Carolina Villarreal, M.A. Registered Art Therapist, Licensed Professional Counselor

“We think we listen, but very rarely do we listen with real understanding, true empathy. Yet listening, of this very special kind, is one of the most potent forces for change that I know.” —Carl Rogers
I became a therapist because ever since I was a little girl, I have admired how people can endure tremendous pain but keep fighting and moving forward. Everyday through my work I am continuously amazed and humbled by everyone’s inner strength and ability to heal. I truly feel it is an honor to be able to hear people’s stories and listen to what they carry, no matter their age. Through my life I have encountered struggles that have made me a stronger human being and through art and processing I learned to transform these struggles into growth. I am not here to ‘cure’ or ‘change’ you; my hope is that you learn to trust me through our therapeutic journey so that I help facilitate your own personal growth to help you reach your highest potential. I have had the privilege of working with people of all ages, from children as young as four years of age struggling with emotional dysregulation all the way to older adults struggling/living with Dementia. Having been able to work with people of all ages has allowed me to see how valuable therapy can be at every and any point in our lives. In addition to this, I have learned so much from my time as the art therapist for almost five years at Eating Recovery Center, an eating disorder treatment center in Plano, Texas. While working there, I facilitated body image art therapy groups to help clients foster self-love and acceptance. If you are struggling with an eating disorder or negative body image, I would love to help you break through those misconceptions about your body.
I help my clients by:
Facilitating expression through
different therapeutic art techniques
Creating a safe place through
empathetic listening
Specialties:
Children, Adolescents, Adults
Eating disorders, Body Image,
Trauma, Anxiety, Depression, Suicidal
Ideation, Life Transitions
Qualifications:
Registered Art Therapist (ATR)
Licensed Professional Counselor both in Texas & Colorado (LPC)
Master of Arts in Art Therapy (New York University)
BA in Psychology (St. Edward’s University)
Past Experience:
Imagine Art (Nonprofit in Austin, TX)
Lenox Hill Neighborhood House (New York, NY)
The Children’s Hospital at Montefiore (The Bronx, NY)
Haven Behavioral Hospital (Frisco, TX)
The Art Station (Fort Worth, TX)
Eating Recovery Center (Plano, TX)