My story…

First of all, thank you for your interest in learning more about me. Here you will find some nuggets about my personal journey as a human on this planet, and my professional orientation as a therapist holding space for others.

I am someone who values balance, tolerance, safety, and respect. I am a multiracial and multicultural woman, of Indian and Creole descent, with Caribbean and American cultural roots. I define myself within and outside of these demographic boxes. I am loyal, creative, inquisitive and would describe myself as a non-conformist in many ways, although adaptation is a necessary survival mechanism. I didn’t grow up knowing anything about therapy, but I was a soft hearted kid, who always wanted to make sure that other people felt included, and were okay. Throughout early childhood and adolescence, I survived the adversities of complex trauma and grief that led me to pursue a path of mindfulness and mental health. My early coping skills were music and poetry, and I feel like my quest became more embodied at the age of 18 when I embarked to pursue training in Yoga, as an instructor. However, when my brother endured psychosis and went through the mental health system, I dedicated myself to learning more about the human condition, and the constructs that become socially applied to contain us.

Philosophy, psychology, and the arts became my candlelight to make meaning amidst the many storms.

Education:

After earning a Bachelor of Arts in Art Therapy with a Minor in Psychology from Southern Adventist University in Tennessee in December 2015, I pursued a Master of Science in School Counseling. During my graduate studies, I worked as a Mental Health Technician at a residential child and adolescent behavioral hospital and as a Disability Support Services Representative at my alma mater. I completed 800 hours of school counseling internships across elementary, middle, and high school settings. In November 2017, I relocated to France with my partner, where I taught English as a second language to children aged 2-10, completing my final master’s class abroad in the summer of 2018. After working as a school counselor for 5 years, I pursued and completed my post graduate Clinical Mental Health Counseling Certification and began my mission to complete my 3000 hours for state licensure and became an independently licensed professional counselor (LPC) able to service the whole state of Texas through my virtual practice.

Career Moves:

In 2019, I accepted a role as one of the first Professional School Counselors serving private schools through Catapult Learning in Central Florida. Over two years, I provided individual and small group counseling to K-12 students across seven culturally diverse private schools while collaborating with academic leadership teams. In 2021, I relocated again to Georgetown, Texas, with the intention of establishing long-term roots. I worked as an Elementary School Counselor in Austin ISD from 2021-2022, supporting students through the rapid influx of Afghan refugees by creating ambassador programs and peace projects to foster integration. In 2022, I joined Georgetown ISD as an Elementary School Counselor, a role I held for the 2022-2024 school years.

In March 2024, I launched my private practice, Transform Insight Therapy where I design and facilitate constructive seasonal groups, tailored to my clients needs, and I offer a limited number of individual and couple/family sessions for adults. I also accepted and maintain the role of Primary Therapist at Charlie Health, since November 2024, where I provide intensive outpatient individual, couple and family sessions for populations age 8 - 64 years old.

Expertise:

My personal and professional experiences have provided me with a depth of understanding in attachment styles, grief (especially complex grief), mood disturbances (such as anxiety, depression, bipolar, dissociative disorders, and psychosis), obsessive compulsive disorders, eating disorders, early childhood trauma, and relational intimacy issues. I have received additional training to enhance my practice with Internal Family Systems (IFS) Therapy, Sensorimotor Psychotherapy, Psychodynamic Therapy in Polyamory/CNM, LGBTQIA, Veterans, Perinatal Care/Postpartum, and Substance Use Disorders.

I’ve been exposed to a variety of cultural perspectives, enabling me to approach each therapeutic relationship with an open, non-biased mindset. I deeply value the unique qualities each client brings to our therapeutic work and honor their freedom to explore their beliefs and worldview. I enjoy existential therapeutic approaches to help clients develop their sense of meaning and purpose. I am also able to facilitate a number of assessments, such as Career Assessments, Mood & Personality Assessments, OCD assessments, as well as some others upon request. I have collaborated with nonprofit organizations in Tennessee, Florida, and Texas to support individuals and families in accessing essential resources. I have had the opportunity to offer Natural Disaster Support Groups, Eating Disorder Groups, Trauma Focused Groups, Grief Groups, and a wide range of social emotional learning groups. My passion for therapy drives me to create safe, welcoming, and nurturing environments where clients can heal, grow, and gain transformative insights.

On a personal note:

When I am not in a session, I’m typically with my family. You might catch me running errands with my kiddos, or out on a nature walk. When I can, I love capitalizing on precious “me time” where I enjoy writing songs and poetry, exercising, scrapbooking, reading, cooking/baking or following a random curiosity wherever it may lead. I’m also often looking for ways to strengthen my support network and offer support to my close friends and community.

Thanks for taking the time to learn a little bit about me and please feel free to contact me with any questions.

- Raquel :)