Marie Cruz

I am a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) with a Master of Science in Rehabilitative Counseling from the University of Texas–Pan American. I am also Certified in Dialectical Behavior Therapy (C-DBT) through Evergreen Certifications.

I work with adults experiencing anxiety, depression, stress, low self-esteem, relationship and family concerns, caregiver burnout, life transitions, emotional dysregulation, and difficulties with boundaries and interpersonal relationships. I also support clients who struggle with rumination, feeling overwhelmed, motivation, self-worth, and adjusting to significant changes in their personal or professional lives.

My approach is supportive, collaborative, and practical. I incorporate Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) strategies to help clients strengthen emotion regulation, distress tolerance, mindfulness, and interpersonal effectiveness, while also drawing from other evidence-based approaches based on each client’s individual needs. My goal is to provide a space where clients feel heard and understood while developing practical skills, gaining insight into patterns that may be keeping them stuck, and working toward meaningful, lasting change.

My approach to therapy is collaborative, supportive, and individualized to each client’s needs. I believe therapy should provide a space where clients feel heard and understood while also helping them develop practical tools they can use outside of sessions. I work with clients to identify patterns in thoughts, emotions, behaviors, and relationships, explore the experiences that may have shaped those patterns, and develop healthier ways of responding to life’s challenges.

As a Certified Dialectical Behavior Therapy (C-DBT) provider, I incorporate DBT skills such as mindfulness, emotion regulation, distress tolerance, and interpersonal effectiveness. I also draw from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), solution-focused strategies, psychoeducation, and other evidence-based approaches depending on the client’s needs and goals.

My style balances validation with meaningful change. While I want clients to feel supported and accepted as they are, I also encourage self-reflection, help clients challenge unhelpful patterns, and work with them to turn insight into practical action. Therapy is not one-size-fits-all, so I meet clients where they are and adjust our work as their needs and goals evolve.

Your first session is an opportunity for us to get to know one another and begin understanding what brought you to therapy. I strive to create a welcoming, supportive, and nonjudgmental environment where you can feel comfortable sharing at your own pace. There is no expectation that you have everything figured out or know exactly where to begin.

We will talk about what you are currently experiencing, relevant parts of your history, what has or has not been helpful in the past, and what you hope will be different as a result of therapy. Together, we will begin identifying your needs, strengths, and goals and develop a direction for our work that feels meaningful and realistic for you.

My goal for the first session is not to solve everything at once, but for you to leave feeling heard, understood, and with a clearer sense of where we can begin. As therapy continues, we will regularly revisit your goals, recognize your progress, and adjust our approach as your needs evolve.