Virtual Trauma Therapy: How to Heal from Trauma Without Leaving Your Houston Home

Healing from Home in Houston

You’ve been struggling for a while. You’re also curious about starting therapy, but you’re unsure. Do you really have the time to drive through Houston traffic with your already overpacked schedule? Are you ready to hear whatever the therapist has to say? And are you ready to put in the work? The process of finding a great therapist in Houston can be daunting, but once you’ve found the right one, your life will change. I guarantee it.

If time and traffic constraints are keeping you from seeking therapy, I present to you that virtual trauma therapy in Houston is a convenient and effective solution for you.

No office visits, no parking issues, no being stuck in traffic. All you need is an electronic device, internet access and a willing heart. Boom!

What is Virtual Trauma Therapy? A Modern Approach to Healing

Virtual trauma therapy is essentially therapy using the internet. Some therapists do phone sessions, while others add a video component to it. I prefer real-time video sessions because I can see you, you can see me and it feels like a regular conversation.

And once we add the layer of groundbreaking trauma therapy like brainspotting, it works amazingly over video. In fact, I received all my brainspotting trainings through video. That way I am sure that it’ll work for you.

After the pandemic of 2020, most therapists had to take a crash course in virtual therapy. Although prior to the pandemic I was already conducting both phone and video sessions. But after the pandemic hit, it was clear that we therapists had to figure out how to provide effective care to our clients regardless of whatever is going on in society. The great part about it is that it is not only convenient for you, it’s just as effective as in person therapy.

Benefits of Virtual Trauma Therapy for High-Performing Women

I love virtual sessions because they are flexible. I’ve had clients attend sessions while in their cars, in their bedrooms, in their kitchens, in between meetings, in hotel rooms, and at work. There is sometimes a fear that occurs when you are entering a therapist’s space. It is already dffiicult enough to open up and trust a therapist you’ve just met, let’s not add another barrier to it.

Highly sensitive women are especially vulnerable to their environments. Something as small as the smell of the therapist’s perfume or the rough texture of the couch can distract them from their own personal healing. Wouldn’t it be great for you to work on healing within our own safe space?

When I was only offering in person therapy sessions, location and distance were huge barriers. Some clients didn’t have reliable transportation, they had other life responsibilities that got in the way or they just couldn’t fit therapy into their busy schedules. With virtual therapy you’re saving probably about 30 minutes-1 hour each session, depending on the therapist’s distance to your home or place of employment.

I love that my clients can dress comfortably while they remain in the comfort of their own environment. You can snuggle up in your bonnet, with your favorite blanket, while wearing house shoes and drinking from your favorite mug. All of these things not only give you comfort but they provide space for you to open up in therapy. An open, comfortable client will receive better results than one who is struggling to open up.

How Brainspotting Works in a Virtual Setting

Brainspotting primarily focuses on eye gaze. When we do brainspotting online, because your field of vision is limited to the size of the screen, it allows you to really focus on the work. All the distractions that would have come from my office (the couch, the rug, my diffuser, items on my wall, smells, sounds) are gone. This way you can focus more on the work of processing trauma and engaging.

Some clients worry that virtual therapy is not as effective as in person therapy. Well that isn’t true. Because I am using the exact same skills and training to guide you. It’s just like saying you are unable to communicate with your loved ones because you’re talking through FaceTime.

When I utilize virtual brainspotting, I can actually focus on your brainspot a lot easier because I simply mark it on my computer screen. When we are in person, It is almost impossible for me to keep my hand so steady for an entire hour and move it to the brainspot you identified. If you’ve ever attended a brainspotting, all of this will sound like gibberish to you. That’s okay.

What to Expect in Your First Virtual Trauma Therapy Session

To prepare for a virtual brainspotting session or a virtual trauma therapy session, think about location. As long as you have a device that has access to the internet, and a place that offers some sort of privacy, you’re good to go. If you’re attending therapy in your busy living room, the entire family will be listening in on your business and they might be tempted to chime in. I’m pretty sure you don’t want that.

So pick a space where you can be focused and alone for about an hour. Emotionally, you don’t really have to do much. Brainspotting doesn’t involve any pre-work or preparation. Come with a willing, curious heart.

For maximum effectiveness, make sure you are comfortable in your environment. Prop your phone or device up so that you don’t have to tilt your neck in session and your hands can be free. I also advice that you bring a glass of water, some tissues (because tears happen in therapy) and a comfort object if you need one. Shoes are optional- wear them or don’t. It’s up to you. I will only be able to see you from about the chest up.

During the session, let go of distractions like the TV, place your devices on silent or do not disturb and let the people in your home or office know that you need about 1 hour of uninterrupted time.

Finding the Right Trauma Therapist in Houston for Virtual Sessions

It is important to note that not every therapist provides brainspotting or virtual therapy. So if you're specifically looking for someone who does brainspotting, you would have to ask them if they're open to virtual brainspotting. Another thing that you can ask them is if they have actually conducted virtual brainspotting sessions and how it has gone for them. It is also important to note that not every trauma therapist has been trained in brainspotting. It is a science backed game changing form of therapy that actually helps you heal trauma from the deeper levels of your brain. The results? A life free from fear, avoidance and the dissociation that trauma causes.

After you have found a brainspotting therapist in Houston who offers virtual therapy, it is also important to ask yourself what else you need. Think of the therapist’s age, gender, religious background, personality and also cost. How much are you willing to invest? I do have to say that in the long run, brainspotting tends to save you more money because your trauma heals fast and you will be attending fewer sessions than if you were only to attend talk therapy. As a high-performing woman I know you enjoyed value for money as well as efficiency. You don't have time to waste.

As a high performer or highly sensitive woman, ensure that your therapist is knowledgable about your unique needs. Scour their website or directory profile to find out if they make mention of these terms. And when you meet with them for a consultation, ask them directly if they understand your unique needs.

Embrace the Power of Virtual Trauma Therapy

I love brainspotting. I especially love that I am able to help my clients heal their brains and their bodies from the comfort of their own homes and offices. We all know that Houston traffic can be crazy, so don't get involved in it if you don’t have to. Find a great brainspotting therapist who can help you heal trauma and anxiety without leaving your own comfortable environment. Support is just a click away and healing can happen in the comfort of your own space.

Start Your Healing Journey with Virtual Trauma Therapy in Houston!
Are you a high-performing woman ready to heal from trauma without leaving your home? Experience the transformative power of virtual brainspotting therapy! Click here to schedule your free 15-min consultation call for trauma therapy in Houston and take the first step toward a healthier, happier you!"

About Me

My name is Ibinye Osibodu-Onyali. I’m a licensed marriage and family therapist in California and Texas. I help women who are struggling with trauma, anxiety and insomnia.

I also help couples learn how to speak each other’s language, date each other again and manage conflict in a non-painful way.

Many of my clients are:

Highly sensitive people

High performing women

People with insomnia

Couples who want to regain their friendship and trust

If you’re ready to take the next steps, click here.

How Brainspotting Therapy Helps High-Performing Women Heal from Trauma

When you are a busy high performing woman, your life moves at a fast pace. There are lots of things to do and many goals to accomplish. Sometimes you don’t think you have the time to attend to your own emotional needs- which is a source of continued pain for you. The great thing about brainspotting for trauma is that it could fit right into your schedule. Unlike regular talk therapy, you don’t have to spend years and years in therapy. Brainspotting is a fast, effective, yet gentle way to experience relief from trauma and anxiety. And it does not have to disrupt your busy schedule.

What is Brainspotting? The Secret Weapon of a Trauma Therapist in Houston

Brainspotting therapy is an innovative and science-based approach to trauma and anxiety recovery. It actually has many applications outside of trauma and anxiety. Unlike traditional trauma therapy that might take years to complete or involve talking about the intricate details of trauma, brainspotting focuses on your eye gaze. As your therapist asks you to focus on a specific point, the therapy actually targets the areas of your brain where trauma gets trapped. Once you are able to do this, you can finally digest the trauma,

The result? Freedom from trauma. No more irritability, tears, fear, avoidance and dissociation.

As a trauma therapist in Houston, I use brainspotting to help you heal trauma much more effectively than if you were to spend 2 years talking about the details of your trauma each week. A lot of clients come to me because they have tried all the talk therapy, read all the books, and it just didn’t seem to work for them. I love brainspotting because it is gentle, fast and gets the job done. Translation? It could help save you money in the long run.

I personally stopped using talk therapy to treat my clients’ trauma because it felt like I was only traumatizing them more. My goal as a therapist is to be kind while being efficient.

Challenges of High Performing Women

As a high performing woman you most likely feel proud of all your accomplishments and accolades, however the down side is that all the years of hard work have possibly lead you to burn out. Juggling multiple projects regularly, tending to the needs of others and frankly, not having much time for yourself can leave you feeling worn out. Many high performing women also end up chasing the never stopping perfectionism train. You do all things with excellence, however you’re not sure when enough is enough.

As if all the above isn’t difficult enough to deal with, when we stack on an additional layer of trauma, you feel like you are on the verge of a nervous breakdown.

The great thing is that with the right brainspotting trauma therapist, we can rewire your brain so that you stop chasing perfection, learn how to slow down and learn how to set boundaries so that you’re not constantly trying to put everyone’s needs above yours.

Imagine how freeing that is.

Why Brainspotting is Ideal for High-Performing Women

I know you love efficiency and quality. I also know you tend to put your needs last. You’ve thought about seeking therapy, but you’re not sure if you have the time or if you should make such a financial investment. I love brainspotting because it cuts down the time in therapy compared to traditional talk therapy.

It also gets the job done. While talk therapists might spend months with you, and still be unable to help you access deep layers of your brain, a brainspotting therapist can do the job in just a few sessions.

Brainspotting is great for busy high performing women because there’s no need for prep work or pre-work. We jump right in. In my case, we’ll start the actual brainspotting in session 2. It’s great for someone who might not want to do a whole lot of talking or provide a lengthy back story. It’s also great if you are ready to begin the healing process now. Because brainspotting actually works on the deep layers of your brain where trauma lives, targeting those layers helps you finally heal from trauma.

We’re not just putting a bandage on the wound. We are actually healing trauma.

The great thing is that brainspotting is flexible. As a trauma therapist in Houston, I can customize the brainspotting work depending on what you need. We focus on the issues that are most pressing or troublesome in your life so you can start to feel the relief early on.

What to Expect During Your Brainspotting Session: A Journey Tailored for You

Most people are usually apprehensive during the first session. That’s okay. Your first brainspotting session does not need any fancy bells and whistles. We’ll work together to choose the issue that you want to focus on. I’ll guide you to find the point in which you need to look at. You’ll be asked what emotion is coming up for you, where the emotion sits in your body, then I’ll give you the space to begin to process the memories and thoughts that will rise to the surface. You’ll notice something happening really quickly. It will feel like a quick rush of emotion, but towards the end of the session, you might feel your body begin to calm down.

The great thing about brainspotting trauma therapy for a busy woman like you is that you do not have to spend time driving up and down Houston traffic. We can do it virtually from the comfort of your own home, car or office. You decide.

Finding the Right Trauma Therapist in Houston for Brainspotting

The first step is finding the right trauma therapist in Houston. Brainspotting is a unique specialty, so most therapists in Houston aren’t familiar with it. The first step is to ask your prospective therapist if they are trained in brainspotting.

To find a brainspotting trauma therapist, you can do a Google search, use a therapist directory or even ask friends and family for a referral. Once you get a few names, I suggest going to the therapists’ website to find out more about them.

Think about what you want in an ideal therapist. Think of age, personality, gender, religion, virtual vs in person, cost, and what specific issues they are great at. All of these things matter.

Once you are done writing this out, focus on 3-4 therapists who fit the bill. The next step would be to schedule a consultation call. This will allow you to hear their voice, find out more about how they work, and decide if they are indeed a great fit for you. Don’t overthink this part. Just go with your gut.

If you are looking for a quick, but gentle path to healing from trauma, perfectionism or burn out, brainspotting could help.

High-performing women, it’s time to reclaim your peace! Discover how brainspotting therapy can help you heal from trauma and thrive. Click here to schedule your free consultation call for trauma therapy in Houston and take the first step toward a brighter future!

About Me

My name is Ibinye Osibodu-Onyali. I’m a licensed marriage and family therapist in California and Texas. I help women who are struggling with trauma, anxiety and insomnia.

I also help couples learn how to speak each other’s language, date each other again and manage conflict in a non-painful way.

Many of my clients are:

Highly sensitive people

High performing women

People with insomnia

Couples who want to regain their friendship and trust

If you’re ready to take the next steps, click here.

What to Expect from Your First Session with a Trauma Therapist in Houston

Therapy is super common these days, however it’s absolutely normal if you feel apprehensive or nervous before reaching out to a therapist. After all, there is a level of trust you have to have in this stranger. But once you find the right therapist for you, you have a world of healing ahead of you.

I encourage you to vet your therapist well before diving in with them.

If you have been carrying around the baggage of trauma, I strongly encourage you to find yourself a trauma therapist in Houston. Why? because not all therapists are trained to work with trauma.

And the right trauma therapist will help you process, digest and finally get rid of the trauma that has been holding you back.

If you do not want to be in therapy long term, then I have a treat for you. I specialize in brainspotting therapy- an innovative, efficient and gentle way of healing your brain from trauma without having to do too much talking or retraumatizing yourself.

The Warm Welcome: Meeting Your Trauma Therapist in Houston

Once you have gone through a few therapists’ website or online profiles, select about 3 who resonate strongly with you. Ensure that their websites actually mention trauma and/or brainspotting.

Schedule a consultation call so that you can get your questions answered before your first session.

On to the first session

If you are signed up for virtual therapy (in my opinion, it’s just as effective as in person therapy), show up as you would if you were going into the therapist’s office.

Be comfy. Bring a notebook and a pen if you want to, and always bring some water in case you get thirsty. Some people show up in their bonnets, with a blanket or in their pajamas.

I’m cool with all of it.

Understanding Your Story: The First Step in Trauma Therapy

During our first session, we’ll be getting to know each other better. You’ll get a sense of how I talk, how I work and I’ll get your background story- so to speak.

I’ll be asking about your symptoms, physical and emotional health, family background, past experiences in therapy, your sleep, trauma experiences, social relationships, intimate relationships, and a lot more. This will help me tailor therapy for you. No cookie cutter here.

By the end of the first session, you will probably have a good sense for whether or not we are actually a fit. If you decide you want to continue on, then we’ll schedule another session. If not, I’ll hopefully help you find someone who is a better fit for you.

Towards the end of the first session, we will work together to pinpoint about 2 to 3 goals of therapy. You can pick whatever you want and it’s flexible. You can always change your goals.

Trauma therapy is a lot less scary than it sounds. It’s simply just a time to help you begin to clear out some of the traumatic memories that have been sitting in your body and your brain so that you can feel free and unhindered.

Introducing Brainspotting: How It Fits into Trauma Therapy

During the second session, it’ll be time to jump into brainspotting- a powerful technique for processing trauma.

In a nutshell, brainspotting is essentially gently going into the deep layers of your brain where trauma and strong emotions are stored, allowing you to access those emotions and digest them.

Because we are able to access deep layers of the brain, it reduces the total amount of time you’ll spend in therapy. It is powerful and efficient.

As we continue on our brainspotting trauma therapy journey together, I’ll continue to check in with you to see how you’re feeling. Are you sleeping okay? Do you have any physical symptoms? Tiredness maybe? Do you feel like you are beginning to clear out the trauma?

Are there any other areas you would like to touch on in session?

I am a pro at catering to the specific needs of women in Houston. Typically, in addition to trauma therapy, many of my clients want to work on building back their self esteem, learning how to establish firm, but kind boundaries with themselves and others, as well as establishing safe, healthy relationships. We can do all that.

Feeling Comfortable and Supported with Your Trauma Therapist in Houston

Remember that therapy is a process. You might not feel completely healed after the first or second session, but as you continue to be open to the process, you will feel relieved.

During the first few sessions, you are also getting to know your therapist better. It’s okay if you feel shy or awkward at first.

Brainspotting can feel difficult at first, but there is no type of healing that comes without a little bit of a challenge.

If you are looking for a quicker non-invasive way to heal trauma, consider connecting with a brainspotting trauma therapist in Houston.

Ready to start your healing journey with a trusted trauma therapist in Houston? Schedule your free consultation call with me for trauma therapy in Houston and take the first step toward reclaiming your life!

About Me

My name is Ibinye Osibodu-Onyali. I’m a licensed marriage and family therapist in California and Texas. I help women who are struggling with trauma, anxiety and insomnia.

I also help couples learn how to speak each other’s language, date each other again and manage conflict in a non-painful way.

Many of my clients are:

Highly sensitive people

High achieving women

People with insomnia

Couples who want to regain their friendship and trust

If you’re ready to take the next steps, click here.

Why You Should Choose a Trauma Therapist in Houston for Your Healing Journey

You’ve been through so much trauma and pain. All you want is to feel like yourself again, but you have no idea where to start or what to do about it. The good thing is that with the right trauma therapist in Houston, you can indeed experience transformation like you’ve never seen before.

Before you say “Therapy takes too much time and probably doesn’t work,” I’d like to introduce you to a cutting edge method of trauma healing called brainspotting. It can typically cut down the amount of time you spend in therapy, it goes straight to the deepest layers of your brain where trauma and difficult emotions are stored, and you don’t have to give your therapist a play by play of what happened to you if you don’t want to.

What Does a Trauma Therapist in Houston Do?

The role of a trauma therapist is to guide you in a (hopefully) gentle way so that you are able to work through the traumatic memories and digest them. The outcome should be that those memories no longer haunt you, and you begin to feel as close to normal as possible. We do not promise you that your memory would be wiped clean. Nope. But the desired outcome is that you will be able to live a full life, the constant anxiety will quiet down, healthy relationships will be restored and trauma no longer consumes you.

There are many methods of healing trauma. There is talk therapy, in which you discuss the details of the issue over and over again until it no longer bothers you so much. There is talk therapy in which you don’t necessarily have to go into detail, but you work on the after effects of the trauma- not being able to stand up for yourself, avoiding certain things or people, fear, anxiety, irritability, etc.

There is also non traditional therapy (ike brainspotting and EMDR) in which you’re targeting your brain- which is where traumatic memories and feelings are stored.

It is important that therapy be personalized for you. In my practice, I do not use brainspotting for all people. I’m a therapist, NOT a dictator. Some people prefer talk therapy, some prefer a more hybrid model, and some want strict brainspotting. We do what works for you.

Why Brainspotting is a Game-Changer for Trauma Therapy

I love that brainspotting is not only gentle, but it is also effective. You don’t have to jump through a lot of hoops to get started. After the first assessment session, I jump right into it from session 2. I prep you verbally for a few minutes and then I step back to let your brain do its thing.

Brainspotting essentially utilizes your eye gaze to help you target the specific areas of the brain where trauma is stored. Once you gain access, you can now process then digest the trauma.

You see when trauma is stuck in your brain, you feel the effects- jumpiness, tearfulness, anxiety, anger, dissociation, body aches and pains etc. Wouldn’t it be nice to finally clear out those places where trauma has been locked?

It helps you get to the root of the trauma faster. That means less time in therapy and you can go ahead with your happy life sooner.

Why Choose a Trauma Therapist in Houston: The Local Advantage

When you work with a therapist who is local, they get the culture you are a part of. The Houston area is such a unique place that people from other places might just not understand things like how it takes 20 minutes to drive just 5 miles! (Make it make sense).

It is also important to choose a trauma therapist who gets all the other parts of you- ethnicity, religion, gender, marital status, parenting status, etc. Because you have to feel like your therapist is a great match for you- or else, you won’t be able to open up.

I absolutely love working with highly sensitive Christian women who feel like they have to hold their entire family up. I get their unique needs.

What to Expect from Your Healing Journey with a Trauma Therapist in Houston

The therapy processs starts before the first session. You are on Google, trying to find the right fit. With me, I offer a free 15-minute consultation call.

I learn how you want to be supported, what has worked so far, what hasn't worked, and we discuss the way I work. If we decide we are a great match, then during our first virtual session, I get to know you more.

We’ll go through your spiritual, educational, career, relational and emotional background. All these areas help me better understand how to personalize therapy for you.

During the second session, we jump into brainspotting. While using my pointer, we decide what traumatic experience to focus on. You’ll start to process through the event as if it was happening again. You might cry or feel tense while it’s happening, but if you give it some time, you’ll start to feel a sense of relief and peace. Your own body will guide you.

Essentially we open the door in your mind that has been holding back traumatic memories, As you walk through the door, the memories will have less and less of a hold on you.

It sounds more complicated than it really is.

How to Find the Right Trauma Therapist in Houston for You

It is important to pick the therapist you feel most comfortable with. You can do a Google search, use a therapy directory or ask around. Chances are you know a few friends who have seen an amazing therapist lately.

My best advice is to check out the therapist’s website first. This gives you an idea of their personality, their background, training, fees etc. I am biased but I recommend brainspotting if you are specifically trying to work through trauma.

Next, schedule a free consultation call if the therapist offers it. This gives you a chance to hear their voice and ask whatever questions are on your mind. I tend to be a very transparent therapist who sees myself as your guide- NOT your boss. I believe you have the answers if I ask you the right questions.

Don’t forget to ask them how they work. Will you meet weekly? Biweekly? Monthly? Etc. My preference is to see my clients weekly to start with. This helps create some rapid progress.

If the therapist doesn’t work out for you, don’t suffer through it. Simply go through the process again and find someone new. Sometimes it takes a few tries, but the right therapist is out there waiting for you.

Ready to take control of your healing journey with a brainspotting trauma therapist in Houston? Schedule a free 15-minute consultation call so you can experience the transformative power of brainspotting trauma therapy firsthand!

About Me

My name is Ibinye Osibodu-Onyali. I’m a licensed marriage and family therapist in California and Texas. I help women who are struggling with trauma, anxiety and insomnia.

I also help couples learn how to speak each other’s language, date each other again and manage conflict in a non-painful way.

Many of my clients are:

Highly sensitive people

High achieving women

People with insomnia

Couples who want to regain their friendship and trust

If you’re ready to take the next steps, click here.

5 Signs You Need to See a Trauma Therapist in Houston

Something earth shattering happened to you. Your life has not been the same. You’ve tried your best to forget about it, but you have not been successful. You were shaken for a while, but now you’ve dusted yourself off and you think things are back to normal.

But you realize the old you has disappeared. You can’t recognize the person you are. Life just doesn’t feel peaceful.

The good news is that finding the right trauma therapist in Houston can be a game-changer for you- especially with innovative approaches like Brainspotting.

Trauma does not have to rule over you. Not sure if you might benefit from trauma therapy? Here are 5 signs why you need to see a trauma therapist.

You're Constantly Feeling Anxious or On Edge

When something traumatic happens, your brain goes into protection mode. The part of your brain that is wired for survival becomes much more active. In women especially, you find yourself feeling on guard. Everyone around you becomes a suspect. You wonder, “Am I safe?” Activities you used to participate in previously become a lot more difficult to engage in.

Anxiety becomes part of your daily life. Your heart starts to beat a little faster, you feel more irritable than normal and you just know that something is off.

Again, more good news. A skilled brainspotting trauma therapist can help you target the deep rooted causes of anxiety, so you can breathe a bit easier.

You Avoid Certain Places or Situations

Avoidance is a red flag that could stem from unresolved trauma. You find yourself avoiding people, places or objects that remind you of the events that happened. Sometimes you even go out of your way to avoid a certain route while driving.

You might even avoid listening to certain songs, watching a certain TV series or wearing a specific shirt- because these things all remind you of something bad that happened.

This is why I love brainspotting. Because it can help you reprocess these triggers so that you no longer associate them with a traumatic event.

The outcome? You are free to go wherever you want, listen to whatever music you want and drive wherever you want. Remember that brainspotting is a specialized type of therapy- so not all trauma therapists know about it or how to implement it.

You're Struggling with Relationships

One of the least talked about side effects of trauma is how it negatively affects your relationships. You might find yourself withdrawing from others, ignoring phone calls and texts and turning down invitations to events.

It feels so lonely because at the back of your mind, you want to actually connect, but your body just can’t seem to do it. It’s the idea of the spirit is willing but the flesh is weak.

Sometimes when you do summon the courage to connect with others, you feel irritated, you get into arguments and the relationship sours.

But once you have worked through the emotional blocks, you can rebuild trust in your relationships and improve communication. Trauma doesn’t have to destroy everything.

You Feel Disconnected from Yourself

Sometimes when trauma happens, you disconnect yourself from your environment and your own body. We call this dissociation. It feels like you are floating on a cloud while everything else just keeps moving. The earth stands still while you keep floating.

You might even feel like you have gaps in your memory and you start to forget things.

With the help of a trauma therapist in Houston who is trained in brainspotting, you can start feeling reconnected with your body and emotions.

You’ve Tried Other Therapies but Still Feel Stuck

I hear this all the time. You have something horrible happen to you, so you do your due diligence and head on over to the nearest therapist. You do Cognitive Behavioral Therapy or some other form of talk therapy. You feel better for a moment, and then you hit a wall.

All your old symptoms come back- anxiety, avoidance, dissociation, nightmares, irritability, arguments in your relationship.

Why does this happen? Because although talk therapy has its place, it doesn’t allow you to go as deep as innovative brain focused therapies do. Therapies like brainspotting help you access the deepest parts of your brain where trauma and strong emotions dwell.

The result? The ability to finally live a life without fear and anxiety.

Ready to break free from the patterns holding you back? Connect with me, your trusted trauma therapist in Houston, and discover how Brainspotting can guide you toward lasting healing. Click here to book your free consultation call for brainspotting trauma therapy in Houston today and start feeling like yourself again!

About Me

My name is Ibinye Osibodu-Onyali. I’m a licensed marriage and family therapist in California and Texas. I help women who are struggling with trauma, anxiety and insomnia.

I also help couples learn how to speak each other’s language, date each other again and manage conflict in a non-painful way.

Many of my clients are:

Highly sensitive people

High achieving women

People with insomnia

Couples who want to regain their friendship and trust

If you’re ready to take the next steps, click here.

Trauma Therapy in Houston: How to Choose the Right Trauma Therapist for You

Finding a therapist is rough work. It’s already hard enough to be going through a tough time, but knowing where to start in picking a new therapist can be just as hard as the actual therapy process.

When you finally summon up the courage to reach out to a few therapists, you are shocked at how many therapists there are in the Houston area alone and how many of them do not respond to your requests. I pride myself in responding to every message I receive within 2 business days.

Now you feel like you are at a loss and no one will help you.

The up side of healing from trauma is that therapy does not have to take years and years. With innovative models of therapy like brainspotting, it is effective and it gets the job done in less time than with traditional talk therapy.

Sounds like music to your efficient, busy and high performing ears!

Now let’s move on to how to find a therapist without too much stress.

What to Look for in a Trauma Therapist in Houston

Before searching online or asking your friends for referrals, take some time to ask yourself what qualities you want in a trauma therapist.

Think about:

• Therapist’s Personality (that definitely matters). Do you want someone who can flow between office speak and slang? Or would you rather have a straight laced therapist? I for one like to raise an eyebrow every once in a while, and even though we’re working on trauma, I will have you laughing harder than you’ve done in ages.

• Therapist’s Religious Background. I incorporate biblical knowledge into my therapy sessions for my Christian clients who request it. And yes, discussions about the Holy Spirit are abundant. Now, I don’t indoctrinate or interpret scripture, but we do use the Bible as a guide.

  Ask yourself if you want therapy to be secular or if incorporating your faith is important.

• Therapist’s Gender. You want to go with whomever you are most comfortable with. Don’t force it.

• Therapist’s Age. Do you want someone who is close to your age? Older? Younger than you?

• Therapist’s Specialty. Please note that not all therapists work with trauma. And brainspotting is a very specialized type of therapy, so if you want brainspotting to be used, ask about this specifically.

• Therapist’s Experience. You may ask about how long they’ve been practicing, what they are trained in, as well as their specific experience with the issue that has brought you into therapy.

The ultimate thing is that your therapist must align with your personal healing goals.

How Brainspotting Sets Trauma Therapists in Houston Apart

Brainspotting is my choice when working with trauma because it is fast, gentle, efficient and gets the job done. I’m not here to bash CBT or talk therapy, but I just find that brainspotting helps heal trauma without re-traumatizing you.

As a busy woman in Houston, you don’t have time to waste. You feel like you have lost some time suffering in silence. And once you’re ready to heal, you deserve to be able to jump in and reclaim your life.

Brainspotting essentially uses eye movements to help you connect to the deeper layers of the brain where emotions and deeper trauma tend to be locked up. It’ll help you find the trauma, process it, digest it, then you’re good to go.

Whereas with traditional talk therapy, it might take quite a few sessions for you to get to the roots of your trauma, talking back and forth with your therapist. Brainspotting doesn’t need any detailed explanations or setups- you can dive right in. I tend to start actual brainspotting in session 2.

Why Local Matters: The Importance of Finding a Trauma Therapist in Houston

With virtual therapy, you can work with any therapist who is licensed in Texas, however the beauty of working with a local Houston therapist is they tend to understand Houston culture. You don’t have to spend half the time trying to describe your expriences to them.

They get it.

A local therapist knows the lay of the land, has a good understanding of your frustrations and they just know how to help you all the more.

It is pretty important to ensure that the therapist you pick is a great cultural fit.

What does that mean?

Do they understand the issues you face? Issues of race, gender, immigration status, family of origin issues, high sensitivity issues, work related issues, your entrepreneurship issues, etc. All the little layers that create stress in your life or make you who you are.

Questions to Ask When Choosing a Trauma Therapist in Houston

After you have decided on what you would like in a therapist, it’s time to do an actual search.

Here are 3 general ways to find a therapist:

1) Do a search on Google or social media (Yup, some of us are on IG, Youtube, Facebook, etc)

2) Ask your friends or loved ones for referrals. This doesn’t necessarily guarantee that the therapist they send you will be a cultural fit. But it’s a start.

3) Utilize a therapist directory. Some popular ones are Psychology Today, Therapy for Black Girls, Therapy Den, Melanin and Mental Health.

When you use the above 3 ways, browse the therapist’s profile and website to get a general feel for their personality and if they meet any of the criteria you outlined above (gender, race, experience, speciality, etc).

Next, here are some possible questions to ask the therapist when you have a consultation with them (Not all therapists offer a free consultation like I do).

Questions to ask a prospective trauma therapist:

• How long have you been practicing?

• What is your educational background?

• What are your areas of expertise? Do you specialize in trauma therapy?

• Do you use brainspotting?

• How would you describe your therapy style?

• What can I expect during our therapy sessions?

Feel free to add any other questions that come up for you.

How to Take the First Step with a Trauma Therapist in Houston

Once you’ve gone through the therapists’ websites or profiles, pick about 3-5 that stand out the most to you.

No overthinking.

Just go with your gut. Look on their websites to see if there is a calendar or link for you to book a consultation call.

Once you’ve done a few consults and you’re ready to start therapy, all you really need during your first session is an open mind, some trust in your new therapist and things to keep you comfy.

Some of my clients will have a blanket, comfy footwear (or no footwear at all), water, a pen, a notebook, and of course a tissue box.

Yes, therapy will most likely involve some tears. It’s a part of the process.

Starting therapy is such a brave, empowering step- especially when you decide to pick a cutting edge therapy like brainspotting. But it is your commitment to healing that will eventually have you feeling whole again.

Ready to start your healing journey with a trauma therapist in Houston? Click here to schedule your free 15-minute consultation call for brainspotting therapy and experience trauma therapy designed for you. Let's reclaim your life together!

About Me

My name is Ibinye Osibodu-Onyali. I’m a licensed marriage and family therapist in California and Texas. I help women who are struggling with trauma, anxiety and insomnia.

I also help couples learn how to speak each other’s language, date each other again and manage conflict in a non-painful way.

Many of my clients are:

Highly sensitive people

High achieving women

People with insomnia

Couples who want to regain their friendship and trust

If you’re ready to take the next steps, click here.