Lauren Esquivel
Hi, I’m a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in Texas, and I feel privileged to support individuals and families as they navigate life’s challenges, strengthen their relationships, and create meaningful change. With over six years of professional experience, I strive to create a welcoming, compassionate space where clients feel heard, understood, and comfortable showing up as their authentic selves. I earned my Bachelor of Arts degree from Texas Lutheran University in 2010 and later completed my Master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy at Abilene Christian University in Dallas in May 2021. My passion for this work comes from a deep appreciation for the connections we share with others and the ways those relationships shape our lives and well-being.
My personal interests include enjoying films with my husband—particularly Star Wars and Lord of the Rings—reading, singing and dancing in the car with my son, and telling corny joke.
Outside of the therapy room, I’m a wife and mom who loves spending time with my family and our two dogs, Minnie and Annie. My favorite ways to unwind include watching Star Wars and The Lord of the Rings with my husband, getting lost in a good book, and singing and dancing in the car with my son. I also have a soft spot for corny jokes, so you may find that a little humor makes its way into our conversations, too! I believe that meaningful change begins with feeling safe enough to be yourself, and I would be honored to be part of your journey toward greater connection, understanding, and emotional well-being.
First session
In our initial session, I begin by introducing myself, sharing my professional background as a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, as well as my personal approach to therapy. This introduction helps establish a foundation for our work together. I outline my therapeutic philosophy, which is rooted in systemic and relational approaches, emphasizing collaboration, empathy, and empowerment to support clients in achieving their goals. I explain the types of therapeutic modalities I may draw upon, such as solution-focused therapy, narrative therapy, or cognitive-behavioral techniques, tailoring my approach to the unique needs of each client. We will thoroughly review essential aspects of the therapeutic process, including confidentiality, its importance, and its limitations, such as mandatory reporting requirements or situations involving harm to self or others. I also discuss potential risks associated with therapy, such as experiencing uncomfortable emotions or navigating challenging interpersonal dynamics, to ensure clients are fully informed. My aim is to provide clear, transparent information to foster trust and informed consent. I prioritize creating ample time for clients to ask questions, voice concerns, or share any apprehensions about the therapeutic process. This open dialogue is critical to building a strong therapeutic alliance. My primary goal is to cultivate a safe, trusting, and non-judgmental environment where clients feel comfortable being their authentic selves. I strive to create a space that is inclusive, respectful, and supportive, allowing for vulnerability and growth. The remainder of the session is dedicated to exploring the client’s reasons for seeking therapy. I listen attentively to their narrative, allowing them to share their story at their own pace. Through thoughtful, clarifying questions, I seek to understand their experiences, challenges, and aspirations, meeting them where they are in their journey. This process helps identify their goals for therapy and lays the groundwork for collaboratively developing a personalized plan to address their needs. My approach is client-centered, ensuring that their voice and perspective guide our work together.
Strengths
One of the strengths I bring to my sessions is my ability to approach each person with curiosity, empathy, and an open mind. I genuinely enjoy working with people from diverse backgrounds and learning about the experiences, perspectives, and stories that have shaped who they are. Although our journeys may look different, I believe there is always an opportunity to find connection and understanding. I strive to create a space where clients feel safe being themselves, sharing the hard stuff, celebrating their wins, and exploring the parts of their lives they may not fully understand yet. I recognize that everyone's journey is unique, and there is no one-size-fits-all approach to growth or healing. I feel honored when clients invite me to be part of their journey, and I never take that trust for granted. I bring compassion, respect, and a genuine desire to understand each client as an individual, meeting them where they are and walking alongside them as they navigate challenges, discover new perspectives, strengthen relationships, and move toward the life they want to build. My hope is that our work together helps clients feel more understood, more confident in themselves, and more hopeful about the path ahead.
Ideal clients
I have experience in working with children, adolescents, individual adults, couples, and families as they work through issues of anxiety, depression, Autism, ADHD, behavioral challenges, and enhancing parental skills. I view therapy as an empowering process that provides people with opportunities to learn about themselves, make changes, and live the story they want to live. I believe that you are the expert of your story and that you have many strengths that will assist you in overcoming things that challenge you. I approach counseling as a journey towards something better. My goal is to create a safe, accepting, positive environment where people can explore their story as I walk beside them as a partner through their therapeutic experience.
Treatment methods
Narrative
I believe we all have a story about our lives. These stories are shaped by our experiences, the messages we receive from others, and the expectations society places on us. Over time, they can influence how we see ourselves, our relationships, and what we believe is possible for our future. In my practice, I use Narrative Therapy to help clients explore the stories they have come to believe about themselves and determine whether those stories reflect who they are and who they want to become. Together, we look at how these stories may be helping or holding them back, while making space for the strengths, values, and experiences that may have been overlooked along the way. I also help clients recognize that they are more than the challenges they face or the labels they may have come to carry. From there, we work together to build a story that feels more authentic and aligned with their hopes and values. This may include identifying meaningful goals, developing coping strategies, and finding new ways to respond to life's challenges. My goal is to help clients recognize that while they cannot always change what has happened in their lives, they can explore new ways of understanding their experiences and have a voice in shaping the next chapter of their journey.
Solution-Focused Brief Treatment
I believe that even when life feels overwhelming, we all have strengths, resources, and abilities that can help us move forward. In my practice, I use Solution-Focused Brief Therapy to help clients shift their focus from feeling stuck in their problems to exploring the possibilities for change. Rather than spending all of our time focusing on what is going wrong, we work together to identify what they want their lives to look like, recognize the things they are already doing well, and discover what has helped them navigate difficult situations in the past. Throughout this process, I help clients identify meaningful, achievable goals and recognize the small steps they can take toward reaching them. We also explore moments when a problem feels less overwhelming and consider what those moments can teach us. I believe that progress doesn't always happen through big, life-changing moments; sometimes, it begins with small shifts that build confidence, hope, and momentum over time. My goal is to help clients recognize their own abilities, find practical ways to move forward, and feel more empowered as they continue along their journey.
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
Sometimes, the way we think about ourselves and the world around us can make life's challenges feel even heavier. We may find ourselves caught in patterns of negative self-talk, self-doubt, or worry that are difficult to break, even when we want things to be different. In my practice, I use Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to help clients better understand the connections between their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors and explore how these patterns may be affecting their lives. We gently examine the beliefs and thought patterns that may be holding them back, explore where those beliefs come from, and consider whether there might be other ways to look at things. My goal isn't to tell clients how they should think or feel, but to help them develop a greater understanding of themselves and discover perspectives that feel more balanced, compassionate, and helpful. As we work together, we identify practical tools and meaningful goals that clients can begin incorporating into their everyday lives. I recognize that changing long-standing patterns takes time, patience, and practice, and I believe progress doesn't have to be perfect to be meaningful. My hope is to help clients approach themselves with greater compassion, feel more confident navigating life's challenges, and develop skills they can carry with them long after our sessions end.
Faith-based therapy
I believe hope can be a powerful source of strength, especially during the seasons of life when things feel overwhelming, uncertain, or difficult to navigate. For many people, faith provides a sense of hope, comfort, and reassurance that can help them keep moving forward, even when they cannot yet see what lies ahead. In my practice, I welcome the opportunity to incorporate a client's faith and spiritual beliefs into our work when it is meaningful to them, using these sources of strength to support healing, personal growth, and emotional well-being. Together, we can explore how your faith can help you navigate life's challenges, find meaning during difficult seasons, and reconnect with the hope that things can get better. This might include drawing on spiritual practices, connecting with supportive faith communities, exploring beliefs that bring comfort, or finding ways to lean on your faith when life doesn't unfold as you expected. I recognize that faith can sometimes bring questions and struggles of its own, and I believe there is room for those experiences, too. My hope is that our work together helps you feel less alone in the challenges you're facing and more connected to the strengths, values, and beliefs that sustain you. You don't have to have all the answers or know exactly what the next chapter of your journey will look like to begin moving forward. Together, we can make space for healing, rediscover hope, and explore the possibilities that lie ahead.
Couples Counseling
I believe that even when a relationship feels strained or disconnected, there is often an opportunity to find your way back to one another. Relationships can be complicated, and sometimes couples find themselves caught in patterns of miscommunication, recurring conflict, or emotional distance that leave both partners feeling hurt, misunderstood, or alone. My goal in couples counseling is to help partners better understand themselves and each other, strengthen their emotional connection, and find new ways to navigate challenges as a team. I draw from several therapeutic approaches, including Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Narrative Therapy, and Solution-Focused Brief Therapy, to meet each couple's unique needs. Together, we explore the emotions and underlying needs that may be contributing to conflict, identify patterns that keep you feeling stuck, and work toward healthier ways of communicating and responding to one another. We also focus on recognizing your strengths as a couple, building on what's already working, and identifying practical steps toward the relationship you want to create. I strive to create a space where both partners feel heard, understood, and respected, even when discussing difficult or vulnerable topics. Whether you're hoping to rebuild trust, improve communication, restore emotional or physical intimacy, or simply feel more connected in your everyday lives, we will work together to identify meaningful goals and develop tools you can use beyond our sessions. I know that reaching out for couples counseling can feel vulnerable, especially when you've been struggling for a while or aren't sure how to move forward. You don't have to have everything figured out before you begin. My hope is to help you and your partner approach this part of your journey with greater understanding, renewed hope, and a clearer sense of how to move forward together.
Location
Virtual sessions
In-person sessions29710 US-281, Bulverde, TX 78163, Suite 209