As a first-generation Filipino scholar, Rea has navigated disability-related and systemic barriers in their pursuit of a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology. At the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, Rea was met with supporting themselves independently at 18 years old. Driven to achieve success in spite of these circumstances, they advanced their academic and professional career.
Rea began their clinical journey as a Registered Behavior Technician (RBT) in 2021, providing direct support for children and adolescents (ages 3–18) diagnosed with autism, ADHD, and other neurodevelopmental conditions. Most importantly, they specialized in working across various settings (school, in-home and out in the community) with clients who display aggression or antisocial traits. Now and again, Rea saw how dominant narratives can frame individuals who do not fit the norm as a problem to be “corrected.” This stigma sparked their lifelong goal in their profession: advocating for inclusivity that empowers, rather than overlooks, the lived experiences of people with disabilities.
Today, they serve BIPOC individuals through their internship at The Thought Loft, a mental health clinic based in Nevada, and in their self-employment as a Special Needs Tutor. Rea is also a research assistant at the UNLV CHAMPION Mental Health Lab, producing publications that address health inequities affecting marginalized populations. In parallel, they are conducting an independent research study focused on promoting healthier online environments and creating digital interventions that support mental health in youth.
