My name is Josalynn Cartagena and I am an LPC. I graduated from CA-CREP accredited Sam Houston State University in 2018 in school counseling. After graduating, I began working in public education as a middle and high school counselor. I also worked for a tutoring company doing behavioral coaching for youth and for another private practice seeing clients of all ages. In 2023, I started my own bilingual virtual private practice, Sol Shines On, PLLC to help people find hope and feel valued, heard and understood to discover a better outcome for their life and future. I use the modalities of CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy), Person Centered Theory and EMDR to process negative memories. I am constantly striving to grow myself with continued education, certifications and specialties to expand my knowledge as a counselor in ways I can continue to help you grow.
In our first session together, here's what you can expect
In the first session we will go over all your intake paperwork to help me properly diagnose you and discover what your goals for counseling are so I know how to best help you. We will also discuss formalities to help you understand the process and how our sessions will look.
The biggest strengths that I bring into our sessions
Through some of my greatest adversities and pain, my greatest inner warrior was birthed. From childhood trauma that led to panic attacks and anxiety, codependency, no boundaries and toxic relationships; I was desperate for freedom, release, answers, and hope! I have the ability to make my clients feel heard, validated, understood and cared for. Empathy and warm regard is one of my greatest skills as well as building a great therapeutic relationship with you. My greatest strength is being your side kick advocate as far as hope and shifting to a positive mindset until I teach you the skills to successfully do this for yourself.
The clients I'm best positioned to serve
I specialize in serving adults and teens struggling with anxiety, stress, depression, anxiety, co-dependency, boundaries, and relationship issues. I will gently guide you, yet affirm and challenge you at the same time to help you process, overcome, have hope and become the best version of yourself. I believe that many issues start with our mindset and if our thinking is “stinking thinking”, it can lead to choices and actions that can spiral you into a course of a negative pathway. But on the other hand, with consistent and applied therapeutic work and coping strategies, we can rewire the brain and mindset towards a more positive action and approach. The theories I focus on that support these beliefs are Cognitive Behavior Theory (CBT) and Person Centered. My goal as your counselor is to team up with you as you journey through this thing called life. I hope to help you find your purpose and reason for living. I cannot do all the work for you, but I can guide you, link arms with you and encourage you towards a brighter way.
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
Essentially through CBT, I help rewire the thought processes and faulty thinking of your brain from a negative approach to a more positive approach.
EMDR
EMDR is great for trauma, PTSD and negative memories that have you feeling stuck. I help guide you through a set of rapid eye movements that allow your brain to re-process a negative memory and replace the negative cognition to a positive cognition.