Christian Therapist for women with anxiety and trauma throughout CA & TX
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:
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.
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.
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:
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:
How Brainspotting with a Trauma Therapist in Houston Can Change Your Life
I’ve been a therapist for about a decade now. I’ve worked with people going through severe mental health struggles, complex levels of dysfunction within their family units, and of course, multiple layers of trauma.
One of the complaints I often hear from clients is that they have been to trauma therapy and they just aren’t getting results. They do not want to have to rehash the horrors they have been through.
This really sucks. Imagine being trapped in a hurricane of trauma with no relief in sight?
My goal as a therapist is to make therapy worthwhile and effective for my clients. Why? Because clients usually only come to me after they have been struggling for years, so by the time they get to me, they are completely spent.
Back in the day, I utilized regular talk therapy to help my clients work through trauma, however it just wasn’t cutting it.
I’ve been a therapist for about a decade now. I’ve worked with people going through severe mental health struggles, complex levels of dysfunction within their family units, and of course, multiple layers of trauma.
One of the complaints I often hear from clients is that they have been to trauma therapy and they just aren’t getting results. They do not want to have to rehash the horrors they have been through.
This really sucks. Imagine being trapped in a hurricane of trauma with no relief in sight?
My goal as a therapist is to make therapy worthwhile and effective for my clients. Why? Because clients usually only come to me after they have been struggling for years, so by the time they get to me, they are completely spent.
Back in the day, I utilized regular talk therapy to help my clients work through trauma, however it just wasn’t cutting it.
What is Brainspotting, and How Does It Help?
Brainspotting essentially is a breakthrough method of helping you process trauma without having you go over the gory details of what happened to you over and over again.
The idea behind brainspotting is “Where you look affects how you feel.” By utilizing your eye gaze, I help you connect to the deeper layers of the brain where the trauma lives. You will connect to emotions and memories you have buried deeply- but at your own pace. Once you do this, you can now explore, then digest the trauma.
The outcome?
Freedom from the chokehold that trauma has you locked in.
And what I love even more is that brainspotting is multifaceted. It is useful for anxiety and getting unstuck. Some athletes even use it to improve their performance. I’ve heard actors and performers find it useful too.
If you can find a trauma therapist who is adequately trained in brainspotting, I tell you that it will change your life forever. Powerful healing is right in front of you.
Brainspotting verse traditional therapy
I often define brainspotting as “Therapy on steroids.” Because I find that the progress you make from just 1 brainspotting session can only be compared to the progress you can make from multiple traditional talk therapy sessions.
With talk therapy, you have to rely on the intuition, training and competence of your therapist to ask the right questions and to guide you to the place they think you should go in your mind.
With brainspotting, you are in charge. Your therapist isn’t telling you what to work on. You will innately bring up what needs to come up. This is amazing because trauma already makes you feel as if you have lost all control of your mind and body. Brainspotting can empower you to reconnect with your mind and body.
With traditional therapy, your therapist helps you calm down, regulate your emotions and pokes and prods until they have hit the right target. But with brainspotting, your body innately tells you what to talk about- without unnecessary interference from the therapist.
The right trauma therapist in Houston who specializes in brainspotting can masterfully help you learn to trust your body, find calm amidst the storm in your mind and show you how to ask for what you want. A brainspotting therapist functions as a guide- NOT as the expert who is telling you what to do. It is faster and more effective for trauma processing than traditional methods of trauma processing.
If you are ready to clear trauma, find a trauma therapist in Houston who is trained in brainspotting.
What to Expect in Your First Brainspotting Session with a Trauma Therapist in Houston
A typical brainspotting session begins with the therapist asking you what you would like to work on. It could include a memory, or just a general statement like “I feel my heart beating fast everytime I cross the street.”
I will then ask you what emotion comes up when you think about the above statement. Then you locate where the emotion sits in your body and rate it from 1-10.
After that I give you the space to see what comes up for you. Some people are quiet the entire time, while they feel their thoughts swirling around. And others verbally talk through what is coming up for them. It feels like being caught in a whirlwind of emotions, followed by a strong resolution and then, peace.
It is safe, non evasive and helps you move according to your own pace.
My job as a trauma therapist in Houston is to provide a supportive and personalized approach for women.
The Life-Changing Benefits of Brainspotting Therapy
Brainspotting is life changing. After the brainspotting session, you might even continue processing the trauma in your sleep (don’t worry, no nightmares). It’s like your brain helps you iron out the kinks so that you can remove the trauma that was trapped in your brain.
My clients have experienced emotional clarity, decreased anxiety, a deeper connection with their body, and of course, healing from past trauma.
Imagine having spent years of your life being trapped with the effects of trauma. In just a few brainspotting therapy sessions, you can now sleep again, you don’t overthink things, your confidence soars, you feel connected to your body again and you can speak up for yourself.
Amazing!
How to Find the Best Trauma Therapist in Houston for Brainspotting
The single most effective factor in the success of therapy is the connection you share with your therapist. Make sure you not only find out if the therapist is an actual therapist (check their license status online), but read their website or profile to see if they resonate with you.
You can start with a Google search, or use a therapy directory such as Psychology Today, Therapy Den, Melanin and Mental health or Therapy Den. There are many others out there.
My clients typically come to me because they like my background. They like that they can dress however they want. No persona needed. I’m also an immigrant, so I get what it is like to feel different.
I laugh A LOT, I show up most times with my Afro hair. I will guide you, support you and check you. Yup, sometimes shade is thrown. But I will also teach you how to be more of your authentic self. Period.
Ready to see how Brainspotting with a trauma therapist in Houston can transform your life? Click here to book your free consultation call with me for brainspotting trauma therapy and take the first step toward a brighter, healthier 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:
Couples who want to regain their friendship and trust
If you’re ready to take the next steps, click here.
Finding the Best Trauma Therapist in Houston and Katy: Empowering Women to Heal
You’ve had it rough. Lots of cruel, sad things have happened to you, and you’re not sure how you’ve survived or made it this far. You’ve noticed that you’re snappy, you struggle to engage with friends, and your walls are up. Maybe it’s time to find a great trauma therapist in Houston to help you finally heal from the trauma.
You’ve had it rough. Lots of cruel, sad things have happened to you, and you’re not sure how you’ve survived or made it this far. You’ve noticed that you’re snappy, you struggle to engage with friends, and your walls are up. Maybe it’s time to find a great trauma therapist in Houston to help you finally heal from the trauma.
You’re tired of being a hard shell. You want to enter your soft girl era.
Trauma therapy is so important because it helps you process through all the yucky memories that are sitting in your body and mind. They say the body doesn't forget.
And that is why I love brainspotting trauma therapy. It’s a non traditional way of approaching trauma in a gentler, but still effective way. With traditional talk therapy it might take a really long time to even feel comfortable broaching the topic of trauma.
But with brainspotting, you can jump right in. Your body does the work for you. And it takes you where you need to go without all the overthinking and cerebral-ness you’ve grown accustomed to.
We know that trauma can have you feeling disconnected from your own body. Brainspotting therapy helps you feel at home again.
So if you’re a woman in Houston or Katy who knows that the time is right for trauma therapy, please know that the first step is to find the right trauma therapist for you. Because the single most important factor in the success of therapy is the fit between the therapist and the client.
What Does a Trauma Therapist in Houston Do?
My job as a trauma therapist is simply to create a safe container so that we can begin to give you access to some of the memories that are locked safely inside your brain.
You see, when you go through trauma, your body does a protective thing by helping you forget some of the information. The problem is from time to time, when you least expect it, some of these memories seep back in at the most inconvenient of times.
And so you sometimes find yourself crying, feeling angry, muscle tightening up, not trusting loved ones, feeling unsafe, and just wanting to crawl up into a ball.
My job is to give you a safe way to begin to unlock and kinda digest those memories so they stop controlling you. In addition to opening you up during brainspotting, I bring in additional skills to help you calm and soothe your body. Because I don’t want you feeling like you have lost all control when you're at the office, when you’re trying to raise your kids or when you’re simply driving down the street.
Why Houston and Katy are Great for Finding Specialized Trauma Therapy
The great thing about the Houston area and Katy being so large is that there is a wide array of competent trauma therapists to choose from. There also is a positive culture of seeking physical and emotional wellness here. You can narrow down by gender, ethnicity, years of experience, style, location, personality, religion etc. You basically have your pick- and that’s a great spot for you to be in.
Brainspotting: A Unique Approach to Healing Trauma
So let’s go back to brainspotting. If you've been doing your research on trauma therapy, you’ve probably heard about EMDR therapy. Well, brainspotting, in my opinion, is the gentler cousin of EMDR.
Brainspotting utilizes your eye movements to help you locate the trauma in the brain so that you can digest it and eliminate it.
There isn’t a whole lot of talking from your therapist. It feels like you get locked in the zone and your brain will naturally bring up whatever needs to come up. I call it ‘Supercharged therapy.’ It’s great for the busy woman who is definitely ready to heal, but does not want to spend a ton of time going back and forth with her therapist.
How Brainspotting Differs from Traditional Talk Therapy
With traditional talk therapy, you might have to give your therapist a play by play of exactly what happened to you. Your therapist asks you questions, you answer them, and then you ping back and forth.
But sometimes giving a play by play of exactly what happened feels like you are getting traumatized all over again.
Let’s be honest, as a busy woman, who has time for all that? You want to get straight to the root of the trauma and yank it out (gently of course) from your brain so it stops controlling you.
Finding a Trauma Therapist in Houston Who Specializes in Brainspotting
If you have decided that you are indeed ready for trauma therapy, then it’s time to start your search.
You can just start with a simple google search. Type in “Trauma therapist Houston” or “Brainspotting therapist Houston.” This is where you need to trust your gut. Pull up the first 5-7 websites and read through them.
Does the therapist appear approachable?
Do they mention trauma or brainspotting?
What are your first impressions of the therapist? Go with that. If you feel meh, then skip on by and move on to the next person.
Once you have narrowed it down to about 3-4 therapists you like, you can schedule a consultation call to see if you feel comfortable with them. Now is the time to be clear on what you want to accomplish, find out about the therapist’s background and style.
If Google searches aren’t your thing, you can use a therapist directory, so you can narrow down by gender, specialty, religion, etc. Some helpful therapist directories are:
What to Expect During Your First Session with a Trauma Therapist
The first step in trauma therapy is typically the assessment session. If I were your therapist, I would want to know all the things about you because it helps me know what interventions to bring in for you. I do not offer cookie cutter service. Period.
You’ll learn about your rights as a client, your responsibilities a client, my responsibilities to you as a therapist, we’ll also talk about your upbringing, social environment, emotional status, romantic relationships, how your career is going, spiritual life, prior diagnoses and experiences with physical and mental health.
All. The. Things.
Why do I need to know this? Because I am looking at you as a unique human. I am assessing to see if trauma therapy is right for you. We are also building a rapport. You’re getting used to me and vice versa.
I will also walk you through what to expect from brainspotting, so that there will be no ugly surprises.
How Trauma Therapy Helps Women in Houston and Katy Reclaim Their Lives
Why do I love brainspotting trauma therapy so much? Because it frees women. They come in feeling small, stifled, overwhelmed, stuck, burdened. And they leave feeling like they can speak up, lift their heads up and go through life without the ugly fog that has been hanging over their heads for years
Taking the First Step: How to Connect with a Trauma Therapist in Houston
Although I’ve already said this, I need to drive it home. Once you select 3-4 therapists, reach out to them through their website or the therapist directory.
Ugly secret. Some therapists will not give you a call back (Not me. I respond to every single email, text and voicemail within 2 business days). It’s because we typically are solo business owners who are doing all the things alone. Don’t fret. If you don’t get a timely response, just move on over to the next person on your list.
Please know that it might take you a few tries to find the therapist for you. But please keep trying until you find the right match.
Ready to start your healing journey with a trauma therapist in Houston? Click here today to book your free consultation call for Brainspotting 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:
Ready to get rid of anxiety, finally kick insomnia or for marriage counseling?