Hello There!

what an honor that you have chosen to visit my profile in a sea of therapists out there. I want to be brief in this paragraph, and in a few words explain my approach to therapy, if it matches what you are looking for, continue reading, and hopefully we get to meet in the near future! 

My name is Michael, I am a Licensed Professional Counselor Associate, under the supervision of  Charles LaDay, License Professional Counselor Supervisor, License #  74266. I have been working in mental health for the past 10 years, with high risk clients, specializing in different diagnosis and emotional stressors.

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I aim to bring not only the trainings and education needed to be an excellent clinician, but the personality to make sure my clients feel connected, understood, care for and safe. I am sure you have heard this before, but at Cypress Counseling, we make sure to match our clients with the therapist trained in their emotional needs, accompanied by empathy, humor and honesty.

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I am passionate about destigmatizing mental health for BIPOC clients and male clients who believe that we need to normalize feelings or feel completely lost in their sense of pride or shame.
Still interested?? that is awesome, let me share with you a bit about my story, education, trainings and approaches. Hope to see you soon! 

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My Story

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My path to becoming a therapist began with a deep desire to understand the human experience, especially the parts we often keep hidden. I was born and raised in Panama, where mental health was often stigmatized or misunderstood. From a young age, I encountered people who were silently struggling, and I found myself drawn to listening, connecting, and wanting to help. That early curiosity and empathy have stayed with me, shaping the therapist I am today. Over the years, I’ve worked with people from all walks of life each with their own story, their own challenges, and their own strength. While working in community mental health, I had the opportunity to support individuals across the full spectrum of mental health diagnoses, and I saw the difference that compassionate, culturally-aware care can make. Whether sessions were in English, or Spanish,, what mattered most was creating a safe, judgment-free space where people felt seen and heard. 

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My Trainings

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• Person-Centered Therapy - Providing a warm, empathetic, and nonjudgmental space where you can be fully yourself.

• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) - To help you identify and reshape unhelpful thought patterns that may be holding you back.

• Narrative Therapy -  Empowering you to re-author your story in a way that centers your resilience, agency, and growth.

• Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)-  To support emotional regulation, distress tolerance, mindfulness, and interpersonal effectiveness, especially helpful for clients navigating intense emotions, relational struggles, or personality disorders. I'm in the process of completing specialized training in DBT to support individuals living with Borderline Personality Disorder and other complex diagnoses.

• Play Therapy- Using play as a developmentally appropriate way for children to express feelings, process experiences, and build emotional and social skills in a safe and creative environment.

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My Certifications

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Currently working on becoming a DBT Certified Therapist

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Education

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• Bachelor of Science in Psychology (summa cum laude) from the University of Houston

• Master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at the University of Houston–Victoria

  • Graduated with a 4.0 GPA

  • Program is CACREP-accredited​​​​​​​
     

• My work is rooted in cultural humility, and I welcome clients from all backgrounds, identities, and walks of life.

• I offer a space where clients feel understood, supported, and empowered to grow.

• I believe there’s no greater reward than seeing someone realize:

  • They don’t have to carry their burdens alone

  • They are not broken

  • Healing is possible

• My approach is collaborative and person-centered, grounded in:

  • Empathy

  • Cultural humility

  • Deep respect for your lived experience

• Whether you’re facing a major life challenge or simply feeling stuck, I’m here to walk alongside you as you discover your path forward.​