue to hide in the shadows to avoid being separated from their loved ones.

One of my future plans would be to become a professor and help train/prepare the future generation of counselors. As a counselor, I seek to empower my future students and clients in all areas of their life. As La Roche states, “Empowering gradually leads to desire to transform and improve oneself and one’s context.” 14 My greatest desire is to allow God to use me as one of his tools to bring people back to him.

Q: How has Mosaic shaped your life and work? Mosaic definitely shaped my life and work. One of the things that became evident through Mosaic is the love that the body of Christ has for our brothers and sisters who struggle with social and multicultural issues in their lives. Mosaic helped me understand the importance of advocating for those that do not have a voice. As a counselor, I am expected to advocate by promoting change in different areas and spheres. Whether that is at individual, group, societal, and institutional levels. Advocacy is “[a]n action taken by a counseling professional to facilitate the removal of external and institutional barriers to a client’s well-being.” 15 What motivates me about this is being able to give voice to the individuals that have “none.” I hope to improve the lives of everyone regardless of color, socio economic status, gender, etc. There are many areas I would like to advocate for, but the one closest to my heart is immigration. Due to many personal reasons, I hope to give a voice to those that continue to hide in the shadows to avoid being separated from their loved ones. For me, this is vital, as Smith, Reynolds, and Rovnak states, “oppression leads to psychological and emotional difficulties”, and it is “my responsibility to combat these social forces.” 16 I hope to do so by standing up for those that can’t for whatever reason.

14 Martin J. La Roche,

Cultural Psychotherapy: Theory, Methods, and Practice (Thousand Oaks, California: Sage Publications, Inc., 2015), 48.

15 Rebecca L. Toporek and William M. Liu, “Advocacy in Counseling: Addressing Race, Class, and Gender Oppression,” in The Intersection of Race, Class, and Gender in Multicultural Counseling, edited by Donald B. Pope-Davis (Thousand Oaks, California: Sage Publications, Inc., 2001), 387.

16 S. D. Smith, C. A. Reynolds, and A. Rovnak. “A Critical Analysis of the Social Advocacy Movement in Counseling.” Journal of Counseling & Development, 87 no. 4 (2009), 485.

How could we support you and your ministry? I would ask that you all continue to pray for me. Pray God will continue to give me wisdom, understanding, and empathy for every client that walks through my door. Please, also pray that I can take care of myself and continue to be the father and husband God has asked me to be. Lastly, feel free to refer anyone my way if you feel that I could be of help. Please know that I will walk alongside of them and help them in any way I can. Q:

How can people contact you? People can contact me by calling to 847.361.9696 or emailing to lgsanroman@me.com. Moreover, we have a website in Spanish, www.valorandolafamilia.com. And a webpage in English, https://therapists.psychologytoday.com/rms/name/Luis_San%2BRoman_ MA,LPC,CSAT-C_Palatine_Illinois_271284. Q: