Frequently Asked Questions

Am I too far gone for therapy to actually help me?

No. And I want to say that as directly as possible because I know it's the question a lot of people are carrying when they reach out, even if they don't say it out loud.

I have worked with people who came in completely convinced that they were beyond help. That they'd been this way too long, tried too many things, hurt too many people, or were simply too complicated to change. And some of the most profound shifts I've witnessed have happened with exactly those people.

You are not too broken. You are not too far gone. You are someone who has been carrying something heavy for a long time, and that's precisely what this work is designed for.

How do I know if I have childhood trauma?

Childhood trauma doesn't always look like a single event. Often it shows up in the patterns of your everyday life, the way you relate to people, the way you talk to yourself, the way you brace for things to go wrong even when everything is fine.

Some signs that childhood experiences may still be affecting you as an adult: you find it hard to trust people even when they've given you no reason not to. You apologize constantly or feel responsible for everyone else's emotions. You struggle to identify what you actually need or want. You feel like love has always been conditional. You react to certain situations with an intensity that feels bigger than what's actually happening.

Is online therapy as effective as in-person therapy?

Yes, and the research supports this. Studies consistently show that online therapy produces outcomes comparable to in-person therapy for trauma, anxiety, depression, and relationship issues. Many people actually find it easier to open up from the comfort of their own space.

All sessions are conducted through a secure, HIPAA-compliant video platform. You can join from anywhere in Texas, your home, your car, your office, anywhere you have privacy and a reliable internet connection.

What is EMDR and does it actually work?

EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is one of the most well-researched trauma treatments available. It works by helping your brain reprocess memories that got stuck, moments your nervous system never fully moved past, even if they happened years or decades ago.

In practice it looks different from what most people expect. It's not hypnosis. It's not reliving your trauma. It's a structured process that helps your brain do what it was always trying to do, process the experience and file it away so it stops running your present.

Many people are surprised by how much lighter they feel after EMDR, not because the memory disappears, but because it finally loses its grip.

What if I've never been to therapy before?

Then you're in good company. Many of the people I work with are coming to therapy for the first time, and some of them are the ones who surprise themselves most by how much it helps.

You don't need to know what to say or how therapy works. You don't need to have your story figured out before we begin. The first session is simply a conversation, a chance to start getting to know each other and understand what brought you here. Everything else builds from there.

What can I expect in the first session?

The first session is less about diving into deep work and more about establishing a foundation. I'll want to hear about what's brought you to therapy, a little about your history, and what you're hoping to get out of our work together.

The most important thing to pay attention to after that first session is how you feel. Did you feel heard? Did the space feel safe? Did something about the conversation make you want to come back? That feeling matters more than anything I could tell you about what to expect.

How often should we meet?

Most people find weekly sessions most helpful at the beginning, especially when working through trauma or relationship patterns that have built up over time. Consistency in the early stages tends to create momentum that sporadic sessions don't.

As progress develops we can adjust the frequency together. Some people move to biweekly sessions once they feel more grounded. The pace is always something we decide together based on what's actually working for you.

How long will I need to be in therapy?

Honestly, it depends. There's no universal timeline for this kind of work and I'd rather be honest about that than give you a number that sets the wrong expectation.

What I can tell you is that most people start noticing meaningful shifts within the first few months. The goal is never to keep you in therapy longer than you need, it's to help you build something that holds up outside of our sessions so that eventually you don't need me the same way anymore.

What if my partner refuses to come to couples therapy?

It's more common than you'd think, and it doesn't necessarily mean couples therapy is off the table. Sometimes one partner starting individual therapy is enough to begin shifting the dynamic between two people.

If your partner is resistant, the best thing you can do is start with a consultation call and we can talk through what your options actually look like. Sometimes hearing more about what couples therapy actually involves, and what it doesn't, is enough to change a hesitant partner's mind.

Do you offer therapy in Spanish?

Sí. Ofrezco sesiones en español para individuos y parejas en todo Texas. Si prefieres hacer tu terapia en español, házmelo saber cuando programes tu consulta.

(Yes. I offer sessions in Spanish for individuals and couples across Texas. If you'd prefer to do your therapy in Spanish, just let me know when you schedule your free consultation.)