Life can feel like a lot sometimes. You often feel overwhelmed by everything—school stress, friend drama, anxiety, or what’s next after high school or college.
You’ve been to therapy before and didn’t click with your therapist, or maybe this is your first time giving it a shot. Either way, I want you to know that this space is yours. No judgment, no lectures—just a real conversation with someone who gets it and has the skills to help you heal from trauma, navigate big life changes, and work through whatever comes up along the way.
Hi, I’m Leslie Varela—your guide when life feels tough and you need someone in your corner.
I work with teens and young adults who have experienced trauma or often feel overwhelmed by life. If you want to heal, feel more confident, and truly like yourself, I’m here to help.
People often think trauma is just one big, life-altering event, like losing a loved one or experiencing abuse. But trauma can also come from things that seem smaller, like a mom who wasn’t around much when you needed her.
It can also be something ongoing that wears you down, like struggling in school while everyone else seems to have it all figured out. Sometimes, trauma is the little things we’ve learned to endure without realizing their impact.
Whatever you’re facing, I’m here to help you with compassionate guidance, tangible skills, and a dose of humor when we need it.
Before we work together, you should know I never thought I’d be a therapist. Seriously, it wasn’t on my radar at all. I never imagined that me, a big softy, would be good at therapy. I used to be one of those people who didn’t really believe in mental health and thought it was all made up.
That changed when my brother was diagnosed with depression and ADHD while I was studying to become a pharmacist. While a part of me thought he was just being “lazy,” I decided to enroll in a psychology class since it was available at my college. Within the first few weeks, everything started to click—I understood mental health was real and played a bigger role in our lives than I gave it credit for. I switched my major to psychology, dove headfirst into the therapy field, and never looked back.
Now, I help teens and young adults navigate life’s challenges, from anxiety and social struggles to trauma and big life transitions. As someone who’s experienced childhood trauma myself, I know how important it is to have someone in your corner who truly gets it and can help you move through it.
Most of my clients report that therapy with me doesn’t always feel like ‘work’—it’s more like talking to a big sister or a chill aunt who listens, gives great advice, and won’t spill every detail to your parents.
I always start by building trust with you, which can take as long as you need to feel safe with me. Then, we work on coping skills so you’re ready when/if things get heavy.
When (and only when) you want to explore anything deeper, we can process and heal your trauma. I won’t go towards the hard stuff until I know you won’t be overwhelmed by it.
Mostly, I meet you where you are, without pressure or judgment.
- Master of Science in Counseling
- Licensed Professional Counselor Associate
- Supervised by Dr. Shirin Khosravi, LPC-S
- Virtual & In-Person
- 2717 Commercial Center Blvd, Suite E200, Katy, TX 77494
Monday - Friday 10 AM - 6 PM
$150 for a 50-minute session
- Internal Family Systems (IFS)
- Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT)
- Somatic Experiencing (SE)
As a teen or young adult, the right fit is essential for you to get the most from therapy. Parents, you also need to know this, too!
I know how much you want to support your teen or child and give them a private space to process things. Please know that I prioritize their privacy and keep you in the loop in a way that helps them, not hinders them.
Every few months, I’m happy to check in with you to share general progress and offer guidance on how to strengthen your relationship with your teen or child. My goal is to support them in this moment and build the skills to communicate with you in a way that strengthens your bond for years to come. This can take time, and your patience and openness to their process can make all the difference.
Personally, I’m a mom to a wonderful daughter, Zara. My parents are a huge part of her and our life because I believe it takes a community to raise children, and I want to be part of that community for your child, too.
As a bicultural therapist who grew up in a Hispanic/Latino household, I totally get what it’s like to navigate two cultures at once. If you were raised in a Spanish-speaking home but feel more comfortable in English now, I understand that experience completely. We can mix Spanish and English in our sessions—whatever feels most natural for you!
If Spanish feels easier for you to speak, go for it! I’ll understand you completely. No need to translate if the words don’t quite click in English. I’ll probably reply in English, but I promise I’ll get what you’re saying. Let’s do therapy in a language that feels most natural for you.
I know opening up to someone new can feel like a lot, but I’m here for it all. The highs, the lows, and the in-between moments—bring it on! I absolutely love being a therapist for teens and young adults like you, and I wouldn’t trade it for anything.
Laughing and crying in the same session? Totally normal. It happens all the time, and honestly, it’s a sign we are doing great work together.
My job is to help you carry the tough stuff, but don’t worry—I know how to hold space for your pain without taking it home with me. This is your time, your space. You don’t have to take care of me
In therapy, I’ll help you feel safe, understood, and supported as you work through whatever’s on your mind. We’ll laugh, we’ll have deep talks—but you won’t have to go through it alone.
Let’s have a chat to see if I can help you feel better about yourself, handle life’s stressors, and heal any trauma that’s holding you back.