Hello!
My name is Brenda, but you can also call me Bren. I am a Licensed Professional Counselor and a National Certified Counselor. Basically, I am curious, and want to hear about you and your life! Starting therapy can be scary, and I am here to guide you through it. To learn more about me, keep reading…
My approach
Being my authentic self is important to me and I want you to be yourself with me. We often don’t get the chance to be completely open and honest in our society, so I hope we can create that safe place in our sessions. I believe that you are your own expert, and sometimes even experts need to explore their own ideas to come up with solutions to all sorts of problems or issues. I use aspects of cognitive behavioral therapy, dialectical behavioral therapy, and solution-focused therapy depending on my client’s needs. I often incorporate creativity, laughter, and games in session because I am a “big kid” and because it’s fun!
Who I Work Best With:
Children (5-12 yrs old)
Teens (13-17 years old)
Young adults
LGBTQ+ Community
Areas of Clinical Interest:
Self-esteem
Coping skills
Anxiety
Depression
Anger Management
Grief and loss
Trauma
Communication issues
My background:
For the past 7 years, I have offered individual and group counseling in a variety of settings such as a non-profit community counseling center, children’s bereavement center, residential children’s shelter, transitional living program for young adults, and in elementary and middle school, in-home, and through telehealth.
Growing up as a Nicaraguan refugee, integrating into first-generation Mexican-American culture in the United States, and being LGBTQ+, has given me a unique perspective that I believe benefits my clients who feel like outsiders. I graduated with a Master’s in science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from UTSA.
For fun, I love hiking, growing plants and flowers, diamond painting, crafting, and learning new things or trying new recipes from the internet. I love movies and my favorite genres are psychological horror, documentaries, and historical fiction.