

Nice to meet you!
I have been counseling full-time since 1996. I have extensive experience counseling families, couples, marriges, and individuals on a wide range of issues. As a Christian and ordained minister, I bring a caring non-judgmental approach rooted in spiritual truth to the therapeutic experience. A Native of St. Louis, MO, I am also a US Navy Veteran and lived in Hawaii for 7 years before relocating to Texas in 1995. I have been married to Stephanie since 1991 and we have one adult daughter who is a graduate of Texas Christian University. We have 3 dogs and are avid pet lovers.
I’m passionate about creating a space where you can truly be yourself — seen, heard, and understood. My goal is to offer a warm, supportive environment where you don’t have to hold it all together, and where healing can begin through genuine connection.
I specialize in working with individuals and couples, particularly within the BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ communities. I understand how identity, culture, and systemic challenges can shape our experiences and relationships. My work is grounded in empathy, curiosity, and respect for your story.
Cuéntame tu historia!
I believe that self-compassion and self-acceptance are essential for promoting growth and healing. My work with clients is informed by multiple therapeutic approaches grounded in psychodynamic, attachment, somatic, emotion-focused, and mindfulness-based techniques to help clients reconnect with themselves and heal at a core level. I regularly utilize AEDP, ISTDP and Internal Family Systems with clients. I aim to help clients heal the source of their distress, build capacity for emotion expression and regulation, and incorporate behaviors that lead to a healthier self and stronger relationships.
I received my B.A. in Psychology from Vassar College and my Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from Palo Alto University in Palo Alto, CA.
Welcome! My name is Aya and I am a LCSW in TX and NJ. I love working with people to help them better cope with symptoms of depression, anxiety, adjustment life transitions, or stress. I am here to help you reconnect to yourself, to your personal goals, values, and motivations: all the things that make you a unique individual (you!). I'm here to support you, explore your thoughts and emotions, sort through the difficulties you are dealing with, and gain insight and tools to navigate your life.
Finding a therapist who truly understands your world can make all the difference. I work with women, especially Black women, who are tired of settling for relationships that don’t meet their needs and are ready to rediscover their worth. I also have over 20 years of experience supporting Deaf and Hard of Hearing clients, helping them navigate the unique challenges that can come with communication barriers, isolation, and cultural misunderstandings. Clients describe me as direct, compassionate, and down-to-earth.
The first step toward change is to decide that you are not going to stay where you are. I applaud you for taking that step! I would be honored to create a collaborative space to explore the barriers that may be keeping you from where and who you want to be. I am a Licensed Professional Counselor, a Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor, and owner of Do The Work Counseling Services, PLLC.
I am a Licensed Professional Counselor based in Texas, dedicated to providing a compassionate, nonjudgmental space where you can feel seen, heard, and understood.
My work is grounded in a person-centered approach. I believe therapy is not about fixing you, but about helping you understand yourself more deeply, meaningful and lasting change can happen from within.
I am engaged, thoughtful, and direct when needed. I will help you identify patterns in your thoughts, emotions, and behaviors, while also supporting you in building concrete, usable coping skills. I value depth, honesty, and real change—not surface-level conversations.


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