Compassion Focused Therapy (CFT) emphasizes utilizing compassion to understand yourself and the people around you. It’s a good option for people dealing with shame or self-criticism that causes emotional distress.
Developing compassion for yourself and others requires practice. Practicing self-compassion exercises can help you manage shame and guilt, which can help you develop compassion for the people around you.
******Accepting new clients********* No one enjoys feeling trapped, incapable of escape, and unable to see the light. This is all the more true when the bonds of our entrapment are made up of our mind, our relationships, and our circumstances. While there is a limit to what each person has control over in their lives, many have control over far less than what they are capable of. My theoretical...
Beginning the journey of therapy can be a difficult process but incredibly rewarding and life changing; it can assist you to discover parts of yourself that you may not have known existed. Further daunting can be the unknowns of what therapy can look like. I hope I may ease these unknowns by sharing what you can expect from working with me. My approach to counseling is very collaborative, where...
Whether you have been struggling with issues like depression, anxiety, self-esteem, relationship/family challenges, or even if life is just overwhelming and stressful, I am here to assist you through it. Every life experience you have been through is unique to you, and I am here to help you identify your strengths to help break down the issues you are facing. Together, we will explore the ways ...
I understand that deciding to see a Psychologist is stressful and a big first step toward feeling better. I believe the benefit you receive from therapy is directly related to your feeling of comfort and connection with your therapist. I have a warm sense of humor and use compassion and sensitivity to quickly understand your situation. I incorporate a Cognitive-Behavioral approach in therapy an...
What brings you to my office? The answers to this question are as varied as are the people who seek counseling with me. You may have a problem or disappointment with your health, self-esteem/worth, relationships, school, work, mood, or boundaries. People reach out to me when, despite being very capable, they have not been able to get their lives on the course that they desire. I believe that th...
Healing begins with connection. We need these connections to not only survive but thrive. So often our connections our broken. I empower you to know that you are truly the expert in your healing process. Through co-creating a safe space that honors your infinitely unique personhood, while emphasizing the importance relationship has in the process of healing. Unfortunately, there isn’t a...
Actions are meaningful when inspired by values. If trauma, anxiety, depression, or addiction is troubling you, I would like to assist you in overcoming these issues and identify the life that you would rather have, if these things were not in the way. You deserve to be doing and achieving the things that are important to you. I take a holistic approach to counseling, believing you are already...
Healing happens when we have something larger than ourselves to grow towards. I believe that the quality of our connection to ourselves, our loved ones, and our community is essential to our well being. All too often, because of past traumatic experiences, unfortunate events, or simply because of an inability to communicate, we become disconnected from those points of contact. In my approach to...
You shouldn’t have to go through difficult times alone which is why my goal is to help provide you with a therapeutic experience that you need and want. You deserve time each week to explore areas of your life in a safe space and environment. Whether you are struggling with issues of postpartum, life-changes, parenting, family, relationships, life milestones (college/career), divorce,...
I have always loved people’s stories. Loved reading about them in books, loved watching them in movies, loved being a part of people’s stories. In college, I realized that I didn’t want to simply watch people’s stories from a distanced vantage point, I wanted to enter into their stories. I wanted to sit with people in their hardships and help support them as they face the specific challenges li...
***Please submit all appointment requests through FrameworkPsych.com*** Dr. Leal is a graduate of the University of Texas at San Antonio as well as The Chicago School of Professional Psychology. She specializes in helping individuals navigate through periods of high stress in their life. At her core Dr. Leal believes that every single person on Earth is truly capable of change. By using cogniti...
Do you feel lost and alone? Do things that used to give you pleasure only add to your anxiety and sadness? Do others not understand what you are trying to say? Do you mask your feelings in order to cope, and sometimes even detach from them altogether, when on the inside you feel frustrated, depressed, and even angry? Are you sick and tired of feeling this way? Together, you and I will figure ...
Therapy allows you a chance to press pause on your life and look at the places where you feel stuck. I love the chance to meet with those who are feeling lost, alone, afraid, or stalled in some way. It is a privilege to intersect with people in moments of deep vulnerability in their lives, and collaborate with them to get the right support, tools, and clarity to help them achieve their goals in...
It is my belief that offering my clients a nonjudgemental, warm and safe platform is priority. I feel that safety with a clinician can facilitate comfortability, which lends to growth throughout the therapeutic process. I value building connections with my clients and offer an unconditional positive regard. I place initial focus on identification of contributing factors to symptoms and behavior...
Are you living with anger, anxiety, panic attacks, or low self-esteem, and wishing you were equipped with better coping skills to deal with the stress of daily life? Are you struggling with chronic pain, grief, loneliness, or relationship challenges? If so, therapy can help immensely! I specialize in Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT), the pioneering form of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy...
