Individual Counseling.    Therapy addresses relational issues in marriage, social, & workplace,  mood disorders, grief & loss, adjustment, parenting, career conflict, self-esteem, eating disorders, and divorce recovery.  Hope is restored as options are considered and new patterns of thinking are explored.  Healing happens in a context of safe relationship.  Feeling better is possible as you risk change and let go of self-defeating beliefs.  Therapy is confidential, interactive, and solution-focused.  A counseling plan is designed to suit each client's needs and personality.  Goals are generated together during the first session.  Core values, forgiveness, boundaries, and assertiveness are included in restoring higher functioning.  We identify problems in the present and go back to unresolved conflicts and family of origin to create a stronger sense of self.  Cognitive behavioral therapy addresses distortions in our thinking that keep us cycling in depression and anxiety.  Changes in self-talk lead to improved mood, motivation, and healthy behaviors.  New perspective helps  to reach out and live our gift of life to the fullest.  Spiritual discussions are included in sessions at your request, and values are not imposed on clients.  

Couples Counseling.     Restoring love and healthy relationship involves healing from hurtful life events and increasing capacity for intimacy.  Goals are set in the first session to help resolve conflict thru mutual validation.  Affairs, abuse, depression, addiction, parenting, extended family, work stress, and loss are explored in a safe atmosphere.  Communication changes as couples become emotionally accessible and responsive to each other.  Emotionally-Focused Therapy has a high success rate for 25 years in improving couples' connection.  How you argue is more significant than what is argued about.  In therapy, vulnerable feelings under the anger are validated to show how each person is hurt.  Unmet needs are finally heard by turning a spouse into a friend rather than an enemy or stranger.  Couples learn LUV Talk (Smalley), a conflict resolution skill which helps stop the raging cycle of blame.  "Listen, Understand, & Validate."   Trust is restored by gently dismantling secrets and lies from infidelity.  Shame from destructive behaviors is addressed with unconditional love and forgiveness.  New boundaries, assertiveness, and letting go of resentment release couples to enjoy marriage as the safest place on earth.  Affairs are not "deal breakers," only refusing to work on it.  There is hope with all the water under the bridge... 

Women's Issues.     Confidence and emotional freedom increase as we heal from hurtful life events.  Therapy brings awareness to our need for self-care and encouragement to live assertively.  Unblocking from resentment and shame releases women to love strongly and pursue dreams.  Issues treated in therapy are relationships, depression, anxiety, abuse, codependence, career, divorce, single parenting, grief & loss, eating disorders, & low self-esteem.  Balancing life can create chronic stress resulting in depression and anxiety.  Studies show cognitive therapy can often relieve mild to moderate depression without medication.  How we think determines how we feel & act.  Sometimes, long-term chronic stress becomes physical.  Anxiety & depression symptoms are reversible when this happens with proper medication in addition to cognitive therapy.     When you change, others change.  Women grow stronger when unresolved conflict is processed.  Freedom is understanding what is beyond your control and taking responsibility for your part of the problem.  Overall well-being is improved as you get new perspective and feel empowered to make changes.  Joy to reach out to others can return...  Getting your needs met is important as you meet the needs of many others...  We need more balance to the caregiving...

Adolescents.    The most common trait of adolescents is extreme self-consciousness.  Developmentally, your teen has hormonal changes until the age of 20.  Physiological changes, social pressure, academics, and family conflict often contribute to their inability to cope.  Substance abuse, depression, poor academic performance, social stress, and family conflict are addressed in therapy.   Validation of feelings in therapy helps adolescents process isolation in social and family environments.  Unconditional acceptance is needed from parents as they face challenges in education and social development.  The need for parental intervention is significant and rewarding.  The most effective parenting style is authoritative, meaning love with boundaries.  The least effective style is authoritarian...not allowing honest communication to release anxieties.  Family counseling allows teens to express their frustrations.  Lack of expression anywhere can contribute to self-injury, addictions, and other self-destructive behaviors.  Teens discuss their fears in counseling as they realize it is not a place of  judgment or authority.  Art therapy, family counseling, and referrals to physicians or dieticians when necessary are part of a multi-modal approach to treating adolescents.      .

Contact Us:

Appointments: Click above link to schedule your appointment on e-calendar.  A reminder email and text will be sent to you.  Or call:   (713) 501-0663.

Location:  9525 Katy Frwy, S. 126.   I-10 @ Bunker Hill exit, near Memorial City.  Free parking. Private waiting area,  coffee bar. 

Hours:   M - F  12pm - 6 pm.

Fee:    $125 per 50 min.    Visa, Mastercard, AmX, Discover, Cash accepted.   

Insurance:  Not accepted; however,  clients with out-of-network PPO's  may file for partial reimbursement with insurance.  Call your 800# to see if your plan has an out-of-network benefit for counseling.  

A form is provided at each session for submitting to your insurance company.  Co-pays not accepted. 

Affiliations:

Private Practice since 2001.

• American Counseling Association
• American Association of Christian Counselors
• Houston Assoc. of Marriage & Family  Therapists
• TX State Board of Examiners of Licensed Professional Counselors #17184    Ph:512-834-6658
  
• International Board of Professional & Pastoral Counselors
• MA - Counseling, 1998
• BA - Business, 1978     
  

APPROACH:

An integrative approach is used including cognitive behavioral, solution-focused, and family systems therapy.  Emotionally-focused therapy for couples has a 25 yr. high success rate for restoring a secure emotional attachment.  Spiritual issues are discussed in sessions at your request, and no values are imposed on clients.  Psychotherapist means "soul servant," and is the role counseling plays in the process.  

Sessions are relaxed, confidential, and interactive. A counseling plan is generated at the first session and suited to client needs and personality.  Journaling, reading, and referrals to physicians/dieticians may be part of the multi-modal approach.  Art therapy is part of adolescent therapy.  You may request changes in treatment or goals and opt out of any assignment.  

Average number of sessions is 4 to 30, and counseling may be terminated at any time.

A Privacy Policy is given explaining Confidentiality according to HIPAA Law and outlines limitations.  Your written consent is required for release of information except in these cases.

I have experience in Group, Individual, and Family Therapy in a hospital setting, crisis intervention in homeless shelter, and marriage groups.  Workshop presenter for marriage, eating disorders, ADHD, and grief.  Private practice since 2001. 

Married 30 years, 3 adult children.