My approach to psychotherapy is humanistic, psycho-dynamic and relational. I view healing of the whole person as part of an individual’s natural development and growth. This therapeutic process provides an introspective, empathetic focus, aimed at understanding, removing emotional blocks and moving toward ongoing growth. After assessing the individual's concerns, needs and goals, I make psychiatric referrals when necessary for prescriptive treatment and work closely with the psychiatrist, so that collaborative treatment planning and treatment options can be considered. I believe the relationship between the client and therapist is where the most significant healing occurs. Psychotherapy becomes a creative process, incorporating mindful attentiveness to one's self as well as the self of the other. The healing of mind, body and spirit merges into a solid foundation of the integrated self. Through the use of a variety of approaches such as psychodynamic, cognitive-behavioral and attachment theory, I offer a warm, accepting environment for the disclosure of emotions, experiences and secrets that may be difficult to discuss or have been held inside. Throughout our work together, we will bring awareness and light to the areas of your life where you feel stuck. Therapy can be a place to unravel your life story in order to “make sense” of it. The weaving of past stories, events, feelings and traumas, with current emotions, patterns, stressors and events will enable you to integrate the past with the present.

Have you been struggling with your relationship with food and your body? Does food or your appearance make you feel anxious or guilty? Do you find food, the need to exercise or body size to be occupying all of your thoughts? You CAN change your relationship with food and your body and I would like to help. I specialize in helping people work through their anxiety and fears related to food. Creating a safe, non- judgmental environment, we can help you recover your true self. Therapy does and can work to decrease the intense feelings of guilt, shame, fear and depression. I truly believe that no one needs or deserves to suffer. I want to work with you to liberate yourself from self defeating thought and introduce you to your true power and happiness.

Michael Soderstrom, M.A., LPC-S provides a caring and compassionate, confidential environment that begins by nurturing the client, building on strengths, and increasing life satisfaction from the first minute of the initial consultation. Michael is a current member of the International OCD Foundation (IOCDF). Michael is a certified graduate of the IOCDF Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder Treatment Institute taught by the top researchers and professionals in the world. This treatment is proven by research to be the most effective treatment for OCD. Research shows that CBT/ERP, on average, can reduce symptoms of OCD by 60-70%. Michael treats Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) and other anxiety disorders such as Social Phobia, Hypochondriasis, Panic Attacks, Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Trichotillomania, and phobias. He specializes in implementing Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT), using Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) and other evidenced-based treatment protocols. Michael is a certified graduate of the International OCD Foundation's (IOCDF) training program teaching the most effective treatments for OCD. I am now presenting a seminar for parents of children with OCD titled "Surviving Your Child's Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD): The Seminar No Parent Should Miss!" Houston OCD Counseling is also starting two OCD support groups that will meet once per month. There will be a support group for Adolescents with OCD and a support group for Adults with OCD.

Do you feel like you need somebody to talk to? Have you been thinking about seeing a psychologist or counselor for a while? Many people like yourself seek a therapist out, rather than solely friends or family, for different reasons. Some are worried they may be judged. Some don't think others necessarily "get" them. Other people don't want to feel like they are burdening friends and family with their problems. Perhaps you think friends and family have done their share of listening, and it's time for you to work with a professional. I believe that almost everybody, from time to time, can use the help of a psychologist or therapist. Most of the people I see in my practice are highly successful professionals (I include in this group stay-at-home parents, whom I consider to be both successful and professional). Services offered include: Counseling (in person, and phone sessions available) Couples Counseling Life Coaching Sliding Scale Counseling

You're one step closer to a new you where you feel empowered and on a positive path to growth and well-being. As solution-focused therapists, our goal is to help you uncover your true potential and lead a life that is worth celebrating. While we can't change difficult situations of the past, we can work together to better understand and resolve challenges in your life. By applying complementary therapeutic approaches and techniques, we will unearth long-standing behavior patterns or negative perceptions that may be holding you back from experiencing a more fulfilling and meaningful life. If you're looking for extra support and guidance through a challenging situation or you're just ready to move in a new direction in your life, we look forward to working with you to achieve your goals. Please call or email us for an individual, couples or family therapy consultation today.

Therapy for Families helps children, adolescents, adults, individuals, couples, and families by providing emotional support as well as compassionate therapy. We welcome individuals suffering from anxiety, depression, addiction, family conflict, and daily stress. There are numerous approaches to therapy, we use researched based  therapeutic models to help with your individual, couple or family situation. Our focus is for individuals to obtain self discovery and work towards peace and wholeness.

What Interests Me I’m interested in what we can do that can make a significant difference in your Life… --Some people see me in order to eliminate Feelings that trouble them…sometimes that’s Jealousy, Anger, Sadness, Fear, Shame, and Guilt… -- Some people see me because they’re looking to eliminate Craving, Interest, Openness, or Desire to drink or use… --Sometimes people continue to be troubled by Impressions that were left by Experiences that were difficult for them… If we could get it done, what could we get done that would make a difference for you…?

Do you sometimes feel overwhelmed or out of control with food? Does food make you feel anxious? Are you tired of food and guilt controlling your thoughts, actions, and behaviors? You CAN break free from unhealthy thinking and eating patterns. I’d like to help. I specialize in helping people overcome food and body image related obsessions that prevent them from being fully present, content and satisfied in their lives. Whether you’ve been suffering from an eating disorder or simply feel uncomfortable in your body, therapy can help you. I care about people and their problems. I want to work with you to help you overcome your doubts and fears and attain freedom from the behaviors that control and limit you from being your most joyful self. Email or call me and let's get started! About Rachel: Rachel’s passion is to help people discover their personal gifts and strengths to achieve self-acceptance, create a healthy relationship with food, mind and body, and find meaning and fulfillment in work and life roles. She works in a broad range of areas including depression, anxiety, relationship, mindfulness, career counseling, wellness and work life balance coaching. Her areas of specialty and expertise are emotional and compulsive overeating, binge eating, yo-yo dieting, and helping people create the life they’re meant to live. Experience: Rachel has helped clients of all ages with food and body image issues, relationship, career, and personal concerns from students through adults nearing retirement. Rachel’s professional path includes therapy and career counseling in university, government, and healthcare settings as well as employee assistance programs with prior experience in human resources, training and workshop facilitation. Having spent several years living and working overseas, Rachel has practical insight into cross-cultural issues, and dealing with culture shock and relocation. Keys to Rachel’s success as a counselor are her skills in perceiving situations intuitively, quickly assessing and focusing on strengths, compassionate style, empathetic concern for others while understanding their needs and aspirations, and integrating multiple facets of people to maximize their potential. Philosophy: Therapy and career counseling is a collaborative partnership using a holistic (incorporating all aspects of your self), self-compassionate, mindful, strengths-based perspective. Cooperatively, goals are set and worked on through a process of learning and growing, while developing new tools and strategies for managing change. Discovering and utilizing our own personal gifts and strengths is the key to health, happiness and meaningful change.

Do you sometimes feel overwhelmed or out of control with food? Does food make you feel anxious? Are you tired of food and guilt controlling your thoughts, actions, and behaviors? You CAN break free from unhealthy thinking and eating patterns. I’d like to help. I specialize in helping people overcome food and body image related obsessions that prevent them from being fully present, content and satisfied in their lives. Whether you’ve been suffering from an eating disorder or simply feel uncomfortable in your body, therapy can help you. I care about people and their problems. I want to work with you to help you overcome your doubts and fears and attain freedom from the behaviors that control and limit you from being your most joyful self. Email or call me and let's get started! About Rachel: Rachel’s passion is to help people discover their personal gifts and strengths to achieve self-acceptance, create a healthy relationship with food, mind and body, and find meaning and fulfillment in work and life roles. She works in a broad range of areas including depression, anxiety, relationship, mindfulness, career counseling, wellness and work life balance coaching. Her areas of specialty and expertise are emotional and compulsive overeating, binge eating, yo-yo dieting, and helping people create the life they’re meant to live. Experience: Rachel has helped clients of all ages with food and body image issues, relationship, career, and personal concerns from students through adults nearing retirement. Rachel’s professional path includes therapy and career counseling in university, government, and healthcare settings as well as employee assistance programs with prior experience in human resources, training and workshop facilitation. Having spent several years living and working overseas, Rachel has practical insight into cross-cultural issues, and dealing with culture shock and relocation. Keys to Rachel’s success as a counselor are her skills in perceiving situations intuitively, quickly assessing and focusing on strengths, compassionate style, empathetic concern for others while understanding their needs and aspirations, and integrating multiple facets of people to maximize their potential. Philosophy: Therapy and career counseling is a collaborative partnership using a holistic (incorporating all aspects of your self), self-compassionate, mindful, strengths-based perspective. Cooperatively, goals are set and worked on through a process of learning and growing, while developing new tools and strategies for managing change. Discovering and utilizing our own personal gifts and strengths is the key to health, happiness and meaningful change.