April Abrego, PsyD

I have a PsyD in Counseling Psychology from Our Lady of the Lake University and a Master’s in Mental Health Counseling from Texas A&M University. My background includes work in neuropsychological assessment, vocational counseling, and brief therapy models. I’ve worked in schools, hospitals, and private practice, with a wide range of clients.

If you’re feeling overwhelmed, anxious, emotionally stuck, or unsure how to handle everything life is throwing at you, therapy can give you space to step back, make sense of what’s going on, and decide what to do next. I work with adults who want to gain insight, explore their experiences, and build practical strategies that feel useful in real life.

AREAS I SPECIALIZE IN:

• Anxiety, stress, and burnout

• Depression and mood-related concerns

• Trauma and recovery from abuse or neglect

• Work-related stress and career challenges

• Parenting stress and caregiver fatigue

• Adjustment to disability (your own or a loved one’s)

• LGBTQ+ affirming care and identity exploration

WHAT IT’S LIKE TO WORK WITH ME

My style is direct, collaborative, and conversational. I ask meaningful questions, offer honest feedback, and help you look at things from new angles. I approach therapy with curiosity, respect, and a sense of humor. Sessions often feel like thoughtful, structured conversations — not stiff or scripted.

I use research-backed methods to help us understand how your thoughts, emotions, and behaviors interact:

• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): Helps identify and shift unhelpful thought loops and behavioral patterns. On a deeper level, it helps us explore where these loops began and the core beliefs or stories that have kept them going.

• Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT): Focuses on your existing strengths, tracks small wins, and helps define clear goals. It doesn't dismiss problems but keeps our work future-focused and actionable.

• Motivational Interviewing (MI): Supports change by helping you clarify what matters, even if you feel ambivalent. Whether you’re not ready, thinking about change, or already taking steps, MI meets you where you are.

• Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT): Builds psychological flexibility by helping you notice unhelpful mental habits, accept uncomfortable thoughts, and take actions guided by your values.

• Trauma-Focused Therapy – including Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT), which helps process and reframe difficult experiences by exploring the meanings we’ve made about ourselves and the world in the aftermath of trauma.

WHAT TO EXPECT IN OUR FIRST SESSION

In our first session, we’ll start with what feels most important to you. That might mean discussing your current concerns, reviewing relevant background, and exploring what you’d like from therapy. But it can also be a space to let out what you’ve been holding in. If you're not ready to dive into goals just yet, we can gather that information gradually. I’ll provide enough structure to guide us, while leaving room for what you need most in the moment.

MY PHILOSOPHY

Some people come to therapy like they would a doctor — when something feels off and they want to get back on track. Others use therapy more like the gym or a salon — a regular check-in and form of self-care. I support both. Whether we’re addressing something acute or investing in your growth, I want therapy to be worth your time.

We’ll explore patterns, build skills, and reconnect with your strengths. We may dig into the past or focus on the present. No matter where we start, my goal is to help you move forward.