Hedwig Gavino, LPC Associate

Everyone has their own unique story, their own ups and downs, their own how’s and why’s. For me, counseling is a space where you and I can work together to understand all of these seemingly confusing and complicated pieces. You will be heard and listened to. After all, I am not here as an expert who will 'fix' you. Instead, I am here to offer a safe and supportive space where we can work alongside together as you heal and face life’s challenges.

I integrate Acceptance Commitment Therapy (ACT), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Somatic-based Therapy, and Internal Family Systems (IFS) to help my patients bring more emotional awareness within their internal world and eventually create healthy changes in the external world. This process is hardly easy and with time, I believe we can create a safe environment where we can process emotions, work on attainable goals, and develop problem solving techniques and coping strategies that best match your strengths and level of comfort. Simply put, we will figure out what works best for you together.

Patients appreciate my ability to point out emotions or interesting body language during sessions, leading us to curiosity and deeper understanding of their emotions. My patients have mentioned being able to meet and understand parts of themselves they were not aware of in the first place. Basically, deeper self-understanding and self-compassion. These usually then help improve their ability to regulate emotions, quiet negative self-talk and anxieties, and develop healthier relationships with others. Some of my patients find my age and my lived experience as a queer immigrant comforting as it relates to their backgrounds.

I was born and raised in the Philippines. My family and I immigrated to Texas when I was 12 years old and have lived here ever since. Though I have found a place to call home in Texas, I am still and will always be a Filipino at heart. I visit my family back home whenever I can. Throughout my life, I have seen and experienced the different multicultural struggles that immigrants can face while trying to adjust and simultaneously live within two cultures. These experiences fueled my desire to help others who may have been in my position years ago. As an immigrant woman of color, I am passionately committed to welcome and affirm individuals of any race/ethnicity, gender, and sexual orientation in my practice. When not studying or working, I enjoy hiking, playing the guitar, making coffee, cuddling with my dog and cat, gaming, and spending time with family and friends.