Paola Velazquez
Hello! I am a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) based in Texas. I received my Master's degree in Texas A&M International University and I have been practicing for 5 years. I seek to empower my clients by helping them realize the great resources they already have access to within themselves.
It is really important for me that you feel safe and comfortable during the sessions, also give you a space were you can open up and be yourself and feel heard.
I serve individuals that have been struggling with anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, and any other difficulties that are not allowing them to enjoy life. I seek to assist clients to have a better understanding on their thoughts, feelings, needs and values in order to understand what the next steps will be and what tools with be better suited for them.
First session
In out first session together, we will start by knowing each other and answer any questions you my have. I know coming to counseling can be scary some time and we do not know what to expect, I want to make sure we create a safe space where I can start learning your life story and how I can help you during this process of therapy. Learning about your life story can help me understand the challenges you have been experiencing and we will create a plan on how to face them.
Strengths
I have been described as reliable, empathetic, and intuitive. Former clients have mentioned they feel welcomed and easily connected with me including feeling heard, and not judged. It is really important for me that you feel safe and comfortable during the sessions, also give you a space were you can open up and be yourself and feel heard. It is one of my goals to empower people to believe on themselves and be able to recognize they are capable of confront their biggest challenges. Call me for a free consultation, I look forward working with you and be part of your journey.
Ideal clients
My clients are wanting to have a change on their life, but they do not know where to begin and not yet have tools to complete their goals. I have noticed they often feel stuck not knowing what the next step is or how they can feel better with themselves. They can feel anxious about how to improve their life. Some clients have been feeling depressed after experiencing hard situations and forget the value they have on themselves and the fact they are more than what happened to them.
Treatment methods
Acceptance and commitment (ACT)
I use ACT to help clients build psychological flexibility and move toward a life aligned with their values. Together, we explore difficult thoughts and emotions without judgment, learn skills for grounding and acceptance, and identify the actions that support the kind of life you want to create. ACT helps clients reduce avoidance, increase resilience, and respond to anxiety or intrusive thoughts with clarity rather than fear. I integrate ACT with ERP, EMDR, and CPT to support both emotional regulation and meaningful behavior change.
Cognitive Processing (CPT)
I use Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) to help clients identify and shift unhelpful beliefs that developed after traumatic or distressing experiences. Together, we explore patterns such as self‑blame, guilt, or “stuck points,” and work toward more balanced, compassionate, and accurate ways of understanding what happened. CPT helps clients reduce distress, increase emotional regulation, and reconnect with a sense of safety and self‑trust.
Person-centered (Rogerian)
I use a person‑centered approach as the foundation of my work. This means therapy is collaborative, respectful, and guided by your lived experience. I focus on creating a safe, non‑judgmental space where you feel heard and understood, and I tailor interventions like EMDR, CPT, ERP, and ACT to your unique needs and goals. Person‑centered care ensures that treatment feels supportive, empowering, and grounded in your strengths.
EMDR
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is one of the core modalities I use to help clients process distressing memories, beliefs, and sensations that continue to affect their daily life. During EMDR, I guide you through structured phases that include identifying target memories, exploring the beliefs connected to them, strengthening regulation skills, and using bilateral stimulation to support the brain’s natural ability to heal. This process helps reduce emotional intensity, increase regulation, and develop more adaptive beliefs.
Exposure Response Prevention (ERP)
ERP is the gold‑standard treatment for OCD, and I use it to help clients face feared thoughts, sensations, or situations in a safe, structured, and supportive way. We work together to gradually reduce compulsions, avoidance, and reassurance‑seeking while building confidence in your ability to tolerate uncertainty. ERP helps retrain the brain to respond differently to intrusive thoughts, lowering anxiety over time. I tailor ERP to each client’s needs and often integrate it with ACT and EMDR to support regulation, trauma‑related barriers, and long‑term recovery.
Location
Virtual sessions