In-Person in Houston, TX 77018
Online in Texas
At Vada Counseling, all of our therapists are queer and/or trans, and we bring that lived experience into every session. We understand the realities you’re navigating, and you won't have to explain, defend, or translate your identity or experiences. Our work is grounded in liberation, cultural humility, and care that rejects pathologizing frameworks.
We focus on collaborative, transparent therapy where consent, autonomy, and shared power lead the way. Clients come to us when they want support that recognizes trauma, identity, and systemic harm without losing sight of individual strengths and self-determination. If you’re looking for care rooted in decolonizing and anti-carceral values, Vada Counseling offers a space where you can simply be, and be understood.
Client Focus
Session Format: Couple, Family, Group, Individual sessions.
Age Specialty: Adult, Children, Senior, Teen, Young Adult
Demographic Expertise: Asian, Black / African American, Buddhist, Hindu, Hispanic / Latino, LGBTQ+, Middle Eastern, Persons with Disabilities, Women clients.
Languages: English, Spanish
Treatment Approach
- Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT) Helps people accept difficult thoughts and feelings instead of fighting them, while committing to actions that reflect their values. It blends mindfulness with practical behavior strategies.
- Art Therapy Uses creative activities like drawing, painting, or sculpture as a way to express emotions. It is especially helpful when words are hard to find.
- Biopsychosocial Therapy Takes into account biological, psychological, and social factors in understanding mental health. It looks at the whole person, not just symptoms.
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) One of the most widely used approaches, CBT helps people identify unhelpful thoughts and replace them with healthier patterns. It is effective for anxiety, depression, and many other concerns.
- Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) An evidence-based treatment for PTSD that teaches clients to reframe unhelpful thoughts about trauma. It helps reduce guilt, shame, and fear.
- Compassion-Focused Therapy (CFT) Builds skills in self-kindness and compassion toward others. It is especially helpful for people who struggle with shame or self-criticism.
- Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) Combines CBT with mindfulness to help regulate emotions, tolerate stress, and build stronger relationships. Originally designed for borderline personality disorder, it’s now used more broadly.
- Eclectic Therapy Draws from different therapeutic methods based on what fits each client best. It is flexible and personalized rather than following one single model.
- Existential / Humanistic Therapy Encourages people to explore meaning, freedom, and authenticity in their lives. It focuses on personal growth and living in alignment with one’s values.
- Experiential Therapy Involves hands-on activities to bring emotions into the present moment. It helps clients process feelings more deeply than through conversation alone.
- Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) A structured therapy that uses guided eye movements to help process traumatic memories. It is widely recognized for treating PTSD and trauma-related conditions.
- Family Systems Therapy Looks at problems within the context of the family as a whole. It aims to improve communication and balance in family relationships.
- Feminist Therapy Addresses how gender roles, power, and social inequality affect mental health. It empowers clients to challenge limiting beliefs and systems.
- Gestalt Therapy Encourages awareness of thoughts, feelings, and actions in the present moment. It helps people integrate different parts of themselves for wholeness.
- Gottman Method Couples Therapy Based on decades of research, this method gives couples tools to improve communication, manage conflict, and strengthen intimacy.
- Internal Family Systems (IFS) Helps clients heal by working with different ‘parts’ of themselves, like inner critics or wounded children. It fosters harmony within the self.
- Ketamine-Assisted Therapy Combines low doses of ketamine with psychotherapy to treat depression, trauma, and anxiety. It can provide relief when other methods haven’t worked.
- Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) Combines mindfulness practices with CBT to prevent depression relapse. It helps people notice thoughts without judgment and respond more calmly.
- Motivational Interviewing (MI) A collaborative, client-centered approach that strengthens motivation for change. It is especially effective for addictions and health behaviors.
- Multicultural Therapy Acknowledges the role of culture, race, and identity in mental health. It values diversity and adapts treatment to each person’s background.
- Narrative Therapy Encourages people to view problems as separate from themselves and reframe their life story. It helps build resilience and self-identity.
- Person-Centered Therapy (Rogerian) Emphasizes empathy, unconditional positive regard, and authenticity. It provides a safe space for self-discovery and growth.
- Psychodynamic Therapy Explores unconscious thoughts and patterns that influence current behavior. It builds insight into how the past impacts the present.
- Psychoeducational Therapy Provides education and coping tools about mental health conditions. It empowers clients with knowledge and practical skills.
- Psychosocial Therapy Looks at how social and environmental factors affect psychological health. It emphasizes relationships, community, and resilience.
- Relational Psychotherapy Emphasizes the healing power of the therapist-client relationship. It uses trust and safety as a foundation for change.
- Social Constructionist Therapy Looks at how social and cultural context shapes identity and problems. It helps clients create new narratives of meaning.
- Somatic Therapy Helps clients notice how emotions are stored in the body. It uses breath, movement, and awareness for healing trauma and stress.
Approach Description: Our therapists' approaches are grounded in accessibility, authenticity, community, and social justice, meaning we're *real* people who care about the many identities and experiences that shape who you are. Our therapists center trauma-informed, LGBTQ+ affirming care and support clients navigating trauma, grief, life transitions, relationship stress, neurodivergence, identity exploration, and more. Therapy with us means you can speak freely, explore your patterns, and build tools that feel sustainable in your day-to-day life without feeling judged or dismissed.
Education & Credentials
Vada Counseling
- Female, Gender Fluid, Male, Non-Binary
- License # 73866
- Licensed in TX
- Practicing Since 2015
Finances
Fees
- Average Session Fee 120
- Affordable sliding scale therapy: apply if you may be eligible.
- We don't want cost to be a barrier to good therapy, so we offer a flexible sliding scale on an as-needed basis.
- Accepts Insurance
- Aetna, Cigna, Curative, United (Optum)
Vada Counseling Practice Details
Therapy Sessions
- Available In-Person in Houston, TX 77018
- Available Online for residents of Texas
- Online Therapy Details: https://vadacounseling.clientsecure.me