APS Healthcare Therapists in San Antonio, TX

At Pediatric Psychotherapy Associates, we believe in providing a safe, nurturing and effective psychotherapy to children, adolescents and their families who are in crisis or major life transitions. We also offer therapeutic educational consultations in association with Smiles-Tutoring (www.smiles-tutoring.com) and work very closely with schools, pediatricians, as well as other specialists out in the community to provide the best continuity of care for our clients. If we can be of help to you or someone you care about, please call or email us today for more information or to make an appointment with one of our counselors.

My mission is to empower all those I serve to achieve their most fulfilling life. I provide strength-based, trauma-informed, & client-centered services to adults, adolescents, couples, & families. If you are seeking support in any of the following areas, I can help: anxiety • depression • loneliness • grief • trauma • relational challenges • ocd • adhd • career challenges • substance use • family issues • technology dependence • chronic pain • work-life balance • processing difficult moods & emotions • resilience • communication • acceptance (of self & others) • healthy boundaries. I work with you to create individualized goals.

Emotional, psychological, and interpersonal/social growth is a continual process of self transformation and change. At points when one feels stuck or confused in that process, or when life just isn't working, it often helps to connect with a therapist. I provide a safe space where you can be, or recover/rediscover, your authentic self; deepen the emotional connection with yourself and others; clarify thoughts, beliefs, and values; consider new ways of being in the world and w/others; develop healthier adaptive strategies for relating to yourself and others; and work through past and/or present griefs and traumas.

Dorothy Is a licensed professional counselor associate who holds a certificate in clinical mental health counseling from Lamar University, and MEd. In school counseling from Lamar University and a bachelor of science degree in elementary interdisciplinary studies from the University of Houston.

My approach is unique in that I offer both Counseling and Biofeedback services. Much of my work with clients revolves around the truth that we are all born perfect and worthy of love. For some of us, traumatic experiences may have taught us that closing off our heart is safer or creating defenses protects us from being hurt again. We may hold core beliefs about ourselves and the world such as: “I am worthless and unworthy of love”, “the world is not safe”, “people I love and care about will leave me”…and so on. I will guide you as you break free from the past, feel safe and calm, and begin to live fully in the present.

I work best with clients seeking to define and engage with the issues that are hindering their ability to function well, be happy and healthy. I am a direct, but not a directive therapist. I believe that given the strategies and tools to navigate through difficult situations most people are capable of doing what is needed to live life to the fullest. That includes one of my favorite populations, teenagers. I also enjoy treating patients, persons who will likely be managing a psychiatric condition throughout their lifetime with a combination of medical management and psychotherapy.

PEACE. It does not mean to be in a place where there is no noise, trouble, or hard work. It means to be in the midst of those things and still be calm in your heart." This has been a goal in my life, and one I have enjoyed sharing with my clients. These days, most of my clients seek counseling because they are having trouble sleeping, are overindulging in food or alcohol, are feeling angry and irritable, or sad and low on energy, much of the time.

Thanks for taking time to view my information. I try to be what I would look for in a psychologist: someone who is tactful, cares about the person, and responds with both knowledge and compassion. You will find me to be interactive. I will not sit silently or simply reflect what you just said. I will let you know my perceptions and discuss research, making suggestions on ways to feel better. I tend to focus both on your emotions and your thoughts. You will do most of the talking, but you will get a genuine reaction from me.

I love what I do! I am a compassionate, nonjudgmental, and caring individual who has gone through painful life experiences myself and have likewise experienced the freedom and peace of healing. I am an experienced, skillful clinician who treats adults, adolescents, and children who are experiencing anxiety, insecurity, nightmares, depression, emotional reactions to trauma, stress, grief, guilt, and/or anger. I diagnose and treat children's' issues including ADHD, separation anxiety, divorce issues, anxiety, depressive disorders, autistic spectrum disorders, behavioral, social, school, or academic problems. I teach parents to implement structure & behavioral techniques that really work!

I am warm, direct and non-pathologizing, helping clients seek practical solutions in the present to deal with challenging problems. My focus is to seek the deeper meaning inherent in problems using humor and honesty. I have strong belief in the strength of human beings and their ability to change and heal. The majority of my clients complete their work in ten sessions. For persons with more complex histories, e.g., trauma, we will work until we are done.