Living in Lewisville, we often find ourselves caught between two worlds. On one hand, we have the calming presence of the lake and the charm of Old Town; on the other, we deal with the intense rush of the DFW Metroplex, the constant hum of I-35E, and the pressure to keep up with a rapidly growing community.
When you are carrying the weight of past trauma or battling the symptoms of PTSD, that contrast can feel even sharper. You might be walking through the calm streets of Castle Hills or sitting by the water at Lake Park, yet internally, you feel chaotic, on edge, or completely numb.
I am Anamile Guerra, a Licensed Professional Counselor Associate, and I provide online counseling to help you navigate these difficult waters. My goal is to offer a space where you don’t have to pretend everything is “business as usual.” Whether you are dealing with a recent event or old wounds that have resurfaced, you don’t have to carry it alone.
When the “Shining Star of Texas” Loses Its Shine
Lewisville is a place where community matters. From the concerts at Wayne Ferguson Plaza to the Friday night lights of our local high schools, there is a strong sense of connection here. But trauma has a way of making you feel isolated, even when you are surrounded by people.
You might find yourself avoiding the bustle of Music City Mall because crowds feel overwhelming. Perhaps the commute down 121 or the endless construction on the interstate triggers a panic response you can’t quite explain. Or maybe you are functioning perfectly well at your job near the Medical City district, but the moment you get home, you crash, unable to engage with your family.
Trauma and PTSD don’t always look like they do in the movies. You don’t have to be a combat veteran to experience them (though I certainly support veterans). Trauma is simply the body’s response to a deeply distressing or disturbing event that overwhelms your ability to cope.
In our area, I often see clients dealing with:
- Acute stress from accidents, often related to the heavy traffic corridors we navigate daily.
- Relational trauma stemming from difficult family dynamics or past relationships.
- Workplace stress that has crossed the line into traumatic burnout, common in high-pressure industries.
- Childhood wounds that tend to resurface during major life transitions, like buying a home in Vista Ridge or starting a family.
Why Online Therapy Suits the Lewisville Lifestyle
Let’s be honest: navigating traffic in Lewisville—especially during rush hour—adds a layer of stress that nobody needs, especially when you are trying to heal. The last thing you want to do after opening up about difficult memories is to sit in gridlock on I-35E or Main Street, worrying about getting home in time for dinner.
By offering telehealth services, I bring the therapy room to you. You can attend your session from the privacy of your home in The Colony, your apartment near Hebron, or even your parked car during a lunch break if that’s the only private space you have.
This modality removes the barriers of commute time and parking, but it also offers a level of privacy that many of my clients appreciate. Lewisville is big, but it can still feel like a small town where everyone knows everyone. If you are worried about running into a neighbor, a colleague, or a fellow parent in a waiting room, online therapy eliminates that concern entirely.
A Bilingual Space for Healing
Lewisville is beautifully diverse, with a vibrant Hispanic community that is an essential part of the city’s fabric. Language should never be a barrier to mental healthcare.
I am fluent in both English and Spanish. I know that when it comes to emotional processing, sometimes the words only come out right in your native tongue. There are nuances in culture and language that simply don’t translate. If you are more comfortable expressing your pain, your history, or your hopes in Spanish, we can conduct our sessions that way. Being able to switch between languages can often help access different parts of your experience and facilitate deeper healing.
My Approach: Walking the Path With You
I view therapy as a collaborative journey. I am not here to tell you what to do or to “fix” you, because you aren’t broken. You are responding to what has happened to you.
I work under the supervision of Jennifer Gonzalez, MS, LPC-S, and Amanda Varnon, MA, LPC-S. My educational background includes a Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from USW and a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from UTRGV. But beyond the credentials, my approach is rooted in being human with you.
What Our Sessions Might Look Like
When working with trauma, safety is the priority. We will never dive into the deep end before you are ready. I draw from several evidence-based approaches to create a plan that fits you:
- Terapia centrada en la persona: This means I follow your lead. You are the expert on your own life. I provide the empathy and unconditional positive regard necessary for you to trust yourself again.
- Terapia cognitivo-conductual (TCC): Trauma often distorts how we see the world. We might believe “I am not safe anywhere” or “It was all my fault.” We will work together to gently challenge these thoughts and rebuild a narrative that serves your recovery.
- Terapia Breve Centrada en Soluciones (SFBT): While we honor the past, we also want to improve your present. We will look for your existing strengths—the resilience that has gotten you this far—and use them to build practical coping strategies.
- Psicología positiva: Even in the midst of pain, we can look for moments of growth, meaning, and connection.
Identifying the Signs of Unresolved Trauma
Sometimes we normalize our struggle for so long that we don’t realize it’s a response to trauma. You might benefit from counseling if you are experiencing:
- Pensamientos intrusivos: Memories that pop up when you’re trying to focus on work or relax at home.
- Evitación: Going out of your way to avoid places, people, or activities that remind you of painful events (e.g., avoiding driving on certain highways).
- Hyperarousal: Feeling “keyed up,” irritable, or constantly scanning your environment for danger, even when you are safe in your own living room.
- Entumecimiento: Feeling detached from your partner or children, or losing interest in hobbies you used to love, like spending weekends at the lake.
- Sleep disturbances: Nightmares or insomnia that leave you exhausted during the day.
Reclaiming Your Life in Lewisville
Recovery isn’t about erasing the past. It’s about integrating your experiences so they no longer control your present. It’s about being able to enjoy a festival in Old Town without scanning for exits. It’s about driving to work without a pit in your stomach. It’s about connecting with your loved ones without a wall of protection keeping them out.
You have already shown immense strength by simply keeping going. Now, imagine what you could do if you didn’t have to use all that energy just to survive the day.
I Invite You to Reach Out
Taking the first step is often the hardest part of the process. It takes courage to admit that things aren’t okay and that you need support.
I work with adults (18+), older adults, and couples throughout Texas via telehealth. Whether you are ready to tackle deep-seated PTSD or simply feel like life has become unmanageable and you need a supportive ear, I am here to help.
You don’t have to navigate this alone. If you are in Lewisville or the surrounding area and are ready to explore what healing looks like for you, please reach out. I would be honored to walk alongside you on your journey toward a more balanced and peaceful life.