Anxiety and depression therapists and psychiatrists in Friendswood, TX

I’m a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and retired nurse with more than 25 years of experience in healthcare, social work, and behavioral health. Born in Texas and raised in Brazil and Chile, I’ve spent much of my life moving between cultures. I provide therapy in English, Spanish, and Portuguese and bring that multicultural perspective into my work.

I work with adults navigating anxiety and overthinking, depression, relationship difficulties, narcissism, grief and loss, caregiver stress, aging, identity concerns, and major life transitions. I also provide LGBTQ+ affirming therapy and help who want to create a meaningful life on their own terms and figure out what you want the next chapter of their life to look like.

I have a particular interest in helping people who have spent years being the dependable one—the partner, parent, caregiver, professional, or person everyone else turns to—and are beginning to ask, “What about me?”

I believe that being seen, heard, and fully accepted is what fosters true connection—not just with others, but with yourself. My goal is to welcome you exactly as you are, no matter what burdens or dilemmas you’re carrying.

My hope is to empower you to embrace your unique journey so you can live, love, and fully enjoy the life ahead of you.

I received both my Bachelors and Masters in Social Work from the University of Texas at Austin. I have been in private practice for more than 10 years. Prior to private practice, my career began as an inpatient therapist on locked units at psychiatric facilities Cambridge Hospital (currently Sun Behavioral Hospital) and West Oaks Hospital. In addition to my inpatient work at West Oaks Hospital, I was a group facilitator with both adolescents and adults for the outpatient extension of the hospital: The Excel Center. My work at The Excel Center involved daily group therapy in both the Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) and Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP).

Because of my work with the acute psychiatric population in intensive treatment settings, I am able to work as a generalist practitioner. I work with most issue from depression, anxiety, and OCD to trauma, addiction and relationships struggles... just to name a few.

"As a Certified Sex Addiction Therapist (CSAT), I specialize in treating both porn/sexual addiction and the resulting Partner Betrayal Trauma. My work delves into the unconscious, deep-rooted patterns and past experiences that fuel compulsive behaviors.

Utilizing a psychodynamic approach, I help clients gain the insight necessary for lasting change, full life restoration, and healing the core issues."

Exploring our inner world is an important step towards true emotional development. As a native Houstonian, I am deeply rooted in assisting children, adolescents, and young adults in our community navigate their daily experiences, social interactions, and life transitions. With over 20 years of mental health experience in a variety of settings, I am a Licensed Professional Counselor (private practice) and a School Psychologist (public schools). I work with individuals experiencing social difficulties, anxious feelings, negative emotions, and provide a safe place for process daily experiences.

As an LPC with over 21 years of experience I am passionate about working with individuals, families, and adolescents navigate life's inevitable challenges. Navigating those changes creates anxiety, depression, and feeling overwhelmed. We know change is constant and understanding all aspects of ourselves - emotionally, mentally, and physically - is of the utmost importance. It allows us to have a better relationship with ourselves; therefore, deeper and healthier relationships with others.

Providing individual, group, and family therapy across various settings has enabled me to understand the importance of developing healthy communication that will benefit long-term relationship skills.

Who am I? What do I want? And how do I move forward from here? These are the questions that bring many people to therapy—and the questions I’m passionate about exploring. I’m Ron Saenz, a Licensed Professional Counselor in Houston. My work is rooted in the belief that healing happens through both insight and embodied experience. I draw from neuroscience, somatic awareness, and the wisdom of practices like meditation, yoga, martial arts, and flow states to help clients reconnect with themselves in deeper, more meaningful ways.

Welcome to This Space. I am a doctoral level clinician with a variety of mental health experience. I started out in community mental health agencies working with psychiatrists to treat depression, anxiety, ptsd, and schizophrenia in teens and adults. I have since transitioned to private practice where I help clients, mostly adults work through grief, depression, anxiety, life transitions, trauma, and stress management.

I have lived in and outside of Mexico, Houston, Seattle, and Maine, and have felt at home in a number of ecosystems. I’ve held many titles: marine biologist, research scientist, environmental educator, elementary school teacher, farmer, barista, mom...I come from a multi-national, multi-cultural family. When I’m not therapizing, I’m outside with my family and my pets, gardening, writing, moving my body, and goofing off.

I dedicated the first part of my career to connecting with nature through science, outdoor adventure education, and horticulture, while doing my own therapeutic work. Nature has always been part of my healing and how I care for others. I graduated from the University of Washington with a BS in Aquatic and Fisheries Science, and earned my master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from the University of St. Thomas in Houston. I have 8 years of combined experience in eating disorder treatment at every level of care. My 5 years of private practice experience has centered on complex trauma presentations.