Faith, Sensitivity, and Trauma Healing: What a Christian Therapist in Houston Wants You to Know About Brainspotting

Why Highly Sensitive Women Carry Emotional Trauma Differently

No one likes trauma. No one wants it, but the unfortunate fact of life is that sometimes experiences leave us scarred, bruised and very shaken. Highly Sensitive People have deep empathy, feel things so strongly and notice so much. When they are in a situation or with someone, they tend to have strong emotional memory. So they might not remember exactly what was said or done to them, but they can actually recollect the deep feeling of pain. For others, they might remember what happened, but Highly Sensitive People will be able to go back to the emotions and feel it in their bodies- stomach feels yucky, chest tightens, head starts to hurt, etc.

And because of this strong emotional memory, trauma can feel louder and much more difficult to shake in Highly Sensitive People than non Highly Sensitive People. That deep well isn’t just great for connecting with others, but that deep well also reminds us of bad memories and experiences. Sometimes you feel so misunderstood just because you’re a Highly Sensitive Person. You don’t seem to enjoy the things that others do, they think you are “Too sensitive” or “Dramatic.” And so you spend time pretending to be someone that you’re not. This can actually lead to emotional burnout. Because so much of your energy is spent transforming into someone else- leaving no room for the authentic you.

This is where I come in. As a Christian therapist in Houston, I can provide faith-rooted understanding and comfort. My job is to help you process and get rid of trauma without belittling you. God made you highly sensitive for a reason and it’s not part of my job to change you. Rather we can collaborate on how to stay authentic in your faith, authentic in your personality and feel like you have a place in the world. Yes, it’s possible.

Understanding the Link Between Faith, Sensitivity, and Trauma: A Christian Therapist in Houston Explains

As a Christian Therapist in Houston, I’ve seen how sensitivity — though a beautiful gift — can make trauma feel heavier. But with faith and the right tools, healing is absolutely possible. Sometimes as a Highly Sensitive Person, you are so used to people invalidating your feelings, or telling you that you need to “Get over it” that you just mask your pain. You internalize it, pretend like you’re okay but deep inside you are actually struggling and drowning. Because you are a strong person, you might throw yourself into work or help other people to distract yourself from your own pain.

The thing is that trauma can affect both your heart and your spirit. Over time you find that you become resentful. Because most Highly Sensitive People that I know are actually really good at holding the pain of others, supporting others, and helping others feel so much better about themselves. But when it comes to they being supported, they have nobody to support them. Most people just assume that because they are so supportive, they don't need to be supported. And also because of your deep empathy, as a Highly Sensitive Person, you sometimes also invalidate yourself. You are so used to others telling you that you are being dramatic, that you actually gaslight yourself into believing that you're being dramatic. So you learn how to put a smile on your face well silently suffering. But you don't have to go on like this any longer.

As a Christian therapist in Houston, I integrate sensitivity awareness as well as biblical principles. And because I believe that therapy should work, I also incorporate Brainspotting therapy, which is a neuroscience-based approach that helps you actually rewire your brain so that you can have a longer lasting healing from trauma, anxiety and other difficult experiences. You don't have to struggle alone. You don't have to ignore your spiritual needs or your emotional needs. I am fully aware that you are neurodivergent and this has to be celebrated. Sometimes people run away from therapy because they have been burned by a therapist in the past who did not understand what High Sensitivity is. But I happen to understand AND live High Sensitivity. I understand trauma and I also understand the Christian faith. Therefore all parts of you are welcome in my therapy space.

What Is Brainspotting? — and Why It Works So Well for Highly Sensitive People

Brainspotting is essentially a simple way to help your brain heal trauma without having to relive it over and over again. So we know that when you go through different traumatic experiences, or just different difficult experiences, there are parts of your brain that actually store the memories as well as the emotions that are linked to the event. Because many of my clients are high performing Highly Sensitive People, they have gotten really good at pushing those memories and events to the back of their minds so that it does not get in the way of their day-to-day life. I get it. It is simply a coping mechanism. And so through the process of brainspotting, my job is to help you locate those areas in the brain where the pain is stored, to be able to process those events and memories so that your body can actually release the emotional pain that has been stored in your body for a while.

We often think running away from trauma is effective. Well, it is- until it’s not. Some people avoid certain places and things because of trauma they have experienced. Sometimes people find themselves feeling frozen at work or they struggle with distorted thought patterns like “Nobody likes me,” “I have to please everyone so that I don't get fired,” or even thoughts like '‘I am no good.” My job is to help you heal those thoughts and feelings so that they stop taking over your life.

Brainspotting is especially powerful for Highly Sensitive People who have felt overwhelmed by traditional talk therapy. As a highly sensitive person who already feels deeply, you have already felt like you have been reliving the event over and over again. So when you process trauma through traditional talk therapy, it sometimes feels like you're actually being retraumatized. But when you utilize brainspotting, you don't have to give me a play by play of what happened to you. We go directly into the center where the events are stored in your brain, so you can process them without giving me an overview. This method is gentle, precise and spiritually compatible.

Now I often tell my clients that my job is not to be your pastor. So I do not indoctrinate you, but I will pull scriptures that are in line with your experiences so that you can study and let the Holy Spirit minister onto you.

How Faith Deepens the Healing Process

Faith isn’t just a comfort during therapy — it’s a source of strength that helps you process, release, and renew your heart from the inside out. The word of God says “As a man thinketh in his heart, so is he'‘ (Proverbs 23:7). Therefore we know that the words and events we meditate on have a direct correlation with who we are. This is why I introduce specific scriptures that are in line with what you are currently experience, so you may meditate on them, and in turn, they transform your life.

Your faith is at the core of who you are, so when you’re doing true transformative work, we cannot exclude faith. Faith complements trauma therapy as I offer deeper insight, there is room for prayer, surrender and spiritual reflection. You can invite God into your healing process. As a Christian therapist in Houston, I believe that faith and therapy are two parts of the same restorative process.

Healing Trauma in Relationships: How Brainspotting and the Gottman Method Help Christian Couples Reconnect

When one or both partners carry unhealed trauma, it shows up in the relationship — but through faith-based Brainspotting and the Gottman Method, couples can reconnect with grace and understanding. Brainspotting helps release the emotional reactivity that sometimes shows up as snapping at each other, crying, yelling or even shutting down. Once one or both partners have worked on their trauma, they will be in a better position to work through their relational issues. Trauma can be such a strain on a marriage. Imagine carrying a heavy emotional load on top of trying to work a job, raise kids and be present for your spouse. It’s just too much. But once you’ve dumped the trauma load, you can show up as the more peaceful, open hearted you.

As a Christian marriage therapist in Houston, I can also incorporate your biblical values into our sessions. We dive into the biblical role of a husband and wife, the role of parents, as well as how your upbringing and past experiences have led you to where you are in your marriage. We can use faith as a bridge to bring you back to a place of peace and connection.

Taking the Next Step: Begin Faith-Based Brainspotting Therapy in Houston

Healing doesn’t mean going back through every painful memory — it means letting your mind and spirit find peace again. As a Christian Therapist in Houston, I use Brainspotting to help clients release what’s been holding them back. In the first session, I will do a deep dive into your life. We will go over your family, educational, health, spiritual and emotional background- all of the elements that make you who you are, so that we can collaboratively come up with specific goals that we should focus on when we are brainspotting. This way treatment is targeted to your specific needs. No one size fits all here.

You don’t have to carry it all on your own. If you’re a highly sensitive woman longing for emotional peace and spiritual healing, I’d love to walk alongside you. As a Christian therapist in Houston who uses brainspotting, I help women release trauma and reconnect with joy — without losing their faith or sensitivity along the way. Book your free consultation for Christian trauma therapy in Houston today and let’s begin your healing journey in a safe, faith-honoring space.

About

My name is Ibinye Osibodu-Onyali. I’m a licensed marriage and family therapist in California and Texas. I help women who are struggling with trauma, anxiety and insomnia. I also help couples learn how to speak each other’s language, date each other again and manage conflict in a non-painful way.

Many of my clients are:

Highly sensitive people

High performing women

People with insomnia

Couples who want to regain their friendship and trust

If you’re ready to take the next steps, click here.

5 Misconceptions About Christian Therapy (and the Truth)

“Therapy Means You Don’t Have Enough Faith” — What a Christian Therapist in Houston Wants You to Know

As a Christian Therapist in Houston, I often hear women say they feel guilty about needing therapy — but seeking help doesn’t mean your faith is weak; it means you’re trusting God to restore you through every resource He provides. And sometimes, a therapist is the resource you need. You wouldn’t feel guilt about needing a doctor to help you with a physical challenge, so why feel guilty about being a woman who needs some counseling to help work you through life’s difficulties? It’s okay to be human. Sometimes, humans have struggles and we need help from professionals. It’s important to know that God sometimes works through His people. And some of His people happen to be mental health professionals.

“Christian Therapy Is Only About Prayer” — Why Faith and Psychology Work Beautifully Together

Faith is at the center of Christian therapy, but it’s not the only tool we use. In my Houston practice, I often combine prayer with approaches like Brainspotting and the Gottman Method to help clients heal emotionally and spiritually. And I’m not saying that prayer isn’t a powerful tool- it is the most powerful tool. Therapy isn’t just about having some listen to you as she nods and smiles. Therapy is about giving you practical skills to move forward from your troubles. Like how to process trauma and anxiety through brainspotting, so that thoughts about the difficult things that have happened to you in the past stop creeping up on you. Imagine being able to do things that used to be fun for you, or hang out with loved ones without a care in the world. Prayer and neuroscience can work hand in hand to help provide lasting change. Give Christian counseling in Houston a try.

“Therapists Won’t Understand My Faith” — The Truth About Working with a Christian Counselor

One of the biggest fears Christians have about therapy is feeling misunderstood — but as a Christian Therapist in Houston, I make faith an essential part of every conversation, not something you have to set aside. Because I really believe that your Christian faith is the bedrock of who you are. We cannot separate you from your identity in Christ. At least we shouldn't have to. Working with a Christian counselor means that you will be understood on a spiritual level and not judged for your beliefs. Therapy becomes a safe space where you can both express yourself emotionally, gain new coping tools to anchor you through life, and all the while providing room for spiritual reflection.

“Christian Therapy Is Just for Women” — How Couples Benefit from Faith-Based Counseling

While many women find healing through Christian therapy, couples can experience transformation too. Through Christian marriage counseling in Houston, I help partners rebuild emotional safety and strengthen their faith together. In counseling, you will learn how to support one another during times of stress. I do this specifically by using the Gottman Method, which I pair with biblical principles. Therapy can help you rebuilt trust, deepen your connection and strengthen your shared faith. You get to learn what healthy communication looks like, how to air your opinions and feelings in a kind, but assertive way, as well as what to do when the inevitable conflict shows up. You’ll also learn how to strengthen friendship, intimacy and connection.

“Therapy Takes Forever” — Why Christian Counseling in Houston Can Bring Real Change Sooner Than You Think

Many people assume Christian counseling in Houston will take years before they feel better — but with brainspotting and a faith-based approach, I’ve seen Houston clients experience real peace in far less time. Therapy does not have to drag on forever- at least that’s not my approach. We create specific and flexible goals, and once those goals have been met, you get to graduate from therapy. This is also why I love brainspotting so much. It cuts down on your time in therapy because we bypass the cit chat and guessing. You get to work on deeper layers of your brain- resulting in faster outcomes. And once we top this off with an invitation to God to take control of each session, you have success.

If you’ve been unsure about trying therapy because of what you’ve heard, now’s the time to see the truth for yourself. As a Christian Therapist in Houston, I help women and couples find healing that honors both their faith and their emotional health.
You don’t have to keep wondering what peace feels like — schedule your free consultation for counseling in Houston today and start your journey toward the calm and clarity God designed you to have.

About

My name is Ibinye Osibodu-Onyali. I’m a licensed marriage and family therapist in California and Texas. I help women who are struggling with trauma, anxiety and insomnia. I also help couples learn how to speak each other’s language, date each other again and manage conflict in a non-painful way.

Many of my clients are:

Highly sensitive people

High performing women

People with insomnia

Couples who want to regain their friendship and trust

If you’re ready to take the next steps, click here.

How Christian Counseling Helps You Navigate Anxiety and Stress

Finding Peace in the Chaos: How a Christian Therapist in Houston Helps You Calm Anxiety and Overwhelm

Anxiety can make your world feel smaller by the day — but as a Christian Therapist in Houston, I’ve seen how faith and gentle therapeutic tools can help women and couples find peace that lasts. Going to therapy is not a sign that you are weak or that your faith is lacking. Going to therapy is a sign that you have identified an area of struggle and you are willing to work through it, rather than ignore it. Remember that God sometimes uses His people to help His people. Think about Christ’s mission. He asked the disciples to go and spread the gospel through the ends of the earth, and part of their work was showing compassion and healing broken hearts too. I believe that a part of my job as a Christian therapist in Houston is to help pull people out of struggle and walk them into the light. Because life does not have to feel dark and desolate every day.

I help women and couples find calm through faith and also evidence based, research backed therapy that I spent many years learning. In addition to the faith I have in Jesus, I have also spent many years learning about culture, relationships, the brain, trauma, anxiety and many areas that have held people back. Because in this world, you will have trouble. Jesus already told you that. It’s not only important to reach out to someone who has faith in Jesus, but a professional also trained to help you navigate rough waters. Please do not struggle alone.

Inviting God into the Healing Process: Why Faith Matters in Christian Counseling for Anxiety

Faith doesn’t erase anxiety — but when we invite God into our healing process, we discover a new kind of strength that calms both mind and soul. As Christians, you are already saved by grace. But because we live in a fallen world, there is a lot to grapple with. And sometimes it look sleek wrestling with anxiety, or wrestling with communication issues within your marriage, or not knowing how to make friends as an adulthood, or the aftermath of trauma and pain from your past. Sometimes your heart feels super heavy and you want to be able to speak to someone who will not just get you, but will also be able to provide you practical tools so that you know how to fight through those difficult emotions.

As a Christian therapist in Houston, I believe in a whole person approach. This means I like to look into every domain of your life- I’ll ask about your physical health, emotional health, mental health, relational health and spiritual health. To ignore one part will be to ignore a piece of the puzzle. Now why would I do that? What I am essentially doing is nurturing both emotional and spiritual resilience. And yes, prayer and the word of God are always welcome when you work with me. If you are looking for a faith based therapy approach, Christian counseling for anxiety might just be right for you.

Brainspotting and Faith: A Gentle Path to Releasing Anxiety at Its Root

As a Christian Therapist in Houston, I often use Brainspotting to help clients find calm — not just through insight, but through deeper healing that connects both body and spirit.

Brainspotting helps uncover and heal the hidden emotional roots of anxiety. There are centers in your brain that store trauma as well as big emotions, my job is to give you access to those centers so that you can process it, digest it and no longer need to think about it over and over again. That’s brainspotting in a nutshell. It cuts down on therapy time because we don’t have to talk through what you went through. Rather you get to feel through what you went through.

In addition to brainspotting, I also integrate prayer and scripture if my client is comfortable with it. You get to use every tool you have to help you on your path to wholeness and healing. We cannot ignore your spiritual self if we want to do good therapy. Many Christians appreciate brainspotting’s gentle nature and how it helps the body release tension without reliving trauma. In a nutshell, you don’t have to give me a play by play of all the difficult experiences that happened to you in order to find healing.

For Couples Under Stress: How Christian Marriage Counseling and the Gottman Method Bring You Back Together

When stress creeps into your marriage, it doesn’t just affect your schedule — it impacts your connection. That’s why I use the Gottman Method therapy, grounded in research, to help Houston couples find their way back to each other. Stress, anxiety and miscommunication can create emotional distance in a couple. But you don’t have to throw in the towel, because a skilled marriage therapist can give you practical communication, friendship, intimacy and conflict resolution tools to finally learn how to live in unity and peace. I love to take my couples back to what first brought them together, then tie it into their biblical beliefs about marriage.

I believe that if each party within a couple plays his or her role properly, they will have a strong, healthy marriage. Things get out of hand when we start to step on each other’s toes and forget to embrace the fruit of the Holy Spirit. Through Christian marriage counseling in Houston, I specialize in helping high-performing, highly sensitive Christian couples in Houston find how to manage big emotions, communicate their needs and pour into one another.

Moving Forward with Faith: How to Begin Christian Counseling in Houston

Taking the first step toward counseling can feel intimidating — but as a Christian Therapist in Houston, I want you to know that this step is about grace, not perfection. Therapy begins with a quick 15 minute consultation call. During that call you become familiar with may voice and general demeanor. I believe you can tell a lot about a person from a simple phone interaction. Beyond that, you also get to ask my questions about my process and I learn more about how I can support you. We are essentially assessing if we are the right fit for one another.

After that, if we decide that we are the right fit, my assistant will onboard you into our secure client platform. You’ll fill all the paperwork online, getting you ready for our first virtual therapy session. The first session is an assessment of who you are- we will go through your childhood, family of origin, you school years, educational, career, emotional, physical and relational background. This gives me all the pieces I need to create a collaborative, personalized treatment plan for you.

After that we meet every week to begin to chip away at the goals we set together. We work together until we both feel like you have accomplished what you wanted therapy to do in your life.

You don’t have to keep battling anxiety or stress on your own. As a Christian Therapist in Houston, I help women and couples reconnect with peace, faith, and one another through practical, research-based, and spiritually grounded therapy. If you’re ready to heal from the inside out, schedule your free consultation call for therapy in Houston and discover how God can meet you right where you are — in your healing journey.

About

My name is Ibinye Osibodu-Onyali. I’m a licensed marriage and family therapist in California and Texas. I help women who are struggling with trauma, anxiety and insomnia. I also help couples learn how to speak each other’s language, date each other again and manage conflict in a non-painful way.

Many of my clients are:

Highly sensitive people

High performing women

People with insomnia

Couples who want to regain their friendship and trust

If you’re ready to take the next steps, click here.

Christian Therapist in Houston: Blending Faith and Mental Health

Christian Therapist in Houston: Finding Healing Through Faith and Therapy

Faith based therapy is a bridge between spiritual and emotional healing. We do not have to separate your Christian values when you come to therapy, because therapy is one avenue through which you can heal your mind. And many people don’t know that your mind, will and emotions are located within your soul. There has been a growing number of Christian women who are seeking therapy that is able to honor their faith, understand their cultural background and also help maintain their mental well being. Please note that therapy does not replace your Christian faith, but it actually strengthens it. When I work with clients, prayer and Bible scriptures are welcome in the room to help guide you in your healing.

Now I am not replacing your pastor or the work of The Holy Spirit. My job is to put forth scriptures that you can study further to help in your journey of healing. I’m not necessarily explaining the scriptures to you, but we can walk through them together. I believe that all the domains of your life- physical, spiritual, emotional, relational, environmental and even career. As a Christian Therapist in Houston, I help clients find strength in both Scripture and science.

How a Christian Perspective Changes the Therapy Experience

When you work with a Christian therapist in Houston, you’re not just talking about coping skills — you’re exploring how God’s truth can bring peace to your mind and heart. Christian counseling in Houston is very unique. Sessions are rooted in your vales, prayer and biblical reflection . We can use biblical truth to guide your decision making. Part of my process is also utilizing different modalities such as brainspotting therapy, to help you break past those stuck points. The goal is always to help you break past trauma, anxiety and other difficult experiences so that you can finally live the full life that you want. We can dive into Christian principles such as what faith looks like in action, dying to self, letting The Holy Spirit do a big work in you, laying your burdens down and renting your mind daily. We can walk the talk.

Brainspotting helps you clear your mind of the clutter so that you can focus on living the full life that you now you have in Christ.

Faith-Based Tools for Anxiety, Trauma, and Marriage Healing

Whether it’s anxiety that won’t quiet down or a marriage weighed down by unspoken hurts, faith-based therapy can offer both comfort and clarity. Faith and therapy come together in the therapy room in unique ways. For example, when you have experienced trauma, you are able to connect back to people in the Bible like Job, who lost everything. You can look at how he reacted, how his friends played a role in his mental health, and finally how The Lord responded to him. Christian trauma counseling in Houston can help you find healing.

If you are dealing with anxiety, there are many biblical examples of people going through anxiety, Whether it is David who had to repeatedly run for his life, or Sarah who was worried about whether or not she would bear a child, or Peter who was questioned about his affiliation with Jesus. There are many examples you can connect with. We can talk about how you connect to the biblical figures, what you learn from their experiences, as well as how you can shift your behavior to learn from theirs. We use this alongside brainspotting to help clear your brain of the funk.

Whether it’s anxiety that won’t quiet down or a marriage weighed down by unspoken hurts, Christian therapy in Houston can offer both comfort and clarity.

Why Houston Christians Are Embracing Faith-Integrated Mental Health Support

Across Houston, more Christians are realizing that faith and therapy don’t compete — they collaborate. We can have a deep love for the Lord and still seek healing through a therapist. Therapy can become an extension of God’s healing hand in the same way that a physician can be an extension of healing when your physical body is experiencing an ailment. It is great to have a professional therapist who is a Christian, who can implement biblical values and help you heal your emotional struggles. We no longer have to look at therapy as a taboo subject. It’s okay to allow someone to help you while still utilizing your faith as aa guiding tool.

How to Choose the Right Christian Therapist in Houston for You

Finding the right Christian therapist in Houston means finding someone who honors your faith while helping you grow through life’s hardest seasons. If you have been looking for a Christian therapist in Houston, here are some ideas for you. Think about demographics such as age, gender, race, nationality, etc. Because if you don’t feel comfortable with your therapist, therapy won’t work for you. Look for someone who has experience in the issue you are struggling with (anxiety, trauma, managing high sensitivity, marriage troubles, etc). It is also important to ask about how the therapist can blend psychology with biblical values. If it is important to you that the therapist is from a specific denomination, then ask. If you have any theological leanings that need to be brought up, then bring them up too.

If you’ve been praying for peace but still feel weighed down by anxiety, trauma, or marital strain, you don’t have to walk this journey alone. As a Christian therapist in Houston, I offer a space where faith and therapy work hand in hand to restore hope and healing. Schedule a free 15-minute consultation for Christian counseling in Houston today to begin your journey toward emotional and spiritual renewal.

About

My name is Ibinye Osibodu-Onyali. I’m a licensed marriage and family therapist in California and Texas. I help women who are struggling with trauma, anxiety and insomnia. I also help couples learn how to speak each other’s language, date each other again and manage conflict in a non-painful way.

Many of my clients are:

Highly sensitive people

High performing women

People with insomnia

Couples who want to regain their friendship and trust

If you’re ready to take the next steps, click here.

Emotional Overload and Trauma: How Brainspotting Brings Peace for Highly Sensitive Women — Guidance from a Christian Therapist in Houston

When Emotions Feel Too Big — The Reality of Trauma for Sensitive Women

When you are a highly sensitive woman, your emotions feel BIG. Whether it’s joy, anger or sadness, you feel very deeply. Now let’s get this straight, it doesn’t mean that your emotions have to control you. You are in fact in complete control over your own emotions. But when you have too many things going on at the same time, it feels as if the world might implode on you. You also are typically on the verge of tears when you’re angry, sad, overwhelmed or even sad. Emotional exhaustion is real because you sometimes get tired of riding the emotional wave. One minute you feel happy, and another minute, something else shows up. You sometimes wonder if you’re normal.

And if you’re a highly sensitive woman who has experienced trauma, these big emotions will be magnified. Normally trauma causes people to be hyper sensitive to what’s around them. So when you’re someone who already feels emotions deeply, who is also going through trauma, it becomes a tidal wave. Sometimes you’re overwhelmed in every area of your life. Work deadlines have you feeling harried. You and your husband are not getting along, and the kids just won’t give you a break. So in every domain, you feel like the burden is so heavy.

This is where I come in. As a Christian therapist in Houston who is especially versed in working with highly sensitive women, I understand that you can’t stop yourself from feeling so deeply. It’s simply how God wired you. My job is to understand the level of emotional depth that you bring to the table. I’ll show you how to come to acceptance with your sensitivity, learn how to use your emotions for good, so you don’t feel like you’re weighed down all the time.

Brainspotting as a Safe Space for Emotional Release

Brainspotting is one of my golden tools for processing trauma and deep emotions. I find that it takes much less time than traditional talk therapy. Maybe you’re sick and tired of talking about your life experiences over and over again. You’re sick and tired of turning life events over in your head without a solution. Well brainspotting helps to pinpoint the trauma, actually process it and finally digest it so that it stops living rent free in your head. You won’t forget that the trauma happened to you, but it will no longer elicit a strong emotional reaction when you think about or talk about it.

In the moment when you’re brainspotting, it might feel emotionally heavy because the memories come flooding back. You will also feel the emotions in your physical body, but as time goes on, you will actually feel a sense of relief and resolution. Just like a tidal wave. It might come in fast at first, but it eventually returns back to its source.

I especially love that brainspotting is gentle. You can unpack trauma and go right back to work afterwards. Will there be tears involved? Perhaps. Is it always easy? No. But it tends to be quicker and more effective over time than traditional talk therapy methods for trauma. Some of my clients love it because they don’t have to do so much talking. It sounds strange, but I’ve sat with clients in silence for about an hour and they’ve walked away with massive relief.

Brainspotting is ideal for highly sensitive women because you don’t have to spend so much time trying to express the myriad of emotions that are coming up for you. We go straight to the source of where the actual emotions are being held in your brain. No beating about the bush. Maybe it’s time to work with a trauma therapist in Houston who offers brainspotting sessions.

The Spiritual Side of Healing — Inviting God into the Therapy Process

As a Christian therapist in Houston, I hold the belief that you should not have to separate your spiritual beliefs from your mental health. Your mind, will and emotions are stored within your soul. So that being said, how can we separate your beliefs from your healing? It’s impossible. Your faith is a matter of your soul. Therapeutic healing does not have to conflict with your faith. There is lots of room for prayer and Bible scriptures in the therapy room. After all, “As a man thinketh in his heart, so is he” (Proverbs 23:7). As you feel yourself being pulled by the emotions that will undoubtedly come up as we process trauma, it is important to ground yourself. Sometimes clients are silently praying as they are brainspotting. I can also pray with you if you so desire and I love to pull scriptures of comfort so that you have The Holy Spirit guiding you in your healing.

A skilled Christian therapist in Houston can hold both trauma and faith in balance. I can put on my therapist hat and also invite faith into the room. The two are not mutually exclusive. I can understand how trauma has affected you, but also understand that you have Jehovah Rapha who can heal every broken heart. You do not have to sideline your beliefs when you work with me. Therapy can simply be viewed as part of your healing journey with God. Sometimes God sends you a professional whom He works through.

How Brainspotting Reduces Emotional Burnout and Restores Mental Energy

After you’ve experienced either one or several traumatic events, it begins to take a toll on you. You might feel irritable- snapping at everyone around you. You find yourself bursting into tears or your emotions are all over the place. Trauma will do a number on you. Trauma is also emotionally exhausting. You get tired of crying, looking over your shoulders, feeling unsafe, isolated, worrying if something bad will ever happen again. It’s rough. Brainspotting helps reset your nervous system and restore clarity. It’s almost like all the heavy thoughts finally clear out of the way so that you can get back to the real you. No more doubting yourself, no more fear, no more hiding, You get to show up just as you want to be. Freedom!

Imagine being able to connect with new friends, go out like you used to, without worrying about getting hurt. You can get on a plane and travel without worrying for 7 hours. You can deeply connect with a romantic interest and show up authentically. Little things won’t trigger you anymore. No more nightmares, scary dreams, worrying, crying yourself to sleep. You can lay down at night and actually look forward to rest.

As a Black therapist in Houston, not only do I understand the unique needs of highly sensitive women, I also understand the importance of helping Black women heal from trauma. I know how you have to hold everything on your shoulders. I know how difficult it is for you to even trust someone enough to open up to them. You don’t have to pretend to be someone you aren’t. Show up just as you are. You don’t have to explain your life or culture to me. I just get it. And if you choose to wear your bonnet, I’m all for it.

You Don’t Have to Be Strong All the Time — Let Support Hold You for Once

You don’t have to continue to hold it all together. You need a space where you can finally open up and be vulnerable. You get to talk about all the things that have held you down for years. You don’t have to be the strong woman when you are in therapy, you get to be the healing woman. I want you to know that there is strength in being able to open up and be honest. Just lay your burdens down.

If you have been feeling weighed down, know that there is someone out there who is ready to support you through your trials. You’ll feel seen, you don’t have to be the strong woman, and you can just breathe easy.

You’ve carried those heavy emotions long enough — it’s time to let someone else hold space for you.

As a Christian therapist in Houston, I use Brainspotting Trauma Therapy to help highly sensitive women process trauma gently and reconnect with peace. You don’t have to keep bottling it up or doing it all alone. Book your free consultation for trauma counseling in Houston today and experience emotional relief with care that honors both your heart and your faith.

About

My name is Ibinye Osibodu-Onyali. I’m a licensed marriage and family therapist in California and Texas. I help women who are struggling with trauma, anxiety and insomnia. I also help couples learn how to speak each other’s language, date each other again and manage conflict in a non-painful way.

Many of my clients are:

Highly sensitive people

High performing women

People with insomnia

Couples who want to regain their friendship and trust

If you’re ready to take the next steps, click here.

The Unique Challenges Black Women Face in Therapy (and How Counseling Helps)

Why Black Women Often Struggle to Find the Right Therapist in Houston

Many Black women face unique barriers when it comes to seeking therapy — from cultural misunderstandings to not finding a Black therapist in Houston who truly gets their world. Do I think that Black women should only work with Balck therpiaatss? Nope. But I know that Black women are seeking spaces where they can be safe, they can be themselves, they can be understood and they can heal without judgment or stereotypes.

Finding a therapist who is the right fit is already tough. You want someone who has the personal and professional experience to get to the root of the problem that brought you into therapy, But Black therapists only make up a small percentage of mental health professionals in the United States. We are few and far between. Sometimes as a Black woman, you might feel the pressure to educate non -Black therapists about your daily experiences. This is called emotional labor. You come in already feeling like you’re carrying you rhosuehold on your back. You’r looking for a place to lay down your burdens- only to carry the burden of educating a professional about every aspect of your story.

Don’t get me wrong. You will need to do some educating about your background and your circumstances if you work with a Black therapist, however it’s important to work with someone who gets it. If you know, you know!

A lack of cultural competence cab lead to misdiagnosis or minimization of your struggles. They might miss symptoms of depression, think you’re psychotic when you talk about spiritual experiences you’ve had or misunderstand the impact that racism, prejudice and other cultural issues play. A greta therapist will understand both the cultural context of your life, as well as your spiritual values.

The Pressure to Be Strong: Why Many Black Women Delay Counseling

In our community, Black women are often expected to carry the weight of strength — but a Black therapist in Houston can help you lay those burdens down without judgment. The strong Black woman stereotype is something we have to get rid of now. Because it takes a huge emotional toll on you. You feel like you have to be able to juggle all things. There is no room for you to cry, no room for you to air out your frustrations. You feel like the only roll you play is the woman who helps others. The woman who is hyper competent.

Other times, you are afraid that if you speak up, others will think that you are weak. or they might tell you to suck it off They might downplay your struggles or brush your experience off. They may even time to explain your felling away- “You’re not depressed, you’re just a bit blue.” “You’re tough so you can handle it.” “Crying is for weak people.” You feel like you should be able to carry everything that life throws at you on your own.

Faith is sometimes misused as a reason to avoid therapy. You might be told “Go pray about it.” “Don’t tell others your business.” “Your faith isn’t strong enough.'‘ Maybe you were led to believe that seeing a therapist is a sign that you don’t trust in God. I find it interesting that we are encouraged to see a professional when we have a physical challenge, but we are supposed to hide when we have an emotional challenge.

There is a lot of fear around theory because we don’t quite understand what therapists do. The assumption is that the theorist is going to make you lose your faith, rather than actually help you utilize scripture as a guide and a tool on the path to healing. Therapy is actually a sign of strength. To be able to push past the stigma that society has created around mental health, to be able to speak up for yourself, to be able to allow someone to support you. That is strength. the Bible says “Where there is no counsel, the people fall; But in the multitude of counselors there is safety” Proverbs 11:14. An actual therapist can be one of your counselors. Of course you must choose who you listen to wisely.

Faith, Culture, and Healing: How a Black Therapist in Houston Can Bridge the Gap

When your therapist understands both your cultural background and your faith, healing feels more complete — and that’s exactly what a Black therapist in Houston can offer.

What you might not know is that as a Christian therapist in Houston, I am able to integrate prayer, scripture and talk about your values during therapy. Yup! because I believe that your healing will not be compete if you excluded your spiritual life. The truth is all of us see the world and our situations through the lens of our faith. When we bring your faith to the forefront, it acts as a compass in your life.

Shared cultural understanding reduces the need for over-explaining. There are just some things that are a universal part of Black culture. You wouldn’t need to explain it to a therapist who is familiar with your culture. And in addition, there are some things that only a Christian would understand and don’t need explaining. Faith and therapy are partners, not opposites. Your faith informs your thoughts, emotions and behaviors. Therapy acts as a guide to help you get back on track to where you want to be. Black Christian women in Houston deserve a therapist who honors both identity and belief.

How Counseling Helps Black Women Break Free from Silence and Isolation

Silence has been passed down for generations, and rightfully so when you think about the years of hardship and oppressions that have occurred. But counseling with a Black therapist in Houston can break the cycle and open the door to healing conversations. There is still stigma around mental health in some families and churches. We have been told not to air our dirty laundry in public. We also get nervous that we will get in trouble or judged if someone knows what we are going through. Sometimes we are told that our faith isn’t strong enough if we are going through mental health struggles.

But this silence keeps trauma, depression and anxiety going strong. Depression thrives in silence. And it is very hard to overcome trauma on our own. Therapy can be a safe place ro express what’s been unspoken. It is not fair to you to go around carrying both your burdens and the burdens of everyone else at the same time. You deserve to be taken care of, to be able to express your feelings and to thrive. Counseling provides coping strategies and space to process without fear of judgment.

You will learn actual practical tools to help you cope with the heavy weight that everyday struggles can bring. You will learn how to manage big emotions, and also how to integrate your faith into your everyday life. No longer do you have to be the strong woman who holds it all together. You will learn how to create a safe community of people who see you, set boundaries that’ll help people know what you need and when you need it, and be able to brainstorm problem solving options.

Finding Strength, Healing, and Hope with a Black Therapist in Houston

When you work with a Black therapist in Houston who understands your culture, faith, and story, therapy becomes more than a service — it becomes a pathway to freedom. Therapy helps Black women reclaim their voices and build healthy boundaries. You can finally decide what burdens you want to carry, and which ones to let go of. You can stand up for yourself in a kind, assertive way- even when others around you don’t understand why you need boundaries. Boundaries are a way to protect yourself from the overwhelm of life and give yourself some margin.

Christian therapy in Houston strengthens resilience while honoring spirituality. We all do have to bear some weight in this life, but you don’t have to bear it alone. You can also keep your Christian faith at the center of your life without feeling like you have to discard it for the sake of your mental health. On the contrary, your faith is the biggest tool in supporting your mental health. Healing leads to better relationships, peace of mind, and renewed confidence.

It is important to pick a therapist who sees both the strength and the struggle. if we focus solely on the struggles, therapy feels burdensome. And if we focus only on the strengths, we feel unseen and neglected.

You don’t have to carry the weight of perfectionism, silence, or cultural pressure alone. As a Black therapist in Houston, I offer Christian counseling in Houston designed to help Black women heal, grow, and walk in God’s peace. Schedule your free consultation for therapy in Houston today and take the first step toward a lighter, more hopeful future.

About

My name is Ibinye Osibodu-Onyali. I’m a licensed marriage and family therapist in California and Texas. I help women who are struggling with trauma, anxiety and insomnia. I also help couples learn how to speak each other’s language, date each other again and manage conflict in a non-painful way.

Many of my clients are:

Highly sensitive people

High performing women

People with insomnia

Couples who want to regain their friendship and trust

If you’re ready to take the next steps, click here.