Esther Heffler

When stress and emotional overwhelm build up, it can feel like you’re slowly losing yourself. I’m Esther, a Licensed Professional Counselor, and I have a passion for working with young adults who carry a lot on their shoulders.
I carry the lived experience of being a first-generation Latina college student of mixed heritage. I understand the emotional complexity of balancing cultural values, family expectations, and personal growth, and how isolating or overwhelming that process can feel at times. This perspective allows me to connect deeply with the unique strengths, resilience, and challenges that come with belonging to multiple worlds and sometimes feeling torn between them.
My therapeutic style is grounded in authenticity— I show up as myself, using warmth, humor, and directness to help you explore the parts of your life that feel heavy, complicated, or stuck. My goal is to provide clients the space where their vulnerability is honored, so that their own sense of authenticity can flourish.

I specialize in anxiety, depression, life transitions, relationship struggles, identity concerns, trauma, cultural and family expectations, and perfectionism. I earned both my Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and my Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from The University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA), where my training was grounded in culturally responsive, trauma-informed, and person-centered care. I use a blend of therapeutic approaches tailored to each client, mostly drawing from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Reality Therapy, Solution Focused Therapy, and Narrative Therapy.

Choosing a therapist is a personal decision, and feeling a sense of connection matters. I offer a 15-minute consultation as a way for us to talk about what you’re hoping for, answer any questions you may have, and see if my approach feels like the right fit for you.

If you’re ready to explore your story in a meaningful and empowering way, I’d be honored to walk with you through that process.