As long as I can remember I have been interested in psychology and nature of human beings. I was looking for answers to questions about what makes people “work” and how we can change and improve our lives. Partially, my quest was inspired by the realization that I was absolutely miserable, depressed and lonely when I was in my twenties. That realization kick-started my journey toward figuring out how to make my life better.
During that process, I’ve investigated many different approaches and schools of thought, participated in dozens of workshops, seminars, trainings; I’ve experienced numerous teachers and teachings; I’ve read hundreds of books. Eventually, I found out that what I was looking for all along were love and happiness. This paved the way toward building my life in a way that was deeply satisfying. At some point in this long journey I realized that I have so much to give that I decided to become a psychotherapist.
I went back to school and graduated in 2010 with a Masters degree in Counseling with the emphasis in Marriage and Family therapy and I’ve been seeing clients since 2008. During this period I’ve accumulated thousands of hours of work with couples and families, victims of domestic violence, substance abusers and everything in between.
In addition to my professional experience, I also bring with me more than 30 years of personal growth and development. I’ve learned a lot along the way. Mainly about those things that are universal to most human beings. We all have much in common, probably more than we realize. We all experience pain and have a potential to be happy. We all want to be loved, cherished and accepted. And that knowledge helps me to be understanding, compassionate, non-judgmental and effective. People tell me that I am wise, warm, funny and accepting.
I love what I do and I love working with people. I love watching people grow and reach for their dreams – especially when their dreams come true. This is what makes my heart sing! I love working with couples and families because family is where it all starts. And when couples and families do well – everybody else around them does well too.
Currently, I am licensed in the state of Texas as a Marriage and Family Therapist (license #202591)
On a more personal note, I have been married for more than 25 years, together we raised two beautiful daughters, who are now adults. In my spare time I like to read, do something artistic, go places and explore life with all it has to offer.
In Press and in Media:
Interview with All Business Media FM: Click Here
Interview for online newspaper Voyage Houston.
Education and Professional Development
Various Professional training and workshops – ONGOING
Internal Family Systems (IFS) Level 2 training – October 2022
Internal Family Systems (IFS) intensive training – October 2021
The Relational Brain with Terry Real and Juliane Taylor Shore (Neurobiology of Relationsihp) – 2020
Pragmatic/Experiential Therapy (PEX) with Brent Atkinson – 2018
TAMFT Professional Conference – 2015
Evolution of Psychotherapy Conference – 2013
Systemic Family Constellation Facilitator Training with emphasis on trauma work, attachment issues and somatic approaches (multiple teachers, trainings and conferences) – 2009-2017
Trauma Training with Babette Rothschild (the author of Body Remembers) – 2012-2013
Gestalt Training – Gestalt Associates Training, Los Angeles – 2012-2013
Domestic Violence Counselor Certification – 2008
California State University, Northridge – 2007-2010
Masters of Science in Counseling with emphasis in Marriage and Family Therapy
Baltic State University, Saint-Petersburg, Russia
Masters of Science in Mechanical Engineeering
Some of the treatment modalities that I utilize in my work:
Humanistic Psychotherapy
Existential Psychotherapy
Gestalt
Systemic Family Constellations
Systemic Family Psychotherapies
Mindfulness Therapy
Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT)
Solution-Focused Brief Psychotherapy (SFBT)
Attachment-Based Psychotherapy
Emotion-Focused Therapy (EFT)
Interpersonal Neurobiology (IPNB)
Holodynamics
Neuro-Linguistic Programming
Body-Oriented Psychotherapy
Somatic Psychology
Internal Family Systems (IFS)
I am a member of:
American Association of Marriage and Family Therapists (AAMFT)
Houston Association of Marriage and Family Therapists (HAMFT)
You can also find me on Psychology Today.
Galina Thomas is listed at AllTherapist.com