My Approach to Helping
Ana G. Reyes, Ph.D., LPC, NCC, CHST
I am Dr. Ana Guadalupe Reyes, a second-generation, bilingual, queer Afro-Latinx non-binary femme-presenting child of [un]documented immigrants, a Licensed Professional Counselor in the State of Texas, a Board Certified Counselor, a Usui Reiki MasterTeacher, and a counselor. As a counselor, I compassionately accompany people through painful moments in their lives, supporting them in moving through their emotions as they come. Specifically, I center my work around the liberation and healing of marginalized and racialized people, particularly immigrants, queer and trans siblings, and black and Latinx people. Yet, my commitment is to support all clients in honoring who they are and co-creating a space where they can heal. I have worked with people who aren't like the rest of us for more than 8 years. I've worked in residential care, integrated health care, and private practice.
The following presuppositions shape my clinical work:
Experiential I believe that healing and growth happen through experiences that allow us to see ourselves, others, and the world differently, particularly through experiences that create awareness and present different possibilities.
Relational. I believe that healing and growth occur in the context of relationships with ourselves, others, and the world around us. Thus, I aim to co-create moments of relational depth with each client.
Reflective I believe that healing and growth require reflection. Reflection requires that we embrace moments of silence, softness, and stillness, which can give way to different ways of knowing, seeing, and being in a relationship with others, intentionally and without judgment. However, action must accompany reflection to create change.
Client-centered. I believe that we all heal and learn in different ways, and it is my responsibility to co-create a sacred space that gently and compassionately holds each client.
Intersectional Through reflection, dialogue, and advocacy work, I believe that healing helps us acknowledge, honor, and integrate our identities and experiences.
Compassionate I believe that a heart-centered approach to healing allows us to emotionally and authentically connect with ourselves, the material presented, and others.
My Approach
My theoretical approach to counseling is gestalt theory, which emphasizes moment-to-moment awareness through one’s connection to self, others, and one’s immediate environment. Gestalt therapy allows clients to process learned patterns of emotions, behaviors, and thoughts while making meaning of their experiences, accepting responsibility, and expressing themselves in an authentic manner. As a gestalt therapist, I value our therapeutic relationship and use dialogue, awareness, and experiments to create a safe and sacred space to facilitate your exploration, healing, and growth. I will be present with you to explore the nature of your experiences, but the responsibility of the work falls on you. I value and respect our innate human diversity, including ability, age, culture, ethnicity, gender identity, language, national origin, race, religion, sexuality, and socioeconomic status. If significant differences, such as culture or belief systems, exist between us, I am committed to working to understand those differences.
Counsel individuals, families, and groups.
English and Spanish
Education:
Doctor of Philosophy in Counseling (P.h.D.), The University of North Texas,
Master’s of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling (M.A.), Marymount University
Bachelor of Forensic Psychology (B.A.), Tiffin University
Credentials or License:
License # 75841 for Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC).
Certificate # 683036, National Certified Counselor (NCC).
A Certified Humanistic Sandtray Therapist (CHST)
Professional Memberships:
The American Counseling Association (ACA)
Association for Counselor Education and Supervision
Association for Multicultural Counseling & Development
Associating for Spiritual, Ethical, and Religious Values in Counseling (ASERVIC)
Counselors for Social Justice (CSJ)
The National Board of Certified Counselors (NBCC)
Sexual, Affectional, Intersex, and Gender Expansive
Clinical Interests
(Please note: This list does not indicate a preference or particular order).
Sexual Identity
Gender Identification
Spiritual and Transpersonal Issues
Anxiety
Trauma, including historical and racial trauma
Survivors of Sexual Abuse and Assault
Interpersonal Concerns
Familial Concerns
Adolescents
Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer + (LGBTQ) Affirmative Therapy
Queer Trans Black Indigenous Peoples of Color (QTBIPOC) Affirmative Therapy