Cara Haynie Pena LPC

The most important aspect to know about working with me is that I am caring, empathetic and non-judgmental. I use the very coping skills and tools that I teach my clients to overcome the issues they are having trouble dealing with in life. These tools work, and can be incorporated into your life to help you make the positive changes you need to live a happier life, whether it's depression, anxiety, relationship problems, stress and work problems, or other issues you may be incurring. While I am certified in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, we will use a therapeutic approach that best suits your needs.

Stress and fear of stigma can be the biggest barriers today for people seeking care for their mental health. While as a society we have come a long way in talking about mental health issues and the need for self-care, many people still see depression, alcohol and drug abuse, relationship problems, etc., as something that is not talked about outside the home. Many are still embarrassed about mental health problems and that in itself stops some from seeking help. It is my feeling that the more knowledge we have about our mental health, the better equipped we are to take care of the most important muscle in the body--the brain.

Your session is yours, and therapy goals are set by you. We will have a thorough discussion of what you are having difficulty with, and in what direction you would like your life to go. We will discuss what that looks like for you and my goal is to provide you with quality of care and professionalism throughout this process by utilizing the guiding principles of compassion, respect, and empathy in a way that builds on your strengths. My overall goal is to continually create positive change through integration of healthy behaviors while increasing self-esteem and self-confidence. Each client will be treated as a unique individual with unique needs and circumstances.

• Texas, Licensed Professional Counselor, 15667

I started my internship in a private psychiatric hospital for inpatient treatment, then went to work as a therapist in our local county mental health facility while also working with the medical director of psychiatry at the University Counseling Center at TAMU-CC. From there, I opened my private practice, and continued to see clients at the local mental health clinic, and the county jail for several years. I also spent several years during this time supervising interns at the mental health clinic and at a recovery center for alcohol and drug abuse.