EMDR therapy, Trauma therapy, PTSD therapist,Individual therapy for trauma, Authentic therapy approach, Nature-based therapy philosophy, Therapist for anxiety and trauma, EMDR Texas, Friendly Therapy, Emotional healing therapy, Childhood Trauma

FAQs

  • I am not offering in-person sessions at this time.

    To schedule an appointment or a complimentary 15-minute consultation, you can call, text, and email, or you can view my schedule and book directly through the online client portal found in the menu on this website.

    gabriellapatronella@untamedgrowth.life
    (713) 377-3335

  • Therapy is a unique journey, shaped by your individual struggles and needs. I meet you exactly where you are, following your lead as we explore what brings you to counseling and the changes you are seeking. Together, we will build a safe space rooted in trust and vulnerability, where I am as authentic and honest with you as you are with me.

    In our sessions, I will guide you to reflect on the life experiences that have shaped who you are, working to change negative core beliefs that do not serve you. I will gently challenge you to step beyond your comfort zone, promoting meaningful growth. Alongside this introspective work, I will equip you with practical coping strategies and self-care practices to manage stress and cultivate a fulfilling life. Reflection and skill-building does not end in session—I will empower you to apply these tools in your everyday life, using positive reinforcement to rewire your thinking and support lasting change.

    Therapy offers something we rarely get in life—a safe place to experience unconditional support and a place to be your authentic self without the fear of judgment. I do not take this extraordinary gift lightly. I am honored to provide that space for clients, to endure with you through your darkest moments and celebrate your transformation together.

  • Yes, therapy is confidential. A client’s confidentiality is legally protected by HIPAA laws in the USA. However, there are some exceptions required by law. In most cases, information will not be disclosed without prior written consent by the client. In the state of Texas, I am a mandated reporter for abuse against children, the elderly, and people with disabilities or who are otherwise vulnerable, and I do not need a client’s consent. In addition, there are confidentiality concerns when using your insurance.

    Further information about confidentiality will be accessible to you in the consent documents you receive prior to your scheduled session. We will also discuss confidentiality in our first session together.

    It is important to me that my clients feel like they have a private space to fearlessly be their authentic selves. Confidentiality is vital to building a trusting and safe therapeutic relationship with my clients. If you have any questions or concerns at any time, let’s talk about it!

  • Choosing a therapist can be a process. There are many things to consider. Most importantly, it is a deeply personal decision. You are choosing the person who gets to hear your story and walk with you through the wilderness.

    Consider this when making a decision - Do you feel safe to be honest and vulnerable? Do you feel supported and understood? Do you feel seen and heard?

    Consultations are a great way to get-to-know a therapist. I offer complimentary 15-minute phone or video consultations for us to connect and decide if I am the right therapist for you.

  • For your sessions, we will spend 50 minutes together on a weekly basis. Having a weekly schedule is especially important when you begin therapy. Weekly sessions provide consistency to learn about my clients at their pace and to build a strong, trusting therapeutic relationship. Most importantly, weekly sessions create a rhythm that makes the change you seek intentional and actionable.

    As you progress in therapy, we will regularly assess your goals and adjust the frequency of sessions as needed. Most clients reduce their sessions to bi-weekly or monthly as they experience growth and healing.

    Your session time and frequency is meant to meet your unique needs as you travel on your path to growth.

  • Therapy is personalized for each client. The duration of therapy varies depending on your individual needs and goals, as well as your progress and where you are at on your path to growth. Together, we will explore your goals and discuss the depth of change and growth you are seeking to determine what best meets your needs.

  • I accept all major credit cards including, American Express, Discover, Mastercard, Visa, as well as debit and FSA/HSA cards

    $155 per 50-minute session

    I am able to offer sliding scale adjustments to my session rate. We can discuss your needs and determine a fair rate that fits your budget.

  • I am in-network with the following insurance providers:

    • Aetna

    • BlueCross and BlueShield

    • Cigna and Evernorth

    • Oscar (Optum)

    • Oxford

    • Quest Behavioral Health

    • UnitedHealthcare (Optum)

    If your insurance copay is not favorable to your budget needs, you can inquire about my sliding scale adjustments to my private pay rate. If you are choosing to do private pay or if I am out-of-network with your insurance, certain insurance plans may cover a percentage of out-of-network services by submitting a Superbill for reimbursement. 

    A Superbill is a document or itemized receipt of services rendered that can be submitted for possible reimbursement to your insurance company. The Superbill will state how much you have paid out of pocket for services. In addition, the Superbill will include diagnosis codes that your insurance requires to determine potential reimbursement.

    Contact your insurance provider directly to review your plan’s Explanation of Benefits (EOB) to understand your specific coverage, copay, deductible, and reimbursement options.


    Find Out The Cost With Insurance

  • There are plenty of financial advantages to using your insurance to pay for services or to receive reimbursement for services. I have some clients who don’t pay a dime for their sessions! How can you not pass that up?

    However, in an effort to give informed consent, there are also some disadvantages to consider. Please take a moment to read the following information about the disadvantages to using insurance coverage and submitting claims for insurance reimbursement for mental health care:

    Formal Diagnosis Required: A diagnosis from the DSM-V and detailed session notes are required to access insurance benefits, and it becomes a permanent part of your medical record.

    Impact on Insurance Payments: Similar to physical health diagnoses, having a mental health diagnosis can lead to higher premiums and may affect eligibility for certain types of insurance, including life insurance.

    Privacy Concerns & Record Accessibility: Insurance companies may share treatment details with other entities, and the information can be accessed by potential employers or other third parties. The insurance claim passes through many people during processing, increasing the risk of information exposure.

    Out-of-Network Reimbursement: It can be difficult to navigate the reimbursement claim process and claim processing times can also be a challenge. Reimbursement is possible, not guaranteed. The reimbursement process and the percentage reimbursed for services depends on each individual insurance plan.

    Every client’s budget and personal preferences are different. Every insurance’s plan and benefits are different. I recommend reviewing your unique needs and payment options.

    I am available if you have any questions about my sliding scale rate adjustments, private pay policies, or using your insurance for session payments. Please take your time to consider all of this information to make a decision that feels most comfortable for you.

  • Sometimes when clients schedule for therapy, we realize that you may need more support or a different kind of help than what I can provide as a therapist.

    I am happy to work with my clients to help you determine what best meets your needs so that you can get the appropriate referrals of care. This can include working with other professionals who specialize in specific treatments that better support your healing. If necessary, we can explore options for higher levels of care including Intensive In-Patient Programs (IIPs), Partial Hospitalization Programs (PHPs), and Intensive Outpatient Programs (IOPs).

    If you are experiencing an emergency, please call 911 to request emergency services or go to your nearest emergency room for help.

    If you are in need of crisis support services outside of business hours, please contact National Mental Health Hotlines including:

    • Suicide & Crisis Lifeline by calling 988

    • Crisis Text Line by texting HELLO or HOME to 741741

    • Online Chat by visiting 988lifeline.org/chat

    • National Alliance on Mental Illness Helpline by dialing 1-800-950-6264