Ana Perel
I'm a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who believes that lasting change begins with feeling truly heard, understood, and accepted. I work with adults experiencing anxiety, depression, trauma, life transitions, relationship challenges, perfectionism, and emotional overwhelm. My approach is warm, collaborative, and insight-oriented. Together, we'll explore not only what's happening in your life today but also how past experiences, relationships, and patterns may continue to influence your thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. I believe that understanding these connections can create meaningful and lasting change. I integrate evidence-based approaches such as Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Cognitive Behavioral therapy (CBT), mindfulness, attachment-based, and trauma-informed interventions. I combine practical coping strategies with deeper self-exploration so clients gain both immediate tools and lasting insight. Originally from Brazil, I provide therapy in English, Portuguese, and Spanish. I understand the unique challenges of cultural transitions, immigration, family dynamics, and balancing different cultural expectations. My goal is to help you build emotional resilience, reconnect with your values, and create a life that feels more authentic, meaningful, and fulfilling.
First session
Beginning therapy can feel overwhelming, and it's completely normal if you're not sure where to start. During our first session, my priority is to create a warm, supportive, and nonjudgmental space where you can share your story at your own pace. We'll talk about what brought you to therapy, the challenges you're facing, and what you hope will be different in your life. I'll also ask questions about your personal history, relationships, and important life experiences so I can better understand the whole person—not just the symptoms. Together, we'll begin identifying patterns that may be keeping you stuck, discuss your strengths, and develop a treatment plan that fits your unique goals. You don't need to have all the answers before you begin. My role is to help you gain insight, develop practical tools, and support you as you move toward meaningful, lasting change
Strengths
I believe that lasting change comes from both understanding and action. While learning practical coping skills is important, I also help clients explore how past experiences, relationships, and core beliefs continue to shape their present lives. By connecting these patterns, clients often gain a deeper understanding of themselves and greater freedom to respond differently. My approach is individualized because no two people are the same. I integrate evidence-based therapies—including Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), mindfulness, attachment-based, and trauma-informed approaches—to meet each client's unique needs. Whether you're looking to manage overwhelming emotions, improve relationships, heal from trauma, or navigate a major life transition, we'll work together to develop practical strategies while fostering meaningful, lasting growth. I strive to create a therapeutic relationship built on curiosity, compassion, and collaboration, where clients feel safe to explore difficult experiences while recognizing their strengths and capacity for change.
Ideal clients
My ideal clients are adults who want to better understand themselves and create meaningful change in their lives. They may be struggling with anxiety, depression, trauma, life transitions, relationship challenges, perfectionism, or feeling stuck in patterns that no longer serve them. Whether you're facing a current crisis or have found yourself repeating the same emotional or relationship patterns, therapy can offer an opportunity to gain insight, develop practical skills, and move toward a more fulfilling life. I especially enjoy working with individuals who are curious about themselves and open to exploring how past experiences may influence their present while building new ways of coping and relating to others. I welcome clients from diverse cultural backgrounds and strive to provide an inclusive, compassionate, and collaborative space where you feel safe, respected, and understood. I think this reflects your practice well. It communicates that you're a good fit for clients who are interested in both deeper self-understanding and practical change, while also highlighting the multicultural perspective you bring without limiting your audience.
Treatment methods
Dialectical Behavior (DBT)
Utilized individually and in groups for emotion regulation, interpersonal effectiveness, mindfulness base.
Acceptance and commitment (ACT)
Utilized for clients' exploration of values, acceptance and visual guiding meditation
Psychodynamic
Utilized to review the past and understand how it affects our present moment. Defense mechanisms, transferences and insights are explored
Attachment-based
Exploration on our relationship with caregivers and how it impacts our current pattern of relating to others in the present moment
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-i)
Exploration of thoughts, emotions and behaviors and how to understand and process distorted thinking which results in maladaptive behaviors
Location
Virtual sessions
Identifies as
Top specialties
Other specialties
Doesn't specialize in
Licensed in
- TexasLicense 107562