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Professional counseling, coaching,
and consulting services for clients
ready to embrace change,
understand themselves,
uncover their motivations,
and take real steps toward
healthy emotional healing and growth.
VIA | Arts District Business Center
813 N. Main Street
Suite 621
McAllen, TX 78501
Some Thoughts on Counseling,
Self-Discovery and Healing.
This is a space for reflection, insight, and growth. Here, you’ll find thoughts on healing, self-discovery, and the challenges we all face. Whether you’re looking for new perspectives or just a moment to pause and reflect, take what resonates—whenever you’re ready.

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Reclaiming Your Heart: Healing from Romance Scams
Romance scams are emotionally devastating, but healing is possible. Learn how therapy can help you recover from betrayal, shame, and trust issues after a scam.
DBarrera_813
May 214 min read


Is It Really About My Mother? And Why Does My Relationship With Her Affect How Therapy Unfolds?
Mother’s Day can stir up a tender kind of chaos.
For some, it’s a day of gratitude and celebration.
For others, it brings grief, guilt, anger, or a mix of all of the above.
As someone in therapy—you might notice a familiar theme rising again and again: “Is this really about my mother?”
It’s a question that carries both irritation and insight.
Why does she seem to haunt the therapy room, even when we’re talking about work stress, romantic trouble, or anxiety?
The answer i
DBarrera_813
May 74 min read


Mental Health Is for Everyone: What That Really Means
Let’s talk about what mental health really is—and clear up some things people often get wrong.
DBarrera_813
May 34 min read


Why “Hurt People Hurt People”...How and Why It Happens. (Part 1)
During your lifetime, you might have heard the phrase: “Hurt people, hurt people.”
But behind those four words is a much deeper truth about how unhealed pain can shape our entire way of being in the world.
DBarrera_813
Apr 213 min read


Go Where You’re Celebrated, Not Tolerated: A Reflection on Self-Care
There’s a phrase I heard years ago that has quietly stuck with me:
“Go where you’re celebrated, not tolerated.”
At first glance, it sounds like something you'd find on a coffee mug or an Instagram post.
But beneath its simplicity lies a powerful message about boundaries, self-worth, and emotional sustainability.
DBarrera_813
Apr 123 min read


When the Illusion Breaks: Buzz Lightyear, Harsh Realities, and the Role of Therapy.
During our life, we may be confronted with the fact that, sometimes, we are not who we thought we were.
What do we do when that happens?
DBarrera_813
Feb 85 min read


Healing the Inner Child: Beyond the Myths and Misconceptions
Inner child work is more than just revisiting childhood pain—it’s about fostering self-compassion, breaking unhealthy emotional patterns.
DBarrera_813
Feb 46 min read


New Year’s Resolutions. Why Are They So Difficult to Maintain?
Millions of people set New Year’s resolutions, Yet, studies consistently show that by mid-February, most resolutions have been abandoned.
DBarrera_813
Jan 15 min read


Navigating the Emotional Stresses of the Holidays
For many, seasonal celebrations can bring emotional challenges that are anything but joyful.
DBarrera_813
Nov 23, 20243 min read


Breaking the Chains of OCD: Understanding, Misconceptions, and Pathways to Healing
OCD is a mental health condition that can imprison individuals within a relentless cycle of intrusive thoughts and compulsive behaviors.
DBarrera_813
Nov 5, 20244 min read


How to Tell if You’re in a High-Control Religious Situation
Some groups or movements use religious teachings as a tool for control, turning faith into a mechanism for manipulation, fear, and abuse.
DBarrera_813
Oct 22, 20244 min read


Why Our Feelings Matter.
Emotions are fundamental to our existence. They shape how we perceive the world, interact with others, and navigate our inner lives.
DBarrera_813
Oct 17, 20244 min read


LGBTQ+ Mental Health: The Role of Compassionate Counseling
The struggles that LGBTQ+ individuals often face, can be filled with challenges.
Professional counseling can play a vital role in healing.
DBarrera_813
Oct 11, 20243 min read


Understanding Compassion Fatigue: How It Affects Those Who Care the Most
Compassion fatigue is a deep emotional and physical exhaustion that affects those who dedicate their lives to helping others.
DBarrera_813
Oct 11, 20243 min read


How We Become Our Own Worst Critics and How Therapy Can Help Turn Self-Criticism Around
How We Become Our Own Worst Critics and How Therapy Can Help Turn Self-Criticism Around
DBarrera_813
Oct 10, 20243 min read


Navigating Political Conflicts: The Emotional Toll on Relationships and Mental Health
The intensity of political divides can lead to emotional distress and impact one’s mental well-being
DBarrera_813
Oct 5, 20243 min read


The Hidden Cost of People Pleasing: Why It’s Time to Break Free
People-pleasing behavior—where a person prioritizes others’ needs and desires over their own—can lead to deep emotional & psychological harm
DBarrera_813
Sep 30, 20243 min read


Healing from Religious Trauma: Finding Hope, Healing, and Support
If you’ve been hurt by the very beliefs or people you once trusted, it’s important to know that your pain is valid. You are not alone.
DBarrera_813
Sep 24, 20242 min read


Anger Management: Understanding and Controlling Your Anger
Anger is a natural and even necessary emotion, but it can harm your relationships, work, and overall well-being.
DBarrera_813
Sep 24, 20243 min read
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