Cristina Palacios-Makhoul

I am a fully licensed bilingual Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) providing therapy in English and Spanish. I earned a Master of Education in Counseling from the University of Houston, along with bachelor’s degrees in Psychology and Spanish. I work with adolescents, young adults, adults, older adults, couples, and families. My areas of focus include anxiety, depression, grief and loss, trauma, relationship and family difficulties, stress, self-esteem, cultural adjustment, and major life transitions. I provide a warm, culturally sensitive, and nonjudgmental environment where clients can feel heard, respected, and supported.

My therapeutic approach is compassionate, collaborative, and individualized according to each client’s age, experiences, needs, and goals. I incorporate Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), mindfulness, person-centered therapy, grief therapy, and solution-focused techniques. Together, we explore emotions and relationship patterns, identify unhelpful thoughts and behaviors, strengthen coping and communication skills, and develop practical strategies for meaningful and lasting change.

During the first session, I focus on creating a comfortable and welcoming space while learning about the client’s current concerns, relevant history, strengths, relationships, and treatment goals. Clients can expect a respectful, judgment-free conversation and an opportunity to ask questions. Together, we will identify the areas they would like to address and begin developing an individualized plan that reflects their needs, values, and desired outcomes.