FAQ

All therapy sessions are offered virtually through a secure platform called Simple Practice, which you can access on a computer, tablet, or phone.

This setup lets you meet from wherever works best for you – your home, your car between commitments, or any private space that feels right.

Please see the Focus-Forward tab for information on Case Management Services.

Schedule a 15-minute free consultation call to talk through what you're looking for and see whether we're a good fit. You can reach us at (346) 471-5200 or diversebhgrouppllc@outlook.com to set that up.

During the consultation, you'll have the chance to share what's been going on and ask any questions about the process. It's a low-pressure way to get a feel for whether this is the right fit before committing to anything.

Once you schedule your first session, you'll receive an email with access to a secure patient portal.

Complete your intake forms and provide the necessary information before your appointment. All intake paperwork must be finished at least 48 hours before your first session. If forms are not completed in time, your appointment may need to be rescheduled.

Sessions are 50 minutes.

Most clients start with weekly sessions to build consistency and keep momentum going.

As progress is made, some clients move to every other week or less frequent check-ins. The frequency depends on your goals, needs, and what feels supportive for your life. We decide this together and adjust as needed.

Yes. We accept the following insurance plans: Aetna, Aetna Better Health, Ambetter, Amerigroup (TX), Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas (BCBS TX), Cigna (including group plans), Community Health Choice, Humana, Magellan, Molina Healthcare of Texas, Multiplan, Superior HealthPlan, Texas Children's Health Plan, Texas Medicaid (including group plans), and UnitedHealthcare.

We recommend calling the number on the back of your insurance card to confirm in-network benefits for your specific plan.

A limited number of sliding scale appointments are available based on financial need and current openings.

If no sliding scale spots are available, you can be placed on a waitlist or provided with referrals to other providers who offer reduced-fee options. Please reach out for current availability.

We require 48 hours' notice for all appointment cancellations or reschedules.

If an appointment is canceled or rescheduled with less than 48 hours' notice, a $75 cancellation fee will be charged. This policy protects reserved appointment times and ensures availability for other clients who may be waiting.

If you're unable to attend your session, please contact us as soon as possible so we can help you reschedule.

We work with individuals of all ages, from adolescents to seniors. Our approach is tailored to meet the unique needs of each age group.

Our Focus-Forward programming is designed specifically for clients under the age of 18, addressing their unique developmental and emotional needs.

We have a particular focus on serving BIPOC communities, including Hispanic and African American clients. Many clients come in navigating family dynamics, cultural pressures, trauma histories, or simply the weight of being the person everyone else relies on.

Yes. Virtual therapy is just as effective as in-person therapy for many people.

What matters most is the connection, consistency, and quality of support. Many clients find virtual sessions easier to maintain because they reduce travel time and scheduling stress.

Virtual therapy works especially well if you prefer privacy and comfort at home, have a busy or unpredictable schedule, live in an area with limited access to providers, or feel more comfortable opening up in your own space.

With a private setting and stable internet connection, this can be a very effective way to engage in meaningful work.

The first few sessions are about building comfort and understanding your story at your own pace.

We'll talk about what's been going on, what feels most difficult right now, and what you'd like to change or improve. There's no pressure to share everything at once. You're in control of what you're ready to talk about.

We also begin identifying goals so that therapy feels focused and meaningful rather than overwhelming or confusing.

Sessions are a mix of conversation, reflection, and skill-building.

Some days focus more on talking through emotions and experiences. Other days focus on learning practical tools for stress, anxiety, communication, or emotional regulation.

The goal is to help you both understand what you're going through and build tools to help you manage it in real life. Every session is guided by your needs in that moment.

Sometimes, yes – but only if it feels helpful.

These might include simple reflections, practicing coping skills, journaling, or trying small changes between sessions. The purpose is not to add pressure but to help you apply what you're learning in real life.

Anything suggested is always optional and discussed together.

Yes, but only at a pace that feels right for you.

Sometimes understanding the past helps make sense of what's happening now. Other times, we focus more on the present and how to manage it.

You'll never be pressed to share anything before you're ready. We move in a way that supports emotional safety and stability.

Therapy can be helpful if you feel overwhelmed, emotionally drained, or unsure how to move forward on your own.

You don't need to be in crisis.

Many people come to therapy simply because they want things to feel different. More manageable. More balanced. More understood.

If something in your life feels heavy or hard to navigate alone, this can be a space to sort through it with support.

I don't believe there's one "perfect" type of client. Some of the most meaningful work happens with people who are simply ready for something to feel different in their lives, even if they don't fully know where to start yet.

The clients who stand out to me are the ones who feel overwhelmed or emotionally exhausted, or who've been carrying experiences they've had to manage alone for a long time. Many come into therapy used to being the strong one for everyone else. Therapy becomes the first space where they can finally focus on themselves.

I value working with clients who are open to the process, willing to be honest with themselves, and interested in growth, even when it feels uncomfortable. You don't have to have everything figured out to begin. Showing up is enough.

I hold over 20 years of professional experience, including assessments and individual and couples therapy.

My work integrates Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), motivational approaches, existential and humanistic therapies, brief solution-focused therapy, and other evidence-based practices to support meaningful, lasting change.

Yes, I'm licensed in the state of Texas.

It's very common to wonder this, especially when emotions, stress, relationships, or behaviors start feeling hard to manage.

Many people search for answers because they want to understand why they feel the way they do. While online information and social media can sometimes feel relatable, a real diagnosis is much more thoughtful than matching symptoms to a label.

Pop culture has made mental health conversations more accessible, which can help reduce stigma. At the same time, short videos and self-diagnosis trends can oversimplify complex experiences or make normal emotional struggles seem like a specific disorder.

Feeling distracted doesn't automatically mean ADHD. Mood swings don't always mean bipolar disorder. Emotional shutdown after stress can be connected to burnout or trauma rather than a personality disorder.

In therapy, we look at the full picture: what you've been experiencing, how long it's been happening, how it affects your daily life, your stressors, relationships, history, and environment, and the patterns in your thoughts, emotions, and behaviors.

Sometimes what feels like a "disorder" is actually a response to stress, trauma, grief, life transitions, or experiences that haven't been fully processed.

A diagnosis is never meant to define you. When appropriate, it can guide treatment, increase understanding, and identify support that helps you feel better.

If you've been asking yourself this question, therapy can be a space to explore it without judgment, pressure, or the need to fit yourself into a label.

Honesty and trust are at the core of the therapeutic relationship. My role is not to mislead clients or tell them things that aren't true.

At the same time, therapy requires thoughtfulness, timing, and sensitivity. There are moments when I slow a conversation down, challenge a client gently, or avoid overwhelming someone with too much at once. That's different from intentionally lying.

Therapy works best when clients feel emotionally safe, respected, and able to trust that their therapist is being genuine with them. My approach is grounded in transparency and compassion, and in creating a space where honest conversations can happen without judgment.

Established clients can request records by emailing drperez@diversebhgrouppllc.com.

You'll receive confirmation of your request within 72 business hours, with processing following thereafter.