Dr. Betsy Puentes, LMFT, LPC

Dr. Betsy Puentes uses practical, goal-focused methods to help people manage stress and life changes. She is a licensed marriage and family therapist and a licensed professional counselor in Texas with 46 years of experience. Her approach centers on clear steps people can try between sessions.

She helps with anxiety, depression, and low self-esteem by teaching skills that change unhelpful thoughts and behaviors. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is part of her toolbox and often guides the work on patterns that keep problems going. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy adds ways to notice difficult feelings without letting them dictate choices.

Dr. Puentes also draws on emotionally-focused methods to address relationship concerns and attachment issues. That work focuses on improving communication and understanding emotional responses. Imago relationship ideas appear when couples or partners want different ways to connect and talk through repeated conflicts.

Her background includes a master’s degree in clinical psychology and a doctorate in counseling psychology, plus decades of clinical practice. She aims to meet people where they are and build on their strengths. Sessions are straightforward and paced to each person’s needs.

Many clients bring issues like career stress, addiction, chronic illness, body image worries, or grief from loss or natural disaster. She uses simple exercises, behavioral experiments, and mindful awareness to make daily life feel more manageable.

Starting therapy involves a short questionnaire and scheduling a first appointment. Dr. Puentes works in English and practices from Texas.

CBT, ACT and Emotionally-Focused Work Online

Dr. Puentes commonly uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to help people spot unhelpful thoughts and try new behaviors. CBT focuses on small, practical experiments that can reduce anxiety, lift mood, and improve daily functioning. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy is also part of her approach and teaches people how to notice strong emotions while choosing actions that match their values. ACT can be useful for coping with chronic pain, loss, or persistent worry.

She also uses emotionally-focused ideas when relationship patterns or attachment concerns are central. That work helps name emotions, improve communication, and shift repetitive cycles that cause disconnection. Choosing which approach to use is collaborative - the therapist will talk with each person about goals, try methods that fit, and adjust the plan based on what helps most.

Online therapy is offered through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging to make therapy fit into busy lives. Video allows face-to-face conversation for skill coaching and emotional work. Phone sessions can be easier when bandwidth is limited or a shorter check-in is needed. Live chat and text messaging work well for brief updates, skill reminders, or tracking progress between sessions.