Thank you for taking the time to get to know a little about me and my counseling approach. My name is Gabriela (Gaby) O’Dell and I am a Licensed Professional Counselor, Registered Play Therapist, mother, wife, daughter, student, and friend. At the heart of who I am as a counselor is to live and breathe compassion, empathy, and demonstrate my genuine care of people. We all struggle at different times in our lives and we often need help to work through our own emotions, thoughts, and experiences.
I am very passionate about being a counselor and creating a safe space to support clients with their counseling needs. My experience as a professional and in my personal journey, has taught me the critical life skills integral to connecting with people from all walks of life.
I truly feel every person has all of what they need to heal and work though their own problems, and I recognize how difficult it can be to open up with a stranger. I do my best to help clients feel comfortable with the counseling process and to build trust and rapport. I assure my clients that I will be honest with them, help them to recognize their strengths and courage, while also giving voice to things that could be getting in the way of their progress.
In my time as a counselor I have supported a variety of client's struggling with many complex issues including recovery from early life or adulthood trauma, coping with anxiety and depression, grief and loss, managing strained relationships, dealing with stressful transitions, or balancing busy family life. It can be so hard to discover ways to make meaning of all of difficult experiences, so this is how I can help. I feel very fortunate to engage my clients in their own process of awareness supporting them in integrating those awarenesses for their own growth and recovery.
In my experience, whole life health and wellness comes through a courageous and dedicated walk through mental, emotional, and at times spiritual discovery. I do not focus or emphasize a particular religion or spiritual practice, but am open to exploring how clients make meaning of their own experiences. It is my belief through an honest, supportive, and caring relationship we can often find the parts of ourselves we have lost and discover the contentment, joy, love, peace, and connection we all deserve; connection to ourselves and others.
I function from a Holistic, Attachment, and Mind-Body focused perspective. What this may mean for clients is that if appropriate and a good fit we may use traditional talk therapy along with the use of mind-body oriented therapies such as in relaxation training, mindfulness, play, art, guided imagery, hypnosis, and movement.
It is my hope clients when they come to the end of therapy they know they have been a part of a trusting, authentic, and courageous therapeutic experience. One in which they can walk away from knowing and seeing how hard they have worked to overcome their adversity. People are resilient and incredibly resourceful they may just need someone to help remind them and bring forth some resources that they may not be aware of. I am happy to be part of that process.
Formal Education:
Completed PhD course work in Mind Body Medicine with a Specialization in Integrative Mental Health prospective graduation in Fall 2020
Master of Science in Counseling with a Specialization in Marriage and Family Therapy from Our Lady of the Lake University
Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from The University of Texas at San Antonio
Specialized Training:
Advanced Training in Mind-Body Medicine from the Center for Mind-Body Medicine
Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing Basic Training
Play Therapy Continuing Education to Attain Registered Play Therapy Certification
Trauma Informed Care
Additional areas of focus: Addictions, LGBT, Grief, Intimacy-related issues, Sleeping disorders, Parenting issues, Anger management, Self esteem, Bipolar disorder, Depression, Coping with life changes, Coaching, ADHD, Attachment issues, Caregiver issues and stress, Communication problems, Emptiness, Family of Origin Issues, Family Problems, Forgiveness, Guilt and shame, Isolation / loneliness, Life purpose, Mood disorders , Multicultural Concerns, Post-traumatic stress, Self-love, Women's issues, Workplace issues, Young Adult Issues
Clinical approaches: Narrative Therapy, Somatic Therapy, Trauma-Focused Therapy
TX LPC 19363
These quotes represent just a few of the many positive reviews that we have received for Gabriela O'Dell. We don't pay anyone to provide their review and they are all made voluntarily. Some people's experience receiving therapy with BetterHelp might be different.
Gabriela is great! She has made what would otherwise be an awkward experience, comfortable!
Written on Feb 09, 2020 after therapy with Gabriela for 2 weeks on issues concerning trauma and abuse, and adhd