Hola! I’m Celia (she/her).

Proud Boricua, queer, fat babe, psychotherapist, decolonization enthusiast, and tia to some cutie pies.

Credentials

• Licensed Professional Counselor, Texas: #80698

• EMDR Trained

• Internal Family Systems Trained (Level 1)

• M.A. in Professional Counseling, Texas State University

• B.S. from The University of Texas at Austin

• Body Trust™ Certification (Expected 2024)

Chances are, you’re here because you hold one or more magical identities that diverges from the, so-called, “norm.” I’ve been where you are. On the other end of the screen, scouring therapists’ websites in search of an affirming, safe therapist with whom I could be my full self.

Truth is, we all need a safe and fully accepting space in order to heal from trauma, anxiety, depression, shame, and just about everything else. A healing space where who you are is not just tolerated, but celebrated.

You deserve a sanctuary of radical acceptance where you can be your truest you.

I’m not a stranger to the othering, rejection, and religious trauma that often accompany the coming out process. A journey which compelled me to find sanctuaries of radical acceptance within myself, trusted relationships, and with a damn good therapist. These sanctuaries became safe places in the face of oppressive societal structures and relationships - to breathe, cry, exist, be afraid, and survive it all. I get totally stoked at the idea of helping people find their own inner safe spaces - a place of authentic, compassionate connecting with self that you can return to again and again.

You have an innate ability to heal and a profoundly wise intuition that, once tapped into, can lead the way in recovering from life’s most challenging experiences and pain. I don’t pretend to have all of the answers. Rather, I’m here to help you connect with your truest self and reclaim your most potent super power -

Your ability to heal yourself.

So how does this all work? Learn more about my specialties and approaches on my services page. Check out the logistics at the bottom of this page.

Let’s Get Personal

I was born in Puerto Rico and moved to Texas as a kiddo, where I became obsessive about collecting sparkly rocks and owning a cat. I still love sparkly rocks to this day, but am unfortunately, uncomfortably allergic to feline fur babies. I got lost in a sea of students at The University of Texas at Austin, spent several years at a local non-profit, and then attended Texas State University and received my Master’s Degree in Professional Counseling. Before founding Sanctuary Counseling, I provided therapy services at a community agency, a group practice, and an inpatient and intensive outpatient program.

Outside of being a counselor, I love a good dance party, taking walks in parks, finding the best coffee in ATX, learning about my indigenous Taíno culture, and watching movies on the big screen. A little known fact about me is that I’m a retired wedding singer and choir nerd, but still hold concerts in my car during rush hour traffic.