Grief counselors and therapists in Richmond, TX

My education, life experience, and work with individuals and families have helped me value different perspectives, embrace diversity, and meet people with empathy. I provide psychotherapy in English and Spanish and work sensitively with people of many ethnic, gender, language, and cultural backgrounds.

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.

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.

Sometimes life shifts in ways we do not expect. You may notice yourself reacting differently in certain situations, feeling overwhelmed by emotions that seem to come out of nowhere, or getting stuck in thoughts you cannot quiet. You might find yourself wondering why you ruminate, why certain people or moments affect you so deeply, or why you act differently in relationships, even when you want things to be better.

These reactions are often linked to attachment experiences from childhood, unresolved past experiences, or even traumatic events later in life. The body and mind hold onto these experiences, and they can surface when we least expect them. Therapy is a space to slow down and understand what is happening, rather than feeling confused or frustrated by it.

I work with children, teens, and adults using an attachment-based and trauma-informed approach that helps clients understand the conflicts that happen inside themselves and within their relationships. Many people experience parts of themselves that want different things at the same time, such as closeness and distance, or feel strong emotions that do not seem to match the situation. Therapy helps make sense of these internal struggles with curiosity rather than judgment.

Some of the hardest seasons people walk through happen around the arrival of new life, the slow unraveling of a relationship, or the quiet grip of something they have never said out loud. I work across all of those seasons as a Licensed Professional Counselor serving children, adolescents, and adults.

Candra is a psychiatric nurse practitioner who is funny, driven, loyal, compassionate, and, most importantly, a human being who genuinely cares about people. I strive daily to serve clients who need support reaching their goals in life.

Whether you are a teen trying to find your way, a struggling college student, navigating corporate America, a single parent juggling it all, or an overachiever who needs permission to rest, I am here to help meet your needs. Not everyone needs medication. Sometimes, people simply need someone to talk to who actually cares, listens, and understands. Others may need assistance with medication, and that is perfectly fine too. When medication is appropriate, we will work together to find an option that best meets your individual needs. I provide an integrative approach to mental health care that is holistic, realistic, practical, and safe. Whether you are dealing with depression, anxiety, insomnia, ADHD, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, trauma, a breakup, a bad grade, a failed marriage, job loss, or simply a difficult season of life, I can help. My goal is for you to leave each session feeling heard, supported, and clear about your next steps. Healing isn’t a solo journey, and I’m here to walk it with you.