Ricardo Velazquez Garcia

Licensed Professional Counselor-Associate / Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor-Intern

Supervised by Maribel Arias, LPC-S, NCC

If you have been feeling stressed, stuck, down, or just not like yourself, therapy can help. I work with adults across Texas who are dealing with anxiety, depression, mood swings, trauma, or big changes in life. All of my sessions are online, so you can meet with me from home or wherever you feel comfortable.

I use methods that have been well studied and shown to work:

CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy): helps you notice unhelpful thoughts and find better ways to think and respond.

DBT (Dialectical Behavior Therapy): teaches skills for handling strong emotions, stress, and conflict.

Trauma informed care: we move at your pace, and you decide what we talk about.

Mindfulness: simple tools to calm your mind and stay in the moment.

When it fits, I also use experimental approaches like video games, anime, and music in sessions. You're a human with interests and experiences! Why not bring those elements into the room? Some people find it easier to open up when therapy feels a little less formal. 


About Me

Before and alongside my counseling work, I have been involved in mental health research, including at the Bipolar Disorder Center at UT Austin. I am also studying neuropsychology at UT Tyler, which looks at how the brain affects mood and behavior. Outside of work, I enjoy music, nutrition, technology, and philosophy. Everyone is welcome here, no matter your background.

If you're looking for an assessment, space to talk, or ready to make a change, I would be glad to hear from you.


Specialties

Anxiety

Depression

Bipolar Disorder

Trauma and PTSD

Anger

Life Changes and Stress

Identity

Substance Use


Licensure

Licensed Professional Counselor - Associate

  • Texas License #97735

  • Supervised by Maribel Arias, LPC-S, NCC

Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor-Intern

Therapy Modalities

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)

Trauma Informed Therapy

Mindfulness

Existentialism 



Research Projects

AI-SCID-5 - using AI to make diagnostic interviews faster and more accurate

SMART-BD - optimizing outcomes in bipolar disorder via personalized care

Nectary Plus - mapping neural and cognitive pathways to decode bipolar disorder in youth

NimStim - mapping human emotion and neural processing with a multiracial facial database


Fees, Insurance & Payment Options

Insurance Accepted:

  • Aetna

  • Cigna

  • BCBS

Self-Pay Options:

  • $75 *sliding scale available


Locations

Virtual only in the state of Texas