Therapy in General

Not at all. Everyone goes through challenges in their life, and while you may have used your strengths to navigate other difficulties you’ve faced, sometimes we may struggle to access those same strengths in new and different situations. It takes courage to recognize you feel overwhelmed and may benefit from a little extra support or even a fresh perspective. In fact, those that seek therapy have enough self-awareness to realize they need a helping hand, and that is something to be admired. You are taking responsibility by accepting where you’re at in life and making a commitment to change the situation by seeking a professional.

Research actually shows that working with a therapist provides long-lasting benefits by giving you the tools you need to avoid triggers, heal damaging patterns and behaviors, and overcome whatever challenges you face. We all have strengths that we may not be utilizing to our fullest potential, so our clinicians will help you identify what those strengths are and how to implement them again in what you’re currently going through so you can get those long-lasting changes you’re seeking.

Family and friends are sometimes biased and are not always the most beneficial when we need real guidance and support. This could be for a number of reasons; because they love us and don’t want to hurt our feelings, family and friends may take our side or defend our actions even when we haven’t made the best decisions. Often times our loved ones get tired of trying to offer support or new ideas, or, because they want the best for us, they will just try to tell you what to do to fix the problem. And frankly, sometimes our friends and family may be part of the problem that brought us to therapy in the first place!

With all that said, a qualified mental health professional can help you approach your situation in a new way: teach you new skills, gain different perspectives, listen to you without judgment or expectations, and help you listen to yourself. A therapist’s job is not to tell you what to do; rather, it’s to help you learn more about yourself and your needs so you can make the best decisions for yourself.

Therapy is completely confidential. You won’t have to worry about others “knowing your business.” If your situation provokes a great deal of negative emotion, if you’ve been confiding in a friend or family member, there is the risk that once you are feeling better you could start avoiding that person so you aren’t reminded of this difficult time in your life.

Medication can be really helpful, especially when symptoms feel intense or overwhelming. It works by easing the physical and emotional reactions you’re having, things like anxiety spikes, panic, sleep issues, or mood swings. What medication doesn’t do is heal the underlying trauma or the patterns your nervous system learned to survive.

Therapy focuses on the root of what you’re experiencing. Together, we look at old patterns, survival responses, and the places where you still feel stuck. As we work through the trauma, those visceral physical and emotional symptoms often start to shift because your body no longer feels like it’s in danger.

Medication and therapy can work well together, and many people use both at different points in their healing. If you have questions or concerns about medication, your therapist will talk through them with you so you can make choices that feel right for you.

Most people notice some sort of shift within the first few sessions, even if it’s just feeling more understood or having a clearer sense of what’s going on. Deeper work, especially around trauma or long‑standing patterns, can take longer. Your therapist will move at a pace that feels right for you and will talk with you about your goals so you always know what you’re working toward. Generally speaking, those that attend therapy regularly are motivated to make lasting changes, and those that follow through with what they learn in sessions will progress the quickest.

When you work with a therapist you feel connected with, it gives you the opportunity to talk through and address your frustrations and emotions in a supportive, empathic, and caring environment. Therapists provide support, problem-solving skills, and improved coping strategies for issues such as depression, anxiety, relationship troubles, unresolved childhood issues, grief, stress management, body image issues and creative blocks. Counselors can be a tremendous asset in helping you achieve personal growth, more satisfying interpersonal relationships, address family concerns, work through marriage issues, and cope with the problems of daily life. Additionally, they are helpful in providing their clients with new perspectives on their problems and experiences, and also can guide you towards a solution or some type of needed closure. The benefits you will obtain from therapy depend on your motivation and commitment level; it’s just like anything else in life, the more you put into it and practice the skills you learn, the more successful you will be in reaching your goals. To sum it up, some of the benefits you may attain from therapy include:

  • Reaching a better understanding of yourself, your goals, and values
  • Developing skills for making your relationships more fulfilling
  • Finding resolution to the issues or concerns that led you to seek therapy
  • Learning new ways to cope with stress and anxiety
  • Managing anger, grief, depression, and other intense emotional concerns
  • Improving communication skills and learning how to establish better interpersonal boundaries
  • Changing old behavior patterns and developing new ones
  • Discovering new ways to solve problems in your family or marriage
  • Improving your self-esteem and boosting self-confidence
  • Ameliorating physical symptoms of stress (i.e., headaches, stomach aches, sleeping problems, ulcers).

It is important to understand that you will get the best results from therapy if you are proactive in the process and willing to do the work. Our clinicians cannot guarantee success by you simply showing up to your sessions. We are your guide and teachers in this process, and we will work together as a team to address what you feel is important and relevant, but you will need to make the link between what you learn in our sessions and your everyday life. Therefore, beyond the work you do in therapy sessions, we may suggest some things you can do outside of therapy to bolster your progress – such as reading a pertinent book, journaling on specific topics, noting and or practicing particular behaviors, or taking actionable steps towards your goals.

Generally, the clients that fare the best are those that are ready to make positive changes in their lives by gaining new perspectives, taking responsibility for their lives, and consistently attending therapy sessions and applying what they learn. We are here to support you through the entire process, so we will regularly check in with you about how you feel like you are progressing and what we might need to tweak or adjust so you are reaching your goals.

Most people start with weekly sessions because it helps you build momentum and gives your nervous system a consistent place to land. Especially with trauma work, that regular rhythm makes it easier to stay connected to the process and notice what’s shifting.

As you start to feel more grounded and supported, you and your therapist can talk about spacing sessions out, some people move to every other week, and others stay weekly because it feels helpful. There’s no one right schedule. It really depends on what you’re working through, how you’re feeling between sessions, and what kind of support you want.

Your therapist will check in with you regularly so you can adjust the pace together in a way that feels sustainable and safe.

There’s no set timeline for therapy. How long you stay really depends on what you’re working through, how you’re feeling between sessions, and what kind of support you want. Some people come in for a few months to work on something specific. Others stay longer because they find the ongoing support helpful as life continues to shift.

You never have to commit to therapy forever. Your therapist will check in with you regularly about how things are going, what feels different, and whether you want to keep going, slow down, or wrap up. You get to decide the pace and the length, and we’ll support you in whatever feels right

Resilience Counseling and Wellness therapy office in Houston, TX
Resilience Counseling & Wellness therapy office in Texas

What to Expect

Starting therapy for the first time can feel like a big step, so we try to make the process as clear and comfortable as possible. Your first session is really about getting to know you and setting you up for success. Your therapist will spend time hearing what’s been going on, what you’re hoping to understand or change, and what feels most important right now. There’s no pressure to share everything at once, especially with trauma work.

Because this is your first appointment, there are also a few things your therapist legally needs to cover before you begin deeper work. We know that can feel like a lot when even showing up is already a big step, so we move through it gently and at a pace that feels manageable.

Here is what your therapist will go over with you:

  1. Confidentiality and what it means for your care
  2. Practice policies, including what to do in an emergency, the best way to contact your therapist, financial agreements, the cancellation policy, and how to schedule
  3. Your intake forms — please complete them ahead of time so your therapist has a clear picture of how to support you
  4. Your expectations for therapy and what you can expect from your therapist — clarity on both sides helps the work stay grounded and successful
  5. What you want for yourself — and it’s completely okay if you don’t know yet; part of therapy is figuring that out together

As you continue, sessions usually involve talking through what you’re experiencing, learning how your nervous system responds to stress or past events, and building tools that help you feel more grounded. If you and your therapist decide to use a trauma‑focused approach like EMDR, Brainspotting, Somatic Experiencing, Breathwork, or ART, you’ll spend time preparing first, learning how to stay steady, practicing grounding skills, and making sure you feel supported.

When you’re ready, your therapist will guide you through processing in a way that feels safe and manageable. Processing simply means helping your brain and body work through experiences that may still feel stuck. It’s done slowly, with lots of check‑ins, and you’re always in control of the pace. Your therapist will help you understand what’s happening, why you’re doing it, and how to stay grounded throughout the process. You’ll never be pushed faster than feels safe.

The relationship you have with your therapist is priority. It creates trust, positive communication, and the ability to do deeper work, which is why you came to us. You might notice in those first few sessions, your therapist may not have any initial recommendations because they are taking time to get to know you and build trust and connection.

We feel it is incredibly important to take time to connect with our clients in the beginning, rather than throwing out interventions that may or may not be helpful for you, which can often lead to frustration. We cater our work to each client and their individual needs, rather than treating someone as a diagnosis or forcing a specific therapeutic model onto them. You are a person, not a diagnosis.

It’s completely okay if the first therapist you meet with doesn’t feel like the right fit. Therapy works best when you feel comfortable and understood, and sometimes it takes a little time to find that connection. We encourage open communication, so if something your therapist is doing isn’t working for you or doesn’t feel aligned with what you’re wanting, please let them know. Therapy is a collaborative process, and your feedback helps us support you more effectively.

We also know that not every therapist is the best match for every client, even when everyone is doing their best. If concerns come up or you realize you’d connect better with someone else, you’re welcome to talk with your therapist about it. And if a change feels right, Frankie can help you think through what you’re needing and match you with another clinician whose style or approach may be a better fit.

Our priority is that you get the care you need, even if that ends up being with a different therapist. You deserve to feel supported, safe, and understood.

Logistics

Our building has 2 garages, one on either side, East and West. The garage closest to 610 is the East garage and the one furthest from 610 is the West garage. There are also 3 lobbies, each with a set of elevators. We recommend parking in the East garage. It is the easiest garage to turn into and leave from, especially during times of traffic.

There are restrooms located on each floor behind or across from the elevators. Take the first set of elevators you see to the 4th floor, turn left at the hallway, and walk until you see 435W on your left. We’re closer to the middle of the building so it may feel like a long walk. We have a sign with our logo next to the door as well as a logo film on the door to the waiting room.

When you arrive, come inside and tap the screen on the wall‑mounted tablet. Select your therapist’s name, enter your initials, and tap ‘notify.’ This sends your therapist a message letting them know you’re here, and they’ll come get you as soon as they’re free. Sessions can occasionally run a few minutes over, but your therapist should meet you within about five minutes of your start time.

While you wait, you’re welcome to settle in, enjoy the calming music, and help yourself to a mint or lifesaver.

We do have a water and hot tea station further inside the suite, so please do not hesitate to let your therapist know you would like some refreshment. We have 8 kinds of tea with raw sugar, stevia, and honey spoons available to adapt to your taste.

We’re out‑of‑network providers and don’t work directly with any insurance plans. Many of our clients are still able to use their out‑of‑network benefits to get partial reimbursement for sessions. We can help you check those benefits so you know what your plan may cover. You can click here to learn more about that.

Our therapists do have a limited number of reduced‑rate spots. Those are typically reserved for established clients who are going through a difficult time. We don’t have any sliding‑scale openings for new clients at this time.

Resilience Counseling and Wellness therapy waiting room in Houston

What People Are Saying

Therapy is going so well! We are doing hard work and it’s very different than any other therapy I’ve done, but I’ve had a great experience and feel very seen and confident in my treatment. I appreciate how validating this experience has been. I always leave feeling soothed and more confident/motivated.

A Client, Your Content Goes Here

Kristen is amazing. Very present and I love what she said in our first session—that her goal is to learn what it’s like to be me and to walk alongside me. I feel a difference since working with her and am so grateful to have found your practice and Kristen!

K.H.
I have been seeing Kristen Gallien for a few months and she is wonderful!  She makes me feel heard and understood and has been a wonderful support!  I’m so grateful I found her!
E.G.

Absolutely life-changing! My therapist is amazing and I’m so happy to be working with her! I’ve told all my friends about her!

A Client

I have been seeing Ashlie for almost a year and a half.  She almost feels like a friend that I can talk to but one that offers good advice.  I like having her to bounce my feelings off of and having her guidance to navigate personal and business situations. I’m feeling pretty good about things in my life right now, but I look forward to our 2x per month sessions and being able to talk things out with her.

S.W.

Things are going really well with our therapist. My daughter really likes going to see her and it’s great to see her high comfort level with an adult. She is wonderful.

A Client

I’ve been with Ashlie for at least 3 years, (If not more?) I’ve made great strides in my therapy! I’m a childhood trauma survivor. I spent most of my life simply surviving. After another traumatic event, I finally sought help.

Ashlie helped me understand my trauma. She explained the reasons for my inner turmoil. She was patient and supportive. I felt accepted and safe. I have said many times that Ashlie saved my life and I’m grateful for the tools she provided me. I was very lost for very long and Ashlie led me through the darkness.

I have more work ahead of me and I know I can count on Ashlie to see me through the rest of my journey. “Thank you” doesn’t encapsulate the gratitude I feel for you. You helped me find true happiness!

K.C.

Ashlie is amazing 💙 I find myself referencing things she’s said to me, and she’s opened my mind to a lot of belief patterns I had that I wasn’t aware of. She’s also very open-minded to recommending or referring you to any other therapy methods she thinks might benefit you. I think my favorite thing about her though is she’s honest and direct, yet very in tune to take things at my pace, and never pressures me to do any type of therapy or have any type of conversation I’m not ready for. 💙

N.W.

Thank god Kristen recommended EMDR to me. Before it, I genuinely didn’t think I was going to ever feel better, but after only about 2ish months I’m functional again. Also, I like that she said “We’re not trying to make you see your trauma in a positive light, we’re just trying to turn it into a memory that doesn’t hurt you anymore” because I was worried I’d have to act happy by the end of EMDR therapy. But no, the memory still sucks but it really doesn’t hurt anymore!

A Client

Ready to Begin Your Journey Back to Yourself?

Whether you’re recovering from trauma, navigating life transitions, or simply yearning for a deeper connection to yourself, somatic and polyvagal therapy can help you come home to your body and your life.

We’re here to walk alongside you—compassionately, gently, and skillfully.