Dr. Betsy Puentes, LMFT, LPC
Experienced therapist focused on life transitions
Continue with Betsy
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- Values-centered work
- Practical strategies
- Long-term experience
About Betsy
Dr. Betsy Puentes is a licensed therapist who combines practical, evidence-informed approaches to help people facing midlife questions and everyday stress. She brings 46 years of clinical experience and holds the LMFT and LPC credentials. Dr. Puentes listens for strengths and helps people use those strengths to move forward.
Her work centers on helping people with stress, anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, motivation struggles, and career concerns. She also supports those dealing with relationship strain, trauma and abuse, anger, and addiction-related problems. Midlife transitions and other life changes are part of her focus, and she helps people consider values, choices, and next steps.
In sessions she combines tools from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy with emotionally focused work. This mix aims to reduce unhelpful behavior patterns, clarify what matters, and improve emotional connection in relationships. She keeps explanations direct and practical so people can try things between meetings.
Dr. Puentes draws on decades of experience to help people navigate long-standing patterns like attachment concerns, codependency, and commitment worries. She also addresses issues such as caregiver stress, chronic illness or pain, body image, and aging-related concerns. Her style is collaborative - she helps people set goals and tests small changes together.
People who choose to work with her can expect straightforward conversation, concrete strategies, and attention to personal values and meaning. To begin, readers are asked to use the site's Start Therapy flow to match and schedule according to availability.
Her work centers on helping people with stress, anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, motivation struggles, and career concerns. She also supports those dealing with relationship strain, trauma and abuse, anger, and addiction-related problems. Midlife transitions and other life changes are part of her focus, and she helps people consider values, choices, and next steps.
In sessions she combines tools from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy with emotionally focused work. This mix aims to reduce unhelpful behavior patterns, clarify what matters, and improve emotional connection in relationships. She keeps explanations direct and practical so people can try things between meetings.
Dr. Puentes draws on decades of experience to help people navigate long-standing patterns like attachment concerns, codependency, and commitment worries. She also addresses issues such as caregiver stress, chronic illness or pain, body image, and aging-related concerns. Her style is collaborative - she helps people set goals and tests small changes together.
People who choose to work with her can expect straightforward conversation, concrete strategies, and attention to personal values and meaning. To begin, readers are asked to use the site's Start Therapy flow to match and schedule according to availability.
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Also works with
AddictionsLGBTRelationship issuesTrauma and abuseAnger management
Additional focus areas
AbandonmentAging and geriatric issuesAttachment issuesAvoidant personalityBlended family issuesBody imageCaregiver issues and stressChronic pain, illness, and disabilityCodependencyCommitment issuesCommunication problemsControl issuesCoping with natural or human-caused disasterDependent personalityDisruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder (DMDD)Divorce and separationDrug and alcohol addictionEating and food-related issuesEmptinessFamily of origin issuesFamily problemsFatherhood issuesForgivenessGender dysphoriaGuilt and shameHIV / AIDSHoardingImmigration issuesImpulsivityInfidelityIntellectual disabilityIsolation / lonelinessJealousyLife purposeMen's issuesMidlife crisisVeteran and Armed Forces IssuesMoney and financial issuesMood disordersMulticultural concernsNarcissismObsessions, compulsions, and OCDPanic disorder and panic attacksPersonality disordersPhobiasPolyamory / non-monogamous relationshipsPostpartum depressionPost-traumatic stressPregnancy and childbirthSeasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)Self-harmSelf-loveSexualitySocial anxiety and phobiaVisually impairedWomen's issuesWorkplace issuesYoung adult issues
Therapeutic approaches
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT)Existential TherapyImago Relationship TherapyMindfulness TherapyMotivational InterviewingNarrative TherapyPsychodynamic TherapySolution-Focused TherapyTrauma-Focused Therapy
Experience
46+ years
Credentials
Texas, Texas
Languages
English
How certain approaches can work well online
Dr. Puentes uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy as core tools. CBT looks at thoughts and behaviors and teaches concrete skills to reduce worry, lift mood, and break unhelpful patterns. ACT helps people clarify what matters to them and practice small changes that match those values, which can be useful during midlife transitions and when facing hard choices.Finding the right approach is a collaborative process. The therapist will discuss goals, preferences, and what feels most useful, then try methods together and adjust as needed. This means clients and therapist choose techniques that fit the person's life and aims rather than assuming one fixed method.
Session formats are not specified in the biography, so confirm current options before booking. Online work can make it easier to fit therapy into a busy schedule, reduce travel time, and allow for brief check-ins when needed. Different methods translate well to remote work: CBT exercises and ACT values work can be practiced between sessions, and emotionally focused conversations can proceed through live meetings when chosen. Discuss practical scheduling and format questions during the initial matching and scheduling steps to find what best fits everyday life.
Frequently asked questions
What kinds of concerns does she address?
She helps people with stress, anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, career issues, addiction concerns, relationship strain, trauma, anger, and challenges around midlife and life changes.
How would you describe her therapeutic style?
Her approach is practical and collaborative, blending cognitive behavioral tools, acceptance work, and emotionally focused methods to test small changes and clarify values.
What is her background and experience?
She holds a doctorate in counseling psychology and a master’s in clinical psychology, and has 46 years of professional experience in mental health.
Where is she based and what credentials does she hold?
She is based in Texas and holds LMFT and LPC credentials with licensure in Texas.
Which languages are supported for sessions?
Sessions are offered in English.
Can people outside the United States work with her?
She does not accept international clients at this time.
How are fees and payment handled?
Cost varies with location and therapist availability; sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
What are the first steps to begin therapy?
Click the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule sessions based on the therapist's availability.