Hello, I am a Licensed Professional Counselor in the state of Texas. I have 9 years experience providing therapy to individuals seeking mental health support . Establishing rapport and building a strong, reliable therapeutic connection is important to me. I work to make clients feel valued, seen, and heard. My goal is to help individuals build self- awareness, feel informed, and empowered to handle challenges that present themselves while navigating relationships, work and life changes. In working with me, many are able to strengthen relationships with self, family, friends and/or partners. I am also provide gender and sexuality affirming care and specialize in supporting members of the LGBTQ+ BIPOC community. Additionally, I welcome and support neuro-divergent clients seeking neurodivergent-affirming care.
What can clients expect to take away from sessions with you?
During our first session, a client will share their presenting concerns, reason for seeking therapy and describing in detail their life story using a psychosocial assessment that entails medical, mental health, education, work experience, relationships, childhood experiences and more. We will then identify therapy goals to help guide our sessions. We will end with any questions the client has for me and addressing any concerns about starting therapy.
Explain to clients what areas you feel are your biggest strengths.
I have worked with many clients who have struggled with stress, anxiety, and depression; I find that when I encourage them to establish a healthy relationship with themselves, clients respond well. Many will focus on prioritizing their needs by communicating boundaries, expressing feelings and identifying challenges. Many of my past and present clients have found strength in their voice and value in their thoughts, feelings and opinions.
Describe the client(s) you are best positioned to serve.
I find that I am a good fit for clients who are looking to make measurable changes while seeking support, motivation, and guidance. I hold space for all concerns by using compassion, empathy, trust and full acceptance. I am also a good fit for those seeking to identify their emotional, physical and mental strengths so that they are more confident communicating their thoughts, feelings and needs.
About Veronica Garza
Veronica Garza offers therapy covered by UnitedHealthcare/Optum - Medicaid in Texas.
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VirtualMy treatment methods
Trauma Informed Care
My approach in working with clients when considering trauma informed care is that I take into consideration the entire individual's history. This would entail how they are in different settings (work, school, home, partnership, as a child, young adult, etc.). With trauma being defined as "a deeply distressing or disturbing event", we take the time to examine how past events have impacted their quality of life. I specialize in identifying a client's traumatic experiences and helping the client to deconstruct them and reprocess them so that they are able to feel less activated by past experiences and more in control of their present.
EMDR
I am trained in Eye-Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing. I have 4 years experience in using this approach and have found that clients find it most effective when processing past trauma. I recommend this type of technique for individuals who have an extensive history of trauma. I also recommend it to those who are looking to reprocess isolated incidents (grief and loss, sexual assault, car accident, witnessed a crime, etc).
Somatic
With somatic experiencing, an individual is able to allow the body to process feelings and thoughts related to the upsetting or distressing event(s). When details of your distressing event are shared and when the body is incorporated into the healing, a client is able to reprocess their experience in a way that feels liberating. This approach is used by inviting clients to build body awareness, understanding how it responds and how to return to their base (safe) state. Clients in my practice have discovered the ability to remain present with their nervous system while building tolerance for the unwanted physiological and emotional responses that have resulted from their distressing events.
Eclectic
Using an Eclectic approach allows the client to benefit from a variety of treatment methods that fit their individual needs. It is very important to allow space for treatment plans to pivot if the current plan is not feeling effective. The eclectic approach benefits individuals who have multiple concerns that need support. For example they may need CBT to help with limiting beliefs and need Somatic experiencing for helping the body release tension. I enjoy using a variety of methods to best support the needs of the client.