About Therapy
I have some perspective on what you’re going through…
… because I’ve been there myself.
In 9th grade, I inadvertently found my life path. I was 14 years old.
I had a “bad attitude,” and my mom took me to a therapist to help deal with me. She took me to a teen weight loss group. Weight Watchers. Then, finally, to my first therapist.
I braced myself to hear about all the things I had done wrong after I had shared a little bit. My 14-year-old heart stood at attention when my therapist suggested that I wasn’t the only problem. So began my road to recovery, as well as my trek toward my mission: to show, celebrate, and discover a path over my pain and destructive behavior.
I started to learn about how I acted out my pain. I learned that we seek and enter relationships that reflect that pain to us. That is until we heal it. Talk about it. Call it out.
“Family dysfunction rolls down from generation to generation, like a fire in the woods,
taking down everything in its path until one person in one generation has the courage to turn and face the flames.
That person brings peace to their ancestors and spares the children that follow.”
– Terry Real
I became a therapist to help others have the courage to face what has been passed down to heal in their own generational family of origin. My comfortable, casual, and inherently warm approach can make heavy topics (like changing your life!) seem not only doable, but enjoyable!
I was so afraid to begin to look at my eating disorder. But once I broke through that fear, I started my therapeutic journey.
I learned that most of my binge eating had to do with feeling powerless, trying to control outcomes, and living in fear. Somehow, it became less scary over time – like shining a light on an object in the dark rather than trying to guess what it is.
Everyone’s story is different. I want to hear yours.
You’re here because you need a new strategy.
You know what’s not working. Now you’re ready to know what will work.
You’re socially anxious, and you’ve tried to “get over it.”
You find yourself overthinking and unable to turn it off.
Although it feels good to have accomplishments, there’s a constant voice pushing you to go harder, almost relentlessly. But it is never enough.
When it comes to communicating your needs and wants, you are tired of feeling frustrated or defeated.
The sea is dangerous and its storms terrible, but these obstacles have never been sufficient reason to remain ashore… intrepid spirits seek victory over those things that seem impossible… It is with an iron will that they embark on the most daring of all endeavors… to meet the shadowy future without fear and conquer the unknown.”
– Magellan, explorer and a purveyor of maps
Starting on a voyage, we all know we’ll encounter detours and difficulties. In a sense, we’ll be exploring a map of these things.
That’s why you’re here… let’s embark!
Starting your personal therapy journey…
The unknown can be scary. It makes perfect sense!
You’re expected to open up about things that make you sad, depressed, angry, afraid, or anxious. You may feel reluctant or embarrassed to begin to admit things to yourself, much less tell someone else. Remember, I have been there on both sides. I’ve been just where you are as you’re reading this.
Here are some ‘knowns’ you can rely on! It’s nice to be able to focus on yourself and not have to worry about others. It’s comforting to be with someone who is witness to your struggle and who really DOES care about you.
People who become therapists can connect emotionally with others, to develop empathic bonds with them, and to hear about pain endlessly. It’s what motivates us, fuels us, rewards us!
Want to know what’s essential to creating change?
Lasting change is well within your reach.
Over the years, I see clients achieve the greatest success in therapy when they…
- See themselves as a work in progress, not the finished article
- Embrace and accept challenges
- Persist determinedly in the face of setbacks
- See their efforts as the path to their success rather than something predetermined
- Learn from observations and suggestions
We come up with a plan that works for YOU individually.
There’s no ‘one size fits all’ or canned approach to you feeling the best you can feel!
That’s why being a flexible and responsive therapist is paramount.
Different mindsets and emotional states have their own unique needs. With strategies to help improve the relationship and enhance client-counselor rapport. Maybe it’s creating goals and accountability to move forward where you feel stuck.
I believe historical facts like the family of origin, birth order, temperament, and personality play significant roles in who we are, but the power of mindset and a solid therapeutic process along the way to promote positive change play a role just as significant.
Every therapy session is unique and is tailored to the individual, including your needs, strengths, and goals.
For your first session, I’ll have reviewed your new client forms. After reviewing the paperwork and policies, we’ll talk about what brings you to counseling, your goals, and important background information. After the first session, our sessions will focus on the primary problems and concerns that brought you to counseling.
I love watching you succeed!
By putting in the personal work and bringing your all, your understanding of yourself will grow as you realize you have some unhelpful beliefs, ideas about the past, feelings to deal with, and some old ways of doing things.
Through therapy, my clients feel better, make positive changes, learn new coping skills, and find peace. They feel more confident, surer of their decisions. The downs they face don’t seem so exhausting somehow.
It’s within your reach to be the best, happiest version of yourself that you can be.
You’ll feel comfortable in the environment of trust we create together. You’re in a place where everyone can say the hard things, and you’ll be empowered to learn, grow, and believe in YOU!
Are you ready for the best part: I come to you!
I know that right now there are things that feel unfamiliar about therapy, but our work will take place in your home (or your setting of choice) – an environment in which you’re 100% familiar.
I became interested in telehealth a few years ago when it seemed like a natural fit to help clients feel as comfortable as possible with therapy. So, I invested in a HIPAA-compliant video platform (that means that you and your information are secure over the Internet).
Just you, a cup of coffee, your favorite chair… and the best gift that you can give yourself: believing in what’s possible for your life.
You don’t have to walk this journey alone.
Therapy is where we’ll explore all the thoughts and feelings you’ve been trying to make sense of on your own.
It’s a place to slow down, focus on you, and look at what’s stopping you from living your best life.
It would be my privilege to work with you in finding new ways to cope more effectively, so you can create your best life.
Call today, and let’s set up your free consultation: (469) 551-8419.
About Me
The most rewarding thing about being a therapist…
… is that I get to connect with you on a level where we can establish lasting changes.
My clients respond positively to our appointments that show them immediately the kind of environment and freedom from judgment that I provide.
There are tough questions, and that’s my life’s work. To stand by you in a courageous and supportive stance in your challenging moments inspires my work daily. You will feel well cared for and treated with the respect you deserve.
Here are some things about my professional background…
I received a Master’s Degree in Counseling Psychology from the University of North Texas in Denton, Texas.
After graduate school, I worked as a public-school teacher and counselor for 24 years as I began to build my private practice. As a part of my training as a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), I completed 3000 clinical hours working primarily with eating disorders, trauma, grief, anxiety, and coping skills. I received my Level One EDIT Certification (Eating Disorder Intuitive Therapy) in 2020.
I am certified bilingual (English/Spanish) and have upper intermediate/advanced proficiency (CEFR, France Langue) in French.
When I’m not at work…
I can be found enjoying time outdoors with my four year old lab mix or taking a yoga class.
It relaxes me to study art history, meditate, travel, and write.
It doesn’t relax others when I sing, but music is a huge part of me!
I’m learning to play chess, and I also channel my inner Bob Ross from time to time.