Individual:
Often I see adults individually who present with anxiety, depression, work issues, relationship issues, family issues, and life transitions. When experiencing these problems, many of my clients think they are the only person in their circle of friends or colleagues who has challenges. With that misconception, we tend to ruminate on our problems, which causes a “thought tornado.” In individual counseling, many clients seek guidance and feedback on relationships. Family, kids, spouses, friends, parents, intimate partners, and co-workers tend to cause worry or frustration in our lives, weather temporary or new. Many people experience stress and anxiety over issues for what can seem like a lifetime. In counseling, there is no topic of greater importance than what you are struggling with. Unattended stress, anxiety, and depression can cause manifest in physical problems and/or relationship issues with friends and family. In counseling, I meet you with unconditional positive regard and without judgement.
Childhood or adult trauma are other issues clients often suffer with. Many times, as we experience trauma, one of our first thoughts is self-blame and shame. Without treatment, these issues can follow us into all spheres of our lives, and often shape the type of relationships we choose to be in. I work with my clients to understand the difference between a trauma response or trauma choice, which can help you make more healthy choices regarding yourself and your relationships.
I am certified in CBT, DBT, and EMDR. Please see my modalities page for more information.
Teen/Adolescents:
When I talk to my friends who have teenagers and I hear about current issues affecting teens, I often look back to my teenage years. Although many of us remember middle or high school as some of the hardest years of our lives, both socially and academically, the issues our teens are facing are unprecedented. Many adolescents are still dealing with the fallout of online school during the pandemic. The feelings of fear, stress, and isolation of quarantine affected many of our children in a more substantial way than the adults around them. Teenagers tend to live their lives inside of their phones, comparing themselves to their peers, and even celebrities and athletes. One of the most important aspects to teenage life is acceptance and recognition. Peer pressure on social media and at school can lead to enormous amounts of stress, anxiety, and even depression. Conflict with parents is another large contributor to adolescent angst. Many times, breakdown in communication and understanding can look like anger or withdrawing from family. Many parents want to help their teens and don’t know where to start.
Unfortunately, many of the pressures teens and adolescents face are hidden in plain sight on social media, school, and even home. Although parent believe they are monitoring their teen’s social media and behaviors/feelings, there are many hidden pressures. Clinicians are seeing a trend in teen depression, anxiety, eating disorders, self-harm, and yes - even drug use. I have extensive experience working with teenagers and they are one of my favorite populations! A large part of the therapeutic process with teens is trust of their therapist/teen therapeutic process. When adolescents and teenagers feel comfortable in therapy, they are more likely to engage in work addressing their issues which they may not feel comfortable discussing with parents. Many teens are affected by change, adjustment, or issues in their nuclear family. Without tools to navigate the feelings and emotions surrounding events which are beyond their control, often times parents are confused and their teenager’s behavior can start to affect the adult’s emotional well-being, perpetuating a cycle of anxiety.
Many times, adolescent/teen therapy will lead to some sessions with parents or family, in an environment where children feel empowered to communicate their feelings in a safe and supportive space. Parental support of their teen having an autonomous relationship with their clinician will lead to more productive change and communication.
Unattended stress, anxiety, and depression can cause manifest in physical problems and/or relationship issues with friends and family. In counseling, I meet your teenager/adolescent with unconditional positive regard and without judgement.
With teenagers, I often use a hybrid of modalities, depending on the child and their presenting issues. I am certified in CBT, DBT, and EMDR. With my teenage clients I often focus on their communication strengths whether it is art, written work, or music. Please see my modalities page for more information.
Family Systems:
Family and intimate partner relationship issues are at best, complicated. Many of the clients I see are in active or past divorce with trouble communicating basic or complicated issues. Many times, parents are worried about changes in their children due to the numerous changes in their nuclear family. With small children, their worldview is limited. Some children will internalize family issues or disagreements as a problem they created and can solve. Although we understand as adults children are not in any way responsible for adult decisions and relationship issues, these internal thoughts can cause anxiety and children tend to hide these emotions due to thoughts of not wanting to acerbate the problems. In relationships, we usually mirror the relationships of our primary caregivers, which could be healthy or problematic. Counseling can help identify these issues which many clients do not recognize they are emulating in their parenting and relationship styles.
In relationships, we look back to the start of our relationships and wonder “what happened to us?” As people grow individually, we can feel like we are in a relationship with a person we don’t recognize anymore. Many times, couples have difficulty communicating this self-growth and the problems it may be causing in the relationship because we don’t know how to effectively communicate the changes without hurting their partner. Many times, we don’t even understand what has changed within us, if internal growth or changes are the cause at all. When our partner becomes angry, checked out or disappointed, we can feel internal shame causing us to spin in a shame spiral which can look like anxiety, depression, and fear of failure. Sometimes, it can be best to end a relationship. I aim to work with my clients to discern the individual needs of each member. Perhaps the problem is communication and understanding their partner’s point of view. Many times, partners can become defensive which can cause an even bigger breakdown in communication leaving both parties angry and sad.
Outside changes to families can cause great strife within families. Loss or change in employment or salary, addition of parents or other family members to the household, or large decisions being made unilaterally can rock the foundation of trust and cause strife within the household. Sitting with a counselor who can facilitate communication and sometimes serve as a mediatory in conflict can be beneficial in dealing with these problems.
If a marriage or relationship has ended, feelings of resentment and lack of trust can make it difficult to co-parent and communicate needs of children and the continued relationship needed to co-parent. This can seem like one of the most difficult issues with divorced families as the respectful and effective co-parenting is required with underlying issues of lack of trust and resentment. Counseling can be very beneficial to navigate these underlying and current issues.
Many times, parents want to seek counseling of the affected children as well as counseling for parental issues. These counseling relationships can be evaluated case by case. Often with familial issues, I will recommend a session or evolution into family therapy where all parties, including minor children are involved to communicate the positive evolution and process underlying issues which may not be presenting issues, allowing the family to establish trust and safety within the family unit, no matter which stage the family is currently in.
I see many family members who begin to self-medicate with alcohol, substances, anger, or withdrawal. These issues can be addressed in individual therapy, providing the affected family member coping strategies which are not self-destructive. These reactions to stress and shame are not uncommon and it may take a while for the family member to decide they are ready to begin individual counseling to address these issues. This does not necessarily mean the family member does not see this behavior as unimportant; rather, they need to find the inner strength to get to a point of willingness to address these problems.
With families, I often use a hybrid of modalities, depending on the presenting issues. I am certified in CBT, DBT, and EMDR, Bowen Family systems, Milan Therapy, Structural Therapy, Narrative Therapy, Transgenerational Therapy, Imago Therapy, amongst many others. Please see my modalities page for more information.
Addiction/Substance Abuse:
Substance and Alcohol abuse comes with so many stigmas. Even in 2024, when some healthcare providers claim to be able to assist patients needing help, most are stuck wondering who to call or what referral to make. I have worked with clients diagnosed with Substance Use Disorder and Dual Diagnoses for my entire career. Many times, I find the substance use is the symptom of the underlying problem, rather than the problem itself. When working with clients who are in active addiction, it is most important to address the substance use first. Without eliminating the addictive behavior, work on underlying causes and problems cannot effectively be treated through counseling. I am able to help my clients curb the behavior before we start intensive work, and I also work with a number of detox facilities who can assist, depending on the level of addiction and use.
Finding a counselor who is a Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor in addition to a Licensed Professional Counselor provides a clinician who is educated and experienced in the use, abuse, and scientific effects of different substances, proving the client a knowledgeable and educated clinician in not just substance use, but who is also able to work with clients who meet the criteria for dual-diagnosis. It is rare for a client to have one presenting problem - addiction. Often times, substances are used as a self-medication to deal with another symptom causing mental anguish. By identifying the underlying problems and diagnoses, I can work with the client to address not only their use, but also the life, relationship, anxiety, or depressive issues causing the start to self-medicating. Many clients are genetically pre-disposed to addiction. Combined with environmental (nature and nurture) issues, a perfect storm ban begin to brew.
Many of my clients are transitioning from treatment centers or dealing with work issues, relationship issues, or family consequences of their substance use. Many of my clients begin therapy with intense feelings of shame and failure. By identifying underlying problems, we can work together to address these problems and develop strategies, supported by your clinician, to regain power over your life, one tiny step at a time.
I have wonderful relationships with treatment centers in Texas and all over the United States. Many of my clients are working through transitions of returning home to a different family structure and are learning to live consciously and intentionally sober for the first time in their lives. Beginning the journey to change your life and face your problems without self-medication can be terrifying. There are far many more unknowns than the routine we have become familiar with. The choice to make a life-altering change is difficult, but important for yourself and your relationships with others.
I understand and respect the first step of seeking counseling, and I am supportive and engaged with the confidence and fear that you have had to overcome. One of my strongest philosophies is: You are more than your past experiences. They are a portion of what has developed you, but you are so much more than the sum of your past feelings and actions stemming from shame, numbness, and destruction. This one step is so important for your mental and physical health, and you are 100% worth the work and evolution. You are here for a reason. Lets work together to find your purpose and charge towards it.
I also am very familiar with support and recovery groups, including step work, which can be an overwhelming and honest examination of where you have been, where you are, and who you want to become in this journey. I am here to support your victories and work with you if you trip and fall. With a supportive and knowledgeable clinician, we will work together through this process. Many times, this can involve referrals to primary care physicians and coordination with medical psychiatrists.
I see many many family members of the client who exhibit anger, frustration, and a sense of betrayal. If family therapy is wanted by the client, these issues can be addressed in therapy, providing the affected family members education about the disease of addiction, and knowledge about your personal process of growth. Change does not happen overnight, and many times it can take time for families to re-establish trust. By working with a clinician regularly, many partners see this choice of self-growth as a brave and important step towards recovery. I am here to support my clients in any way I can, in the process which benefits them the most.
With clients suffering from addiction, I often use a hybrid of modalities, depending on the presenting issues. I am certified in CBT, DBT, and EMDR, Structural Therapy, Narrative Therapy, step work, Adlerian, and Gestalt amongst many others. Please see my modalities page for more information.