Life is hard. Making decisions is hard. Going through it all can really suck when you feel unsure of yourself or your direction. You might find yourself thinking, “Part of me wants to stick with my career, but another part wants to try something different. Then another part feels irritated because I can’t make up my mind!”

This is where I can help. As a Level 1 Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapist, I specialize in helping you connect with your inner world—the parts of you that feel conflicted, uncertain, or stuck. We all have an inner “family” of different parts and perspectives that are not always pleasant or in agreement. My role is to help you to get to know these parts, build a healthier relationship with them, and discover clarity and healing from within.

I am happy to work with a number of issues or to provide a referral if I’m not the one for your particular concern. I’ve worked successfully with anxiety, depression, trauma, relationships, and self-esteem. However, my specific specialty areas are:

·      People facing life transitions

·      Veterans adjusting to civilian life

·      Teachers considering a career change

·      LGBTQ+ folks seeking authenticity in their lives

·      Individuals considering a life of sobriety

Deciding whether you feel comfortable with a therapist often starts with knowing a little about them. So, here’s my story:

 I am a white, Mexican-American, lesbian, cisgender woman from a lower-middle class background in Leander, Texas. I am also a proud car singer, a persistent fingernail picker, and recently discovered I am neurodivergent (!).

I took a crooked path to counseling.

I left Texas for military service, and I planned to sail the seas with the US Navy forever. I quickly came home a disabled veteran though, with no real clue as to who I was or what my future held.

In time, I discovered a desire to help teens transition into adulthood and their own lives of service, so I became a high school history teacher. It was there, at Success High School, that I realized the emotional weight my kiddos carried far outweighed their academic struggles. I wanted to help them carry it, but I didn’t know if I had a voice or how I might use it.

During this period, I was seeing my own therapist for panic attacks and substance use disorder. It took some time to become better at helping myself, but when I broke through to the other side, I found that I did have a voice and a deeper understanding of how I could help others. Since then, I’ve been on a path toward independent licensure as a therapist, driven by a desire to support others in their own journeys.    

My counseling philosophy is pretty simple: everyone deserves a space where they can be authentically themselves, explore their inner wisdom, and navigate life’s transitions without fear of judgment. I bring the skills and tools of counseling, but you are the true expert on your life. It’s my job to walk with you, to help you carry the weight of your challenges for a while, and to help you tap into your own inner world and resources. Together, we'll create a path forward that honors who you are and where you want to go.

I encourage you to reach out to me (and several other counselors) for a consultation at no charge. We can talk about what you’re looking for and see if we’re a comfortable fit. If it feels right, I’d be happy to support you on your path.