Gloria Smith, MA, LPC, LMFT...
Legacy Valley Counseling shares its name with our Legacy Valley Ranch in the Texas Hill Country. The buffalo is our counseling symbol and since we raise buffalo on the ranch, we know they are animals of enormous strength and courage. Our symbol reminds us of everyone’s potential for growth in courage and strength of character through counseling.I am a cognitive behaviorist. My style of talk therapy is based on the belief that how we think and what we believe guides our actions and shapes our feelings. Therapy brings insights that can help us better understand ourselves and the people we love.
Individuals...
You may come to my office with various concerns in your life that involve your emotional health, career concerns or relationship/family problems. It gives me the opportunity to quickly get to know you and focus exclusive attention on the troubling part of your life.
I work daily with the feelings of stress, anxiety and depression that seem to be the unpleasant disrupters that threaten the well being and joy we want to feel. Your emotional discomfort and pain certainly limit the quality of life and need to be addressed in a way that brings relief and resolution.
I understand that some issues are difficult to acknowledge and discuss. Please know that sensitive topics are received in a nonjudgmental manner and handled with discretion. Sexuality and addiction problems are routine topics in my office.
You are encouraged to trust the confidentiality and safety that I offer you. This allows you to share information and receive feedback that will bring insight and understanding to your problem area. Our teamwork is what creates the potential for a feeling and thinking change that leads to healing.
Relationships...
Relationship Counseling is a highlight of my daily counseling experience. I feel privileged to join with you to hear your very personal hurts and pains around disappointments and unmet expectations in your relationship.
I know that many times you would do most anything to make things go right with your partner, but you've tried and the marriage/relationship is still not what you want. You may be quite discouraged about all the trying when your feelings aren't heard and your needs aren't met. Too much fighting and not enough fun may be your situation.
This dissatisfaction with your marriage or relationship may have brought you to the place of wondering if you should keep on trying to fix your problems or be done with it and get on with your life.
Romantic and sexual relationships are difficult to maintain because of our level of vulnerability and investment. Of course when the relationship is good you revel in the attention, affection, closeness, comfort and support.
We can do an evaluation process that will bring some clarity to your situation. Together we explore possibilities and options. Perhaps we can figure out the formula for change. I suggest you try the counseling experience!
Families...
Legacy Valley is a family-friendly counseling center. We enjoy interaction with children, adolescents, and adults. Parents are always an integral part of all therapy.
We would like for our family therapy to improve understanding, strengthen bonds, and increase cooperation between family members.
We hear children’s concerns and fears. We listen to teenagers to find out what is important to them and what they want from their parents. We address disruptive or objectionable behavior, and facilitate dialogue among children, adolescents, and parents.
Common goals may include improving understanding between parents with differing parenting styles or between parents and adolescents concerning problematic behaviors. Another goal might involve addressing the conflict between siblings and how they share their space and possessions.
School issues are often a subject for family therapy. Academic performance or relationships with peers and teachers are most frequently the cause for concern. Hopefully, the family therapist, parents, and child or adolescent can address the concern together and create options for resolving the problems. It is not uncommon for the family therapist to speak with a teacher, principal, or school counselor to get a more complete picture of the situation and facilitate dialogue between the family and the school.
The family therapist may suggest additional resource people for help with more serious problems. This need would be mutually determined by the therapist and the parents.
ADHD testing can be given in our counseling session and the results taken by the parent to the family pediatrician or a psychiatrist for further evaluation.
We want you to know that Legacy Valley Counseling is committed to the well-being of families and will assist you in any way that is possible.
The following is a link which will provide you with the client forms in a PDF format. You can print these out, complete them at your convenience and bring the completed forms with you to your first appointment. The HIPAA Form is only for your information, it is not necessary to print and bring with you to your appointment. All couples please fill out the client forms, one for each person as well as the "couples form". If any information may need to be released to doctors or other parties, please print out a Release of Info Form so it can be part of your file.
Client Forms
Release of Info Form
Couples Form