About
“I can’t believe I’m telling you this…”
I hear this from my clients (and strangers) all the time!
Usually, the story is rolling along and there is some intimate detail that feels uncomfortable to admit… you know the one… that detail we leave out when we recount a story to others because it makes us feel vulnerable to judgement.
I’ve found that detail often comes spilling out rapidly along with “I can’t believe I’m telling you this…” It’s quite amazing, and I’m always so honored and humbled to hold that space for someone.
It’s not magic; I just really have a passion for people and genuinely like hearing their stories.
I’m the person that cannot seem to get out of the grocery checkout, or any line for that matter, without hearing someone’s story. I love it. What I love even more is taking it one step further and being invited on your journey to health and wellness as a therapist.
“I didn’t want to tell you this…”
I hear this somewhere around the time that we’ve got a plan in place, you’re moving along and making all those great, healthy choices and throwing up boundaries like a champion where you need them.
You’re eating well, getting sunshine and exercising even! Then, most likely during a moment that you feel panicked or out of control, you make a not-so-great decision and feel like you’ve erased your progress.
You haven’t! Remember that the natural flow of life is up and down. Our work together focuses on helping you live a balanced, happy life that includes your ability to cope.
So, when I hear “I didn’t want to tell you this…,” I am not judging you – I am thrilled for you! You have self-identified an area of your life that needs our attention. You’re bringing it with you to session to work toward healthier resolutions.
“I knew I could tell you this…”
As we move through your treatment plan and you begin to feel better and more confident, it becomes easier to discuss the challenges you faced that week without fear of judgment.
At one point, you’ll make some decision, for better or worse, and arrive in session ready to talk it out and gain even more perspective. It is such an affirming and empowering moment!
When a client starts a conversation with “I knew I could tell you this…,” I know we have arrived!
In this space, we get such good work done toward your goals… and sometimes that does feel a little bit like magic.
I want to help you love your life!
I want you to love your life so much and become so confident in who you are and your ability to make healthy decisions that you no longer need me!
I believe that once you are confident and have resolved the issues that brought you to therapy, you are able to transcend that need. You always have the option of returning, and I always welcome you back to “tune up” or overcome an unexpected challenge.
About Me
Senona Ortiz
MA, LPC, ATR
Licensed Professional Counselor
Registered Art Therapist
TEA Certified EC-12, Art Education
Something most people don’t know about me is that I had a mini-career in emergency and specialty veterinary medicine for about ten years. I worked full time in both Houston and Albuquerque to support my education and it actually changed my life!
I realized I wanted to be a therapist when I was comforting a woman grieving her companion animal and struggling with her life’s direction. She told me her story, stopping to say, “I can’t believe I’m telling you all this…”
When I realized I wanted to be someone that helped others through the hardest parts of life, it changed my path – and I never looked back!
I have a BA in Art Education from the University of Houston and still maintain my credentials as a licensed educator in Texas for Art, EC-12. Even though the classroom was ultimately not where I wanted to serve, I still love teaching art and always embrace those opportunities.
I received an MA in Art Therapy and Counseling from Southwestern College in Santa Fe, New Mexico. This is where I did much of my own deeply transformative work with the belief that to help others I must know how to help myself.
I love Houston! I love the diversity, the people, the food (okay I’m not a fan of the 3 pm – 7 pm traffic jams), and I love the life I’ve created here with my family. Currently, I live inside the loop with my husband, two daughters, and two dogs – all of whom keep me on my toes daily.