Today we’d like to introduce you to Wanda 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?
HerStoryInASmile is a testimony! Not only of saving my own life, but of women of all backgrounds and ages who are gracefully overcoming barriers, obstacles, trauma, and mental health battles every single day.
What began in 2020 as an internship community project slowly became a lifeline. In 2021, I officially named this movement HerStoryInASmile, giving language to something that was already breathing, healing, and growing. On January 11, 2026, this movement marked five years of advocating for women’s mental health and amplifying the powerful impact women have on one another through storytelling.
Through my own lived experiences and the stories courageously shared by other women. This space has grown across Instagram and YouTube, and through collaborations including articles and podcasts. What started as a way to reclaim my own voice became the very thing that helped save my life along the way.
This movement is a digital safe space I have prayed over time and time again; you can call it my mustard seed. One that I believe, in God’s will, will one day become a physical space: a center where women can receive the varied support they need to shift from surviving to thriving.
Until that day comes, may this remain as a safe digital space for women to learn about trauma and mental health, for others to understand its impact, and for women to feel truly seen, heard, and held.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Absolutely not. I am in no way glorifying trauma, but the reality is that complex trauma has shaped much of my life. It created obstacles that didn’t just delay my professional journey; they deeply affected my personal one. Trauma has long‑term effects, and for many years I didn’t realize how much it was influencing my decisions, my confidence, and the way I moved through the world.
It wasn’t until I entered adulthood and also being a mother that I began to understand the extent of its impact. Motherhood forced me to confront the parts of myself I had been avoiding. It revealed how much I had allowed trauma to hold me back from exploring my true potential. Healing became a necessity, not a choice. And while the road has been anything but smooth, every step has taught me resilience, self‑awareness, and the courage to rebuild my life with intention.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
Late last year, I stepped into my role as a Child and Adolescent Group Counselor. A position that has challenged me both professionally and personally. It’s my first job fully aligned with my long‑term goal of working in the mental health field, and in a short amount of time it has stretched me in ways I didn’t expect. This work has tested my patience, my willingness to be a beginner, my ability to learn and “fail forward,” and even my faith in myself and God in holding my hand through it. Yet I’m incredibly proud of these challenges, because they’ve shaped my growth. I intentionally use the word “challenge” rather than struggle, because each experience has strengthened my confidence and helped me show up as my authentic, compassionate, and professional self.
What sets me apart in this role is my natural ability to connect. I lead with empathy, active listening, and a genuine desire to help patients dig deeper: mentally, emotionally, and creatively. I bring my crafty, hands‑on side into group sessions, using art, storytelling, and interactive activities to help kids express themselves in ways words alone can’t.
I’m most proud of the impact I’m beginning to make. Even in these early stages of my career, I can see how showing up with authenticity, patience, and heart creates a space where young people feel safe enough to grow, reflect, and heal.
Are there any apps, books, podcasts, blogs or other resources you think our readers should check out?
Absolutely! I’m a firm believer in lifelong learning and in surrounding myself with resources that support both my healing and my professional growth. Books, especially those centered on self‑help, mental health, and personal transformation have played a huge role in my journey. Some of the most impactful titles for me include You Can Heal Your Life by Louise Hay, The Body Keeps the Score by Dr. Bessel van der Kolk, The Audacity to Be You by Brad M. Reedy, The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron, It Didn’t Start With You by Mark Wolynn, and Forgiving What You Can’t Forget by Lysa TerKeurst. Each of these books has offered me insight, language, and tools to better understand myself and the people I serve.
Podcasts are another major source of grounding and inspiration. I often listen to Wild at Heart, Captivated by Stasi Eldredge, Hindsightz, and others that explore faith, emotional wellness, and personal growth. These conversations help me stay centered, reflective, and aligned.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Linktr.ee/herstoryinasmile
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/herstoryinasmile
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wanda-lopez-64ba38132/
- Youtube: https://www.YouTube.com/@herstoryinasmile
