- Stress and anxiety
- Career and direction
- Attachment and relationships
About Betsy
Dr. Betsy Puentes is a Texas licensed marriage and family therapist and licensed professional counselor with 46 years of clinical experience. She holds a Master’s in Clinical Psychology and a Doctorate in Counseling Psychology. She works with adults on stress, anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, career concerns, addictions, relationship difficulties, and life changes.
She frames clients as the experts on their own stories and looks for strengths to build on. Sessions are practical and conversational, focused on what a person wants to change and what gets in the way. Dr. Puentes uses techniques from Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to help people notice patterns and try different responses.
Emotionally-Focused Therapy and Imago Relationship Therapy inform her work with relationship concerns, especially around communication, attachment, and commitment issues. Existential ideas appear when people face big life questions after a transition. She draws from these approaches to help clients clarify values and take manageable steps.
Her experience includes long-term work with people facing trauma, abuse, and chronic stress, as well as issues like codependency, caregiver strain, and chronic illness. She also addresses concerns that can affect day-to-day functioning, such as anger, body image, and avoidance patterns.
Dr. Puentes practices in Texas and conducts sessions in English. For people considering therapy, she asks clients to describe their goals and current obstacles so they can decide together on the next steps.
How her approaches translate to online work
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) helps people clarify what matters to them and practice small actions that align with those values; it is useful for career decisions, low motivation, and coping with life changes. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) focuses on recognizing thought and behavior patterns that keep problems going and testing new ways of responding to reduce anxiety and lift mood. Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT) concentrates on feelings and attachment patterns in close relationships and can help with communication and commitment concerns.Choosing the right approach is part of the work together. The therapist discusses goals, preferences, and what has worked or not worked before, and then they try methods that fit the client’s situation. This is a collaborative process and can change as needs evolve.
Session options are not specified in the biography, so confirm current session formats before booking. Online sessions can make it easier to fit therapy into a busy week, allow shorter check-ins when schedules demand it, and reduce commuting time. They can also let someone connect from a quieter place or avoid being on camera when that helps. Licensed professionals adapt techniques like ACT, CBT, and EFT to work in virtual sessions and focus on practical steps that fit into daily life.
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Also works with
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
46+ years
Listed in
Texas
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What kinds of concerns does she address?
She works with stress, anxiety, depression, self-esteem, career issues, addictions, relationship problems, trauma, and related concerns such as caregiver stress and chronic illness.
How would she approach someone feeling stuck in their life?
She uses practical, conversational sessions that identify patterns and values. Techniques from ACT and CBT are used to try new responses and clarify next steps.
How much clinical experience does she bring?
She has 46 years of professional work experience, including long-term work with trauma, chronic stress, and life transitions.
What are her credentials and where is she based?
She is a Texas LMFT and a Texas LPC with a Master’s in Clinical Psychology and a Doctorate in Counseling Psychology, practicing in Texas.
Which languages are supported in sessions?
Sessions are offered in English.
Can people outside the United States work with her?
She does not accept international clients at this time.
How are session costs handled?
Cost varies by location and sessions use a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.
What should I do to begin working with her?
Select the See online therapy options button, complete the short matching questionnaire, and schedule a first session.
Online talk therapy is not emergency care. If you are in danger, use the crisis numbers.