Room for safety and choice
Trauma Therapy
A difficult experience can continue to affect your life long after it has ended. You may feel on guard, struggle to trust your own reactions, or find that reminders interrupt moments that used to feel ordinary. Trauma therapy offers a place to talk about those experiences without having to explain everything at once. At Growth Counseling, the conversation begins with what you need now, what feels manageable, and what you hope could be different in your daily life.
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Hybrid care in El Paso · Texas telehealth
Questions about getting started ↓When the past feels close in the present
You might notice that certain places, conversations, sounds, or situations bring up strong feelings. It may be difficult to settle down after a reminder, feel comfortable around others, or make space for rest. Sometimes the impact is less obvious: pulling away from people, doubting yourself, or spending a great deal of energy trying to appear fine. You do not need to decide whether your experience meets a particular label before asking for support.
People respond to difficult experiences in different ways. Counseling gives you room to describe what has changed for you, including the parts that do not make sense yet. You might want help understanding your responses, navigating relationships, or feeling more present in your routines. Your therapist can listen to your concerns and work with you to identify a useful starting point, rather than assume what your story or your goals should look like.
You have a say in the pace of the conversation
Starting therapy does not mean telling every detail of what happened during your first conversation. You can begin with how things are affecting you today, questions about counseling, or what would help you feel more comfortable in the room. It is okay to say that you are not ready to discuss something. Being able to ask questions and communicate your preferences is part of building a working relationship.
Together, you and your therapist can discuss what feels supportive, what brings up discomfort, and how to approach the work in a manageable way. You may spend time considering coping skills, noticing what helps you feel more settled, or talking about boundaries in everyday relationships. These conversations can also recognize the ways you have already protected yourself and managed demanding circumstances, even when those efforts have been difficult for others to see.
Approaches that connect with your needs
Brenda Rueda, MS Psych, MEd, LPC-S, works with teens and adults navigating trauma and other mental health concerns. Her approach is person-centered and humanistic, with sessions that are conversational and focused. She draws on approaches including EMDR, CBT, IFS, and ACT, as well as her training in DBT and ERP. Which approach belongs in your care is something to discuss with Brenda in relation to your concerns and preferences.
If you are curious about EMDR, you can ask what it involves, why it might be considered, and how Brenda would determine whether it fits your needs. Asking about an approach does not commit you to it. You deserve a clear explanation and room to share concerns before deciding how to proceed. There is no single method or timeline that can be promised for every person, and the work can be reviewed together as your needs become clearer.
Making room for the life you want to live
Trauma counseling can include the everyday effects that are easy to overlook when attention stays only on the original experience. You may want to feel more comfortable asking for support, communicate a boundary, or understand why a routine interaction feels so demanding. Perhaps you want to spend less energy preparing for something to go wrong, or find more room for connection with people who matter to you.
Your goals do not have to be dramatic to deserve attention. A useful conversation might begin with one situation you would like to approach differently, one relationship that feels strained, or one concern you have been carrying alone. You and your therapist can keep checking whether the work feels relevant to those priorities. If something does not seem helpful, that is information you can bring into the conversation, rather than something you need to hide or get right on your own.
Getting started with Growth Counseling
Growth Counseling offers in-person sessions in El Paso and telehealth for clients across Texas. Brenda offers sessions in English and Spanish and welcomes LGBTQIA+ clients. A free 15-minute consultation gives you an opportunity to ask about therapist fit, the session format, and the concerns you want support with. You can keep that first conversation focused on what you need to know before deciding whether to begin.
Before your consultation, you can review the therapist profiles and the Fees & Insurance page. You may want to ask about costs, how initial sessions work, or how you and your therapist would discuss your goals. There is no need to prepare a complete account of your experiences. Sharing that you are looking for trauma support, along with any preferences or questions you have, is enough to open the conversation.
Care in El Paso. A clearer place to start.
11680 Montana, Suite 215B, El Paso, TX 79936
Hybrid sessions in El Paso and telehealth throughout Texas.
Fees and your first conversation
Individual sessions with an LPC Associate are $75. Individual sessions with Brenda are $150. Sliding scale is available. Ask about the fee and coverage for your therapist before scheduling.
View fees & insurance →A free 15-minute consultation gives you room to ask about fit, appointment options, and the next step.
Call (915) 263-1070 →Frequently asked questions
Do I have to describe everything that happened?
You can start with how your experiences are affecting your life now. You do not need to share every detail during a consultation or first session. Talk with your therapist about your comfort level, questions, and the pace that feels manageable.
Do I need a trauma diagnosis before reaching out?
You can contact Growth Counseling without arriving with a diagnosis. Describe the support you are looking for and ask whether the practice is a suitable fit. Your concerns and their effect on your life are a place to begin.
Who provides trauma therapy at Growth Counseling?
Brenda Rueda, MS Psych, MEd, LPC-S, works with teens and adults navigating trauma. You can learn more about her approach on the About page and ask about working with her during your free consultation.
Can I ask about EMDR?
Yes. Brenda draws on EMDR among other approaches. You can ask her to explain the process, discuss whether it may fit your needs, and answer questions before deciding how to proceed. The approach to counseling is considered with your individual circumstances in mind.
Are sessions available online or in Spanish?
Growth Counseling offers telehealth across Texas alongside in-person sessions in El Paso. Brenda offers sessions in English and Spanish. Share your language and format preferences when contacting the practice so you can discuss suitable arrangements.
How do I take the first step?
Request a free 15-minute consultation. You can ask about therapist fit, fees, session format, and what getting started involves. A brief description of the support you want is enough for that initial conversation.
START WITH A CONVERSATION