Meet Kelly Ayala of The Branch Counseling in Farmers Branch

Kelly, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
You know that friend that everyone tells their secrets too? That friend that everyone shares their problems with? You know the one. Well, that’s where my story starts.

I think it may be hereditary because I used to watch my grandmother do the same. Visiting as a kid she would always have a friend, sister/brother (there were lots of them), or cousin (there were lots of them too) over to talk at her avocado green kitchen table. I would hide around the corner, curious as they would speak in Spanish. I never knew exactly what they were saying but I could feel and observe her listen, console and coach them through whatever issue was brought to the table.

One day in High School I was driving to my job and had this vision clear as day, I was going to be a therapist. It was so clear I could feel the sensations of ease and calm run through my whole body. Unfortunately, that was only momentary as my struggles with self-worth quickly reminded me that I wasn’t smart enough. This was the first time I was in denial of my true self.

After High School, I found myself in Business school, yep Business school. I THOUGHT Business school was what was going to make me happy (AKA the most $$$$ according to my parents). I struggled through and found myself sad, unfulfilled and disconnected. This turned out to be the second time I was in denial of my true self.

At 24, I couldn’t imagine myself feeling this way the rest of my life. I knew something wasn’t working and I had to do something quick. I decided to go back to school, but this time I paid attention to my FEELINGS and what felt right was to study Marriage and Family Therapy. There would be no more denial.

Then thriving happened. I began working counseling clients as an intern at Cancer Care Services in Fort Worth, Texas. After my internship, I moved to Sundance Behavioral Hospital in Fort Worth working with teens struggling with depression, anxiety and mood disorders. I enjoyed my time working with teens and watching them strengthen their sense of self. This gave me the confidence I needed to enter the world of private practice. I began seeing clients Individually at CCA North Texas in McKinney. At CCA I not only worked with teens but their families bridging the gap of family communication. After 7 years I once again sensed a FEELING and this time it was telling me I was ready to start my very own practice. In 2016 I opened The Branch Counseling PLLC where we work with teens, young adults and adults navigate life utilizing Neuroscience and Wellness approaches.

Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It was August, graduate school just started and I was having a BLAST! I seriously never knew school could be so interesting. You know, it really makes a difference when you are studying material that you actually enjoy, unlike math (numbers don’t have feelings). It was my first semester, my grades were on point and I finally began to feel like I fit in somewhere.

During Fall break, my parents invited me on a trip to Mexico, their favorite destination. At this point in my life, my parents were becoming my best friends. I enjoyed their company and they were respecting me as an adult. During our trip, my mom became lethargic and just not herself. She started spending lots of time in the room and one night never came out for dinner.

When we came back home she was complaining of back pain and appeared jaundice and began to cough up blood. In January of 2007, she was diagnosed with stage IV pancreatic cancer. The news was devastating. So many things ran through my mind: how could this happen to our family, she is so young, I am so young, will she be there for my wedding and children?

It was tough. She became very ill very fast, as if one day she was my strength and the next my dad, sister and I were hers. She died six months later, in the midst of my third semester. I was 24 and felt numb, orphaned and stale. Sadness didn’t hit me until the shock wore off, this was grief.

The good thing about being in a counseling program is that you are surrounded by therapists. Everyone was so understanding and supportive, but I remember feeling disengaged and just not caring anymore about school. I sought out group counseling for young adults at The Warm Place in Fort Worth and I also had a very special professors guidance. Dr. Don Spinks was a voice of reason in my internal chaos. He encouraged me to take just one class. His comfort in my dark time was a beacon of hope. What made him so special was that he had this finesse of providing comfort in a way that kept me moving through my grief. He showed me what empathy was. Sadly he also passed away 6 months after that.

The Branch Counseling – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
What kind of Counseling Therapist/Wellness provider do you want? One that likes helping people, or one that likes helping people and is curious and excited about the brain and how to help people heal. My point here is that The Branch Counseling PLLC was built out of personal passion. This is not just a Counseling practice but a Counseling Practice aimed at building better brains and bodies.

What sets us apart from other Counseling Therapy practices is three things. First, we are a boutique practice providing personalized service in an enriched environment and treat each client with importance and value. Between services, we follow up with our clients to encourage them and assist with bumps in the road.

Second, our Counseling Therapy approaches are scientific and based on the Neuroscience model of the brain. As a member of the International Association of Clinical Neuropsychotherapy, I stay up to date on the latest finding in neuroscience to best assist my clients. Establishing safety and connection is my number one priority and then together we engage and build new neural pathways toward thriving. Traditional Cognitive Behavioral Therapies address thinking first, top of the brain down, and can sometimes result in anxiety and avoidance to therapy. We work the way the brain works from the bottom up, sensing, safety, then thinking.
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Third, we offer more than just Counseling Therapy Services. The Branch Counseling PLLC is focused on total wellness brain, mind, and body. Used in conjunction with Counseling Therapy or as a stand-alone service we offer Mindfulness, Reiki and Sound Healing sessions. These services are attributed with improved sense of self, relaxation, and are even known to decrease physical pain. Cory Roy Reiki Master and Teacher has been practicing Reiki wellness technique all his life and became certified in 2015. Cory provides Reiki and Sound Healing sessions at The Branch Counseling PLLC.

What has been the proudest moment of your career so far?
There are 3 great honors in my life that make up my proudest moments.

1. Committing my love to my husband: There is something frightening and magical that happens when you allow yourself to be vulnerable with your love and receive someone’s love. To me, it is one of the kindest things we can do for ourselves.

2. Compassion is about the good and not so good. I am honored and proud to be a part of my mom’s life transition. I have reflected upon this moment in my life and realized that to be invited into the moments leading to death means that person looks to you as a symbol of love, compassion, and safety. This was her last earthy gift/lesson she gave me.

Lastly,

3. It is an honor to be invited into my client’s life. They choose me. They invite me into there most difficult moments, darkest secrets, deepest of pains. They choose me to treat them kindly and provide them with safety and a framework for healing and growth.

It is because of these honors that every connection I make with the people that walk through the door at The Branch Counseling PLLC is my proudest moment.

Pricing:

• $135/50 min Individual Counseling Neuropsychotheray with Kelly Ayala LPC-S
• $135/50 min Mindfulness Therapy with Kelly Ayala LPC-S
• $90/50 min Reiki with Cory Roy
• $90/50 min Sound Healing with Cory Roy

Contact Info:

• Address: 4099 McEwen Rd. Ste 780
  Farmers Branch, Texas 75244
• Website: www.thebranchcounseling.com
• Phone:(972) 591-7915
• Email: kelly@thebranchcounseling.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thebranchcounselingpllc/?hl=en
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thebranchcounseling/

Image Credit:
Misty Juanita Smith

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