Dr. Betsy Puentes, LMFT, LPC
Narrative-oriented therapist with practical focus
Details
| Name | Dr. Betsy Puentes |
|---|---|
| Credentials | LMFT, LPC |
| Based in | Texas |
| Licensed in | Texas |
| Session format | Online |
| Languages | English |
| Years in practice | 46 |
About Betsy
Dr. Betsy Puentes draws on Narrative therapy to help people reframe the stories they tell about themselves. She combines that approach with practical techniques to address stress, anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, and career concerns.
Dr. Puentes holds a doctorate in Counseling Psychology and a master’s degree in Clinical Psychology, and she has 46 years of experience as a Texas clinician. Her listed licenses include LMFT and LPC.
She works in a straightforward, respectful way that treats the client as the expert on their life.
Background and approach
Sessions focus on identifying patterns that keep problems going and finding small, doable changes. That can mean looking at thoughts and behaviors, clarifying values, or noticing how relationships shape everyday choices. Dr.
Puentes uses a mix of methods depending on the concern. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy helps with unhelpful thinking and coping skills. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy supports people who want to act on their values even when feelings get in the way.
Emotionally-Focused Therapy can help where relationship and attachment issues are central. Many clients seek her help for trauma, addictions, anger, or struggles around identity and relationship stress. She also notes additional focus areas such as caregiver strain, chronic illness and pain, codependency, body image, and aging-related concerns.
Her approach is practical and grounded in long experience. People who choose Dr. Puentes typically want a clear plan, gentle challenge, and work that connects day-to-day life to larger meaning.
She encourages small steps that build confidence and steady progress over time.
What this therapist works with
Her listing names Stress, Anxiety, Self esteem, Career difficulties among the things Betsy works with, alongside the areas below.
- Stress, Anxiety
- Self esteem
- Career difficulties
- Depression
- Coping with life changes
- Addictions
- LGBT
- Relationship issues
- Trauma and abuse
- Anger management
- Abandonment
- Aging and geriatric issues
- Attachment issues
- Avoidant personality
- Blended family issues
- Body image
- Caregiver issues and stress
- Chronic pain, illness, and disability
- Codependency
- Commitment issues
- Communication problems
- Control issues
- Coping with natural or human-caused disaster
- Dependent personality
- Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder (DMDD)
- Divorce and separation
- Drug and alcohol addiction
- Eating and food-related issues
- Emptiness
- Family of origin issues
- Family problems
- Fatherhood issues
- Forgiveness
- Gender dysphoria
- Guilt and shame
- HIV / AIDS
- Hoarding
- Immigration issues
- Impulsivity
- Infidelity
- Intellectual disability
- Isolation / loneliness
- Jealousy
- Life purpose
- Men's issues
- Midlife crisis
- Veteran and Armed Forces Issues
- Money and financial issues
- Mood disorders
- Multicultural concerns
- Narcissism
- Obsessions, compulsions, and OCD
- Panic disorder and panic attacks
- Personality disorders
- Phobias
- Polyamory / non-monogamous relationships
- Postpartum depression
- Post-traumatic stress
- Pregnancy and childbirth
- Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)
- Self-harm
- Self-love
- Sexuality
- Social anxiety and phobia
- Visually impaired
- Women's issues
- Workplace issues
- Young adult issues
Approaches listed
- Narrative Therapy: Named in her listing among her approaches.
- Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT): Listed by Betsy among the ways she works.
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): Listed by Betsy among the ways she works.
- Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT): Listed by Betsy among the ways she works.
- Existential Therapy: Listed by Betsy among the ways she works.
- Imago Relationship Therapy: Listed by Betsy among the ways she works.
- Mindfulness Therapy: Listed by Betsy among the ways she works.
- Motivational Interviewing: Listed by Betsy among the ways she works.
- Psychodynamic Therapy: Listed by Betsy among the ways she works.
- Solution-Focused Therapy: Listed by Betsy among the ways she works.
- Trauma-Focused Therapy: Listed by Betsy among the ways she works.
- Training stated: This directory copies the approaches a therapist names and does not check training records. Ask Betsy directly how much of the work is narrative and what a session usually looks like.
Narrative Therapy in this listing
Narrative Therapy appears in this therapist's own list of approaches. That tells you it is part of how she works. It does not tell you how much of a session it shapes, and this directory does not check or rate training.
If a narrative approach is what you are looking for, it is worth asking Betsy directly how she uses it and what a session usually looks like.
Online session options
How narrative and evidence-based approaches work online
Dr. Puentes blends Narrative therapy with Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). Narrative therapy focuses on the stories people tell about themselves and looks for new angles that reduce problem power. ACT helps people notice difficult feelings while committing to actions that match their values. CBT targets unhelpful thoughts and builds practical coping skills to change day-to-day behavior.Finding the right approach is a collaborative process. The therapist will talk with the client about their goals, preferences, and what feels most useful. Together they decide which methods to try and adjust the plan as progress is made, keeping the client's voice central to each step.
Online therapy lets people meet from different places using video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging. Video is useful for deeper conversations and seeing nonverbal cues, phone calls can work when bandwidth is limited, live chat is quick for short check-ins, and text messaging supports ongoing reflection between sessions. These options make it easier to fit therapy into a busy life and to continue work even when schedules change.
Common questions about this listing
What concerns does she address?
She helps people with stress, anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, career problems, addictions, trauma, anger, relationship issues, and LGBT matters, plus a range of related areas like caregiver stress and chronic pain.
How would you describe her therapeutic style?
Her work centers on Narrative therapy alongside ACT, CBT, EFT, and existential ideas, with an emphasis on collaborative, practical steps and re-authoring personal stories.
What experience does she bring?
She holds a doctorate in Counseling Psychology, a master’s in Clinical Psychology, and brings 46 years of professional experience in mental health practice.
Where is she located and what are her credentials?
She practices in Texas and lists credentials as LMFT and LPC with licensure in Texas.
Which languages are supported for sessions?
Sessions are offered in English.
Can international clients work with her?
International clients are not currently accepted.
What session formats are available?
She offers video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging to fit different needs and schedules.
How do I begin working with her?
Start by selecting the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and then schedule sessions according to therapist availability.
Contacting this therapist
Sessions with Betsy are arranged through our partner platform. It asks a few questions about what you are looking for, then shows you the therapists available to you, including Betsy where she has space. Ask about fees, and whether she holds a licence or registration where you live.
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