Trauma and PTSD therapists & psychiatrists in Waco, TX

Taking the first step is the hardest part—but you do not have to walk it alone.

Welcome! I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with over 29 years of experience helping adults, children, and families transform their lives. I help clients cope with depression, anxiety, anger, coping skills issues, and past traumas. Together, we will clear the path toward your mental health goals, breaking down big obstacles into manageable steps. Your courage brought you here, and my expertise is here to support you the rest of the way. Let’s build the future you deserve.

Throughout life's journey, all of us face difficult challenges as well as times of reflection and growth. I have a passion for helping others through difficult times and love working with clients helping to facilitate insight and healing in their personal journey. In 2017, I opened Ponderado M Counseling Services, LLC on a ranch in La Grange, Texas. The counseling office is nestled around animals and the outdoors as they are used to create a unique therapeutic environment and opportunity for the client outside the traditional office setting.

I believe that every person has inherent value, and was uniquely made for this Earth. Most people saw the best in themselves and others, when at some point they were overcome with disappointment, hurt, or other of life's challenges. When this happens they may find themselves asking, "Who is there to listen without judgement?" or "Who can I tell what happened when I think nobody will understand?" These people want to have a life worth living, but feel like it's too much to navigate on their own.

I'm a strong advocate, and I can help you to advocate for yourself too. I can be a listening ear, a helper, someone to have an open honest dialogue with. I use humor and relationship to help people feel well supported and motivated towards their goals.

Hello and welcome. I look forward to being apart of your healing journey.

• My approach to therapy is interactive and collaborative, focused on your self discovery and growth. I see our work as a partnership where your voice, values, and goals matter. Together, we will explore what is bringing you to therapy and clarify the changes you hope to see in your life, relationships, and overall sense of well being.
• I prefer to join in with my clients rather than sit back and simply observe. We will actively work together to identify patterns, build insight, and develop practical tools that enhance your quality of life. I will offer gentle guidance, ask thoughtful questions, and invite your feedback so our sessions feel useful and relevant to you.
• I believe the therapy relationship is designed to support the change you are seeking. Our work will help you move toward those desired shifts at a pace that feels right, while honoring what is most important to you. If you are ready to explore your next steps in a collaborative, supportive space, I would be honored to walk alongside you.

If you've been feeling overwhelmed, stuck, or unsure how to move forward, you're not alone. Life's transitions, relationship struggles, stress, anxiety, and depression can leave you feeling disconnected from yourself and uncertain about what comes next. I work with adolescents and adults navigating anxiety, depression, family challenges, relationship concerns, grief, anger, maternal mental health issues, women's issues, and life transitions. Many of my clients are balancing personal and professional responsibilities while trying to care for everyone around them, often at the expense of their own well-being. Together, we'll create a supportive environment where you can slow down, gain clarity, and reconnect with what matters most. My goal is to help you build confidence, strengthen resilience, and create meaningful changes that support a more fulfilling and balanced life.

My goal is to create a safe space where the superman cape, the mask, the facade that you've had to show the world can come down. That cape is really heavy.

I want to extend a special invitation to those in the helping professions: this is a safe place to discuss those crazy stories, and know you'll never feel judged or looked down on. As a former social worker, I can tell you I've seen my own share of the best and worst humanity has to offer. My dark sense of humor is a load-bearing structure.