My name is Ginka Vasileva, and I am a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in Texas. I have been practicing since 2017 and have extensive experience in working with families, couples, and adolescents. I have helped numerous adolescents with dual diagnosis and substance use. I also enjoy working with couples and families who struggle with communication and emotion regulation skills. I provide services in English, Spanish, and Bulgarian.
My approach
I work primarily with a postmodern approach where the client and the therapist work alongside in discovering best practices for achieving the client's goals. Some of the modalities I employ are collaborative practices, narrative therapy, solution-focused therapy, and motivational interviewing. In my work with couples, I work with emotionally-focused therapy and Gottman's approach to couple's therapy.
My focus
I enjoy working with all clients, and I believe therapeutic alliance is very important. Clients who have been particularly happy with my help are high-functioning adolescents and young adults who go through transitional moments in life or struggle with dual diagnosis.
My communication style
I communicate in a calm manner, and I like to ask thought-provoking questions. I challenge my clients and provide feedback when needed. I do not give advice but rather guidance in self-discovery.
My journey to mental healthcare
My decision to become a therapist was gradual. I had been working with adolescents for ten years before I decided to further my education in order to understand those "little humans" better. I had been in education, and I felt unprepared to understand the human psyche. After completing my Marriage and Family Therapy degree, I knew I had pursued the right path. Being a therapist is not a career for me. It is a way of life.
My goals for you
I do not create goals for my clients, they do. My only goal is to provide value through guidance. I like to engage my clients in goal-oriented discussions. Clients end up establishing their own goals.
My first session with you
The first session with my clients is just slightly different from any other session. This is the time when I like to gather history and information about recurrent issues that may have triggered the need for help. I am a marriage and family therapist, so I like to see a complete picture through family systems and different relationships. I also like to help the client come up with a goal for their sessions since the very first time we meet.