therapy for women in Houston
Hey there,
I know life today can feel overwhelming. As a woman, you’re likely juggling a million things at once—family, work, personal aspirations. The world often demands a lot from you, and you’re expected to wear so many hats. But with all that, it’s easy to feel like you’re losing sight of yourself or falling short. I want you to know that you’re not alone in these feelings, and it’s okay to ask for help.
Let’s talk about some of the common struggles many women face and how therapy can help you regain balance, clarity, and peace.
Brain Facts for Women
Women’s brains are more susceptible to long-term stress than men.
Adverse effects of high stress and cortisol are more detrimental to the female brain than the male brain.
Stress is activated in the brain, resulting in a much more substantial impact on a woman’s well-being.
By reducing daily stress, women can improve their overall health.
Women tend to feel higher stress between ages 25 and 54, and it peaks between ages 35 and 44 (when women are juggling work goals and the brunt of family responsibilities, equivalent to two full-time jobs).
common experiences women face:
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If you’re constantly rushing between responsibilities, from work to home to taking care of everyone else, you may feel like there’s no time left for you. It’s exhausting, right? The constant pressure to excel—as a mom, partner, friend, employee—can leave you drained and overwhelmed. It’s easy to burn out, and you might feel like you’re losing yourself in the process.
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From a young age, women are often subjected to societal pressures that dictate how they should look, behave, and succeed. The expectations to meet unrealistic beauty standards, perform perfectly in every role, and constantly measure up can cause deep feelings of inadequacy, low self-esteem, and anxiety.
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Despite your accomplishments, you may often feel like you’re faking it or that you don’t deserve the success you’ve worked so hard for. This is called imposter syndrome, and it’s incredibly common among women. The self-doubt and fear of being found out can hold you back from truly embracing your worth and potential.
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If you’ve experienced harassment, assault, or gender-based violence, it’s deeply important to acknowledge that this trauma can leave lasting emotional scars. Many women carry the weight of these experiences in silence, fearing judgment or feeling like they don’t have the support they need to heal.
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Even in today’s world, many women face challenges like unequal pay, fewer career opportunities, or biased treatment at work. These experiences can create stress, frustration, and feelings of powerlessness, all while affecting your self-esteem and mental health.
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Becoming a mother can be one of the most joyful experiences, but it can also come with immense pressure and feelings of loss around your personal identity. You might feel overwhelmed by the demands of parenting, while also battling mom quilt or struggling with the idea of having to be the perfect mom.
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It’s easy to feel like there’s no escape from the stress, anxiety, and the pressure that life often throws your way. Whether it’s the demands of your job, personal life, or the constant noise of a busy world. Chronic stress can leave you feeling constantly overwhelmed.
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Life changes like menopause, aging, or becoming an empty-nester can bring about emotional challenges. You might feel lost or unsure of your place in the world as you navigate these shifts in your identity and physical health. For many women, these changes can affect their emotional and mental well-being, leading to depression, anxiety, and struggles with self-image.
No matter your challenges, we are here, ready to support you.
Depression
Some symptoms may include significant lack of pleasure in most activities; feeling sad most of the time; significant weight loss or weight gain; decreased appetite, insomnia or hypersomnia, irritability, fatigue, poor concentration; pessimism or helplessness; suicidal ideations or thoughts of death
Anxiety
Common symptoms are: racing heart, sweating, trembling, chest tightness, shortness of breath, feeling dizzy or nauseous, intense feelings of fear, worry, apprehension, irritability, restlessness, sense of impending doom or danger, racing thoughts, difficulty concentrating, excessive worry or rumination, avoidance of certain situations that trigger anxiety, compulsive behaviors.
Self-Esteem
Common signs: difficulty forming or maintaining relationships, fear or failure or embarrassment, feeling unloved, unwanted, or invisible to others, feeling like your opinions, wants, or needs aren’t important, avoiding new experiences or opportunities, negative or highly critical self-talk, comparing yourself to others, feeling sad, anxious, ashamed, depressed, irritable or angry, hyper-focus on the negatives while ignoring valid achievements, difficulty accepting compliments
Women
You may struggle with dating, issues in romantic relationships, difficulty being more assertive, sexual concerns, unhealthy eating, self-defeating and self-sabotaging beliefs and actions, self-esteem concerns, negative self-talk, and feelings of being “unworthy” or “not enough”, career and creativity issues, work-life balance, “imposter syndrome”. You may be struggling with balancing instincts to nurture and desire for achievements. You may feel guilt and shame for wanting to prioritize your personal goals.
Peak Performance
Some challenges faced by athletes, artists, entertainers, and entrepreneurs: creative blocks, performance anxiety, self-doubt, and imposter syndrome, comparing yourself to others, handling rejection, financial health, balancing public image, relationship issues, body image issues, the mentality of “suffering for your art”, chronic stress, burnout, depression, anxiety, substance abuse, self-esteem, anger and conflict resolution, adjusting to your surroundings
perimenopause/menopause
Although this is a natural part of being a woman, it can be a very stressful time marked with symptoms such as irritability, mood changes, hot flashes or chills, insomnia, low energy, brain fog (trouble remembering or recalling words), or sleep disruption.
Grief & Loss
5 Stages of grief: denial, anger, bargaining, depression, acceptance
Some symptoms: intense and or unrelenting emotional pain and sadness, preoccupation with the loss, feelings of hopelessness or emptiness, avoidance of reminders of the loss, detachment and isolation from friends, family, and support networks, difficulty engaging in happy memories of the lost person or time before the loss, lack of desire to pursue previously enjoyed hobbies or activities, a reduced sense of identity
Parents
Parents may experience feelings of isolation, exhaustion, loneliness, anxiety, and depression; can be physically demanding; experience sleep deprivation; feel overwhelmed, overworked, underappreciated, and resentment; struggle with discipline, patience, guilt, and self-fulfillment; irritable or angry; “at your wit’s end”.
Trauma
Common symptoms: anxiety, fear, and panic attacks, depression and feelings of hopelessness, shock, denial, or disbelief, confusion, difficulty concentrating, mood swings, anger, and irritability, shame, guilt, and self-blame, hypervigilance, or a feeling of always being on edge, feelings of numbness or dissociation, social isolation and relational issues
New Moms
This new adjustment period can be challenging for both you and your baby. It’s normal to feel overwhelmed during this ongoing transition. Fluctuations in hormones can make restful sleep difficult, especially when your baby wakes frequently throughout the night. A dip in progesterone and estrogen levels commonly causes mood swings. Your stress level can add to the situation, causing a low milk supply. You may be struggling with self-image and self-esteem. Guilt and anxiety can make you ask yourself: why can’t I solve this on my own? Or why can’t I learn my baby’s cues? You may find yourself comparing yourself to other new mothers. Many couples find that a new baby puts a strain on their relationship. It may be difficult for you to bring your concerns up to your partner. You may be experiencing anxiety, depression, exhaustion, loss of interest in activities, excessive fatigue, mood swings, poor appetite, brain fog, and difficulty bonding with your baby.
Intimacy & Vulnerability
You may experience difficulty creating or maintaining close relationships; hesitation or difficulty trusting others; volatile or unstable relationships; trouble sharing or expressing feelings and emotions; issues being sexually close with a partner or being sexually insatiable; low self-esteem; avoid physical contact and close relationships; feel unworthy of love
So, what will therapy teach you?
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You’ll learn how to recognize and identify emotions, understanding why you feel the way you do, and how your emotions influence your behavior and thoughts. This awareness is the first step in regaining control. Research shows that simply identifying emotions helps calm the amygdala (the part of the brain that processes fear and stress), making it easier for you to respond intentionally.
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We’ll work on building a relationship with yourself that is kind and understanding, rather than critical. Learning to treat yourself with the same compassion you show others is a powerful tool for healing. Neuroscience show that practicing self-compassion activates the prefrontal cortex (the area of the brain responsible for decision-making and emotional regulation), helping you to think more clearly and make better choices when it comes to your well-being.
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Therapy will teach you ways to be more present in your daily life—whether through mindfulness, grounding exercises, or just learning to slow down and tune into your body and mind. This helps reduce anxiety and stress.
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You’ll lean how to challenge negative thought patterns and replace them with healthier, more balanced ways of thinking. When you can shift your mindset, you shift your experience. In neuroscience terms, this is known as neuroplasticity—the brain’s ability to rewire itself.
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Therapy will teach you how to set and communicate your boundaries clearly and assertively, allowing you to prioritize your needs and protect your emotional well-being. When you set healthy boundaries, you’re reducing the stress response in your brain. In fact, the act of saying “no” can lower cortisol levels (the stress hormone) and boost feelings of control and confidence.
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Life can be tough, but therapy will help you build your ability to bounce back. You’ll learn how to deal with setbacks, not as failures, but as opportunities for growth. Neuorscience shows that building resilience strengthens the prefrontal cortex, which improves your ability to regulate emotions and make calm, clear decisions even in the face of adversity.
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One of the most important things therapy will teach you is how to recognize your own value—no matter what anyone else says. You’ll learn to stand up for yourself, to ask for what you need, and to trust your decisions. Neuorscience tells us that when you affirm your worth, you activate the dopamine system—the brain’s reward center—helping you feel more motivated, positive, and confident about yourself and your choices.
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Instead of turning to old, unhealthy habits like perfectionism, people-pleasing, or self-criticism, therapy will teach you healthier ways to cope with stress, anxiety, and tough emotions. For example, practicing deep breathing or progressive muscle relaxation can activate the parasympathetic nervous system, which calms your body and helps you shift out of the “fight or flight” stress response into a more peaceful, balanced state.
we’re committed to helping you feel…
Relaxed. Confident. Balanced. Less alone. Seen. Grounded. In control. Energized. Whole. Heard. Empowered. Good enough. Connected. Assertive. Inspired. Peaceful.