Karla Pantoja

(she/her)

LCSW, 2 years of experience
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New to Grow

VirtualAvailable

I’m a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) in Texas with experience providing trauma-informed mental health services to children, adolescents, and families in community, residential, and telehealth settings. I earned my Bachelor of Social Work and Master of Science in Social Work from The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley. Growing up in South Texas and being bilingual in English and Spanish inspired my passion for providing culturally responsive care. My approach to therapy is compassionate, collaborative, and client-centered, with a focus on helping individuals and families feel supported, empowered, and safe.

Get to know me

In our first session together, here's what you can expect

Clients can expect a welcoming, supportive, and nonjudgmental environment where they feel heard and understood. During the first session, we will discuss your current concerns, personal history, and goals for therapy at a pace that feels comfortable for you. I believe in creating a collaborative space where clients feel safe exploring challenges related to stress, anxiety, trauma, life transitions, and relationships. Together, we will identify strengths, develop meaningful goals, and begin building tools and coping strategies that support healing, growth, and overall well-being.

The biggest strengths that I bring into our sessions

My greatest strengths as a therapist are my ability to create a supportive, nonjudgmental space while also helping clients develop practical tools for meaningful change. I strive to build strong therapeutic relationships where clients feel heard, understood, and empowered throughout the healing process.

The clients I'm best positioned to serve

I’m best positioned to support individuals who struggle with anxiety, overthinking, self-doubt, or self-criticism. Many of my clients are used to pushing through or taking care of others, but find it hard to extend that same compassion to themselves. They’re often insightful and motivated, but feel stuck in patterns that no longer serve them. Together, we focus on building confidence, emotional balance, and a more supportive relationship with themselves.

Specialties

Top specialties

Anxiety

Depression

Other specialties

ADHD

Child or Adolescent

I identify as

Serves ages

Children (6 to 12)

Teenagers (13 to 17)

Licensed in

Accepts

Location

Offers in-person in 4425 N McColl Rd, McAllen, TX 78504

Virtual

My treatment methods

Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is one of the primary approaches I use in my practice. CBT helps clients better understand the connection between their thoughts, emotions, and behaviors so they can develop healthier coping strategies and create meaningful change in their daily lives. I use CBT to help clients build awareness of unhelpful thought patterns and develop tools to manage them in everyday life. This might include identifying negative self-talk, learning coping strategies for anxiety, or practicing new behaviors that support your goals. I tend to use CBT in a collaborative and flexible way, adapting it to your unique experiences so it feels practical, not overwhelming.

Strength-Based

A strengths-based approach focuses on identifying and building on the skills, qualities, and resilience you already have. Even when things feel overwhelming, there are often strengths that can help you move forward, we work together to uncover and use them.In my practice, I use a strengths-based lens to help clients feel more confident and capable in facing challenges. This might include recognizing patterns of resilience, reframing self-doubt, and highlighting what’s already working in your life. My goal is to help you feel empowered, not just to cope, but to grow in ways that feel meaningful to you.

Compassion Focused

Compassion-Focused Therapy (CFT) helps you develop a kinder, more understanding relationship with yourself especially if you tend to be self-critical or hard on yourself. In my work, I use compassion-focused techniques to support clients in reducing shame and building self-acceptance. This might include learning how to respond to difficult emotions with care instead of judgment, and developing a more supportive inner voice. I aim to create a space where you feel safe to explore challenges while also feeling understood and supported.

Trauma Informed Care

A trauma informed approach means recognizing how past experiences can impact your thoughts, emotions, and sense of safety, and making sure therapy feels supportive, not overwhelming. In my practice, I prioritize creating a space where you feel safe, respected, and in control of your healing process. I move at your pace and focus on building trust before exploring difficult experiences. I also incorporate grounding and coping strategies to help you feel more stable and supported, both in and outside of sessions.

New to Grow
This provider hasn’t received any written reviews yet. We started collecting written reviews January 1, 2025.