Today we’d like to introduce you to Débora Spradling
Hi Débora, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
My journey to becoming a psychologist started with a deep passion for helping people feel seen, heard, and understood. I was born in Brasil and later moved to Texas, where I pursued my undergraduate studies in psychology at the University of Texas, and later earned my PhD in Counseling Psychology from Texas A&M. Throughout my education and early career, I always knew that I wanted to work in a field that centered around relationships, creating safe spaces for individuals and families. In my training I was able to work in so many different settings and I was invited into many different stories, and I quickly realized this is what I wanted to devote my life to.
Being an immigrant has shaped my perspective and motivated me to create warm, supportive environments where others, especially those in seasons of transition, can feel valued and empowered. From the start, my goal has been to provide warm, human-centered care that connects with clients on a personal level. Relationships are at the heart of my practice, and I find immense fulfillment in guiding people through their journeys, whether in therapy or as they navigate life’s challenges.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Along the way, there were definitely challenges that tested me. The pandemic, for instance, was a difficult time for both my personal life and my work. It forced me to adapt quickly to a virtual setting and find new ways to stay connected with clients and maintain a sense of stability in such an uncertain world. Personally, there were also significant life changes that added another layer of complexity—balancing personal growth and professional demands was no easy task.
Grad school itself was a major challenge, filled with long hours, tough coursework, and the emotional strain of being away from home while pursuing such a demanding path. But through it all, my purpose never wavered. I always knew that becoming a psychologist was what I was meant to do. Having a strong support system, including mentors, friends, and family, helped me navigate these struggles. Their encouragement and belief in my potential kept me moving forward, even when things felt overwhelming. My passion for helping others and creating safe, supportive spaces never faltered, and that purpose was the anchor that guided me through it all.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I am incredibly passionate about providing a safe space for others through empathy and unconditional positive regard. Therapy requires such a deep vulnerability, and I feel honored to enter those moments with my clients. There are few things more rewarding than watching others grow in their recognition of who they are and what they need.
My work tends to center around a few key concepts: personal identity, self-worth, and self-compassion. Together we explore the beliefs we hold about who we are and what makes us important. Through our sessions together, we work to become more aware – understanding our emotions in a way that allows us to have clarity around our deepest needs, and how to regulate our emotions, so we can regain control of how we feel.
By diving deeper into ourselves, we can grow to understand the narratives around the pain we might be holding. Only by gaining clarity around the “heart” of the issue can we make significant moves toward healing. I see it as a privilege to be invited into my clients’ stories, and I have loved getting to watch the powerful work we accomplish in the spaces we create together!
Pricing:
- I am deeply passionate about removing barriers to treatment, as I believe that everyone deserves access to compassionate, high-quality care, regardless of their financial situation. To help make therapy more accessible, I offer a sliding scale fee structure. This allows me to provide care to a broader range of people who may otherwise struggle to afford it. For me, it’s about creating a space where individuals can feel seen, heard, and supported without the added stress of financial burden, ultimately helping them heal and thrive.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://oakhousecounseling.com/about/
- Instagram: @dr.debora.spradling
- Other: (903) 326 -1011
Image Credits
Mary Fields Photography
