Maria Estela Ayala, LPC-A

I am a Licensed Professional Counselor - Associate (Supervised by Rene Garcia , LPC-S, LMFT-S, LCDC) and graduated from Southern Methodist University, where I specialized in Mental Health and Secondary School Counseling. I received my Bachelor of Arts degree from Austin College in Business Administration and French Language & Culture. I'm a gym rat, and could spend all night dancing salsa ... bachata ... you name it! I love long walks in the sun while catching up en el chismecito with friends. Traveling and exploring places with locals is my passion ... and you can most definitely find me at a coffee shop nerding out to psychology books and similar topics. I have lived in Mexico, and in Paris, France for extended periods of time and thus speak Spanish and French. When I am home, I enjoy the purrs and cuddles of Luna, my rescue kitty. As a therapist, I enjoy working with adolescent girls proven by my last twelve years in an all-girls , private High School in Dallas. I currently serve my clients in both, Spanish and English. I enjoy working with first generation Americans, and multilingual individuals. You can expect me to hold a sacred space to explore your deepest feelings and experiences without judgement. I have experience with adolescent girls and teens exploring feelings of inadequacy, low self-esteem, academic challenges, and relationship challenges. I also have experience with adult women who struggle with relationship dynamics, self-esteem and confidence. I recognize the complexity of the human experience and combine a variety of approaches including CBT approach with Gestalt lens to help my clients grow in self-awareness. Using this approach I help individuals understand their unique needs, understand boundaries and their connection to well-being, and ultimately mental health. One of the greatest honors for me as a therapist is to be by your side as you struggle with some of the most challenging moments of you life. I strive to create a space that is healing, filled with compassion where you can begin to create the life that you so deeply desire. Past experience includes : Cannenta Center for Healing and Empowerment SMU Center for Family Counseling Ursuline Academy of Dallas Scholarship prices are available - please contact Estela directly.