Dr. Betsy Puentes , LMFT, LPC

Dr. Betsy Puentes uses practical, person-centered therapy to help people manage stress and life transitions. She holds a Doctorate in Counseling Psychology and brings 46 years of professional experience to her work. Dr. Puentes is licensed as a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and a Licensed Professional Counselor in Texas. She offers straightforward support for common concerns like anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, and career struggles.

Her approach focuses on helping people notice what matters to them and take small, doable steps toward change. She draws on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to address unhelpful thoughts and patterns. Emotionally-Focused Therapy and Imago Relationship Therapy inform her work around relationship issues and communication challenges.

Dr. Puentes also supports people facing trauma, addictions, anger, and difficulties tied to caregiving or chronic illness. She helps clients address body image, attachment questions, abandonment concerns, and other interpersonal patterns that cause pain. The work often combines skills practice with reflection about values and meaning.

Sessions aim to be practical and clear. Expect a mix of conversation, skill-building, and reflection about goals. Dr. Puentes treats each person as the expert on their life and helps identify strengths to use during change.

She provides services from Texas in English and offers multiple session formats to fit different needs. Getting started involves a short matching questionnaire and scheduling a session once a plan is set.

Therapeutic approaches that translate well to online care

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) helps people clarify what matters to them and take small, values-driven steps despite difficult thoughts or feelings. It focuses on building psychological flexibility through practical exercises and everyday choices. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) looks at patterns of thinking and behavior that keep problems going and teaches concrete skills to change those patterns, which can be practiced between sessions. Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT) focuses on understanding and reshaping emotional responses in close relationships, helping people improve communication and feel more connected.

Finding the right fit is part of the process. The therapist will work collaboratively to decide which approaches match a person's goals and preferences. Sessions can blend styles so the plan remains flexible and responsive to changing needs.

Online therapy offers several practical benefits. Video calls allow face-to-face conversation and visual cues, while phone sessions are useful when bandwidth is limited or when someone prefers not to be on camera. Live chat and text-based messaging make it easier to check in between sessions, share brief updates, or fit therapy into a busy day. These options make it simpler to maintain continuity of care and practice new skills in everyday settings.