Eli Padilla provides family counseling navigating trauma

photo of Eli Padilla, a smiling young woman who is of Mexican-American decent with long dark hair

Why I Became a Therapist

I’ve always loved listening to and learning more about people. I’m curious about how people make sense of their lived experiences and how their relationships and cultural context shape the way they see themselves and move through the world. I believe that there’s something deeply human about wanting to be heard and understood, and I’ve seen firsthand how powerful it can be to be truly seen by someone else.

My own journey in therapy showed me how healing it can be to tell your story out loud, and to explore parts that you hold close, you avoid, and those that you’re still trying to make sense of. That process helped me become more self-reflective, more compassionate with myself, and more aware of the ways my past informs who I am today. While it isn’t always easy, it can be so transformative.

Those experiences have led me here. I want to be someone who can help hold space for others as they explore their own stories, shift old patterns, and step into new ways of being. Whether our experiences are similar or completely different, I approach this work with curiosity, care, and the belief that each person’s unique perspective matters.

I aim to offer a space that honors your story, your culture, and your pace. A space where healing isn’t rushed and care is grounded in awareness of both individual and collective experiences.

Now offering evening & weekend appointments in Las Colinas near DFW airport. Click here to schedule an appointment.

Who I am and How I Practice

I am a first-generation Mexican-American, born in Chicago and raised in Waco, TX. I received my Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of Dallas and am currently pursuing my Master of Arts in Counseling at Northwestern University. As a daughter of immigrants, I carry

with me a deep appreciation for the ways culture, identity, and environment shape who we are and how we cope.

In my practice, I aim to hold space that is welcoming, inclusive, and attuned to your unique context. I take a psychodynamic and trauma-informed approach, meaning I pay attention to the deep layers of your experiences, both past and present, and how they may show up in patterns you’re living in today. I also draw from Internal Family Systems (IFS) and narrative therapy, working with you to build insight, explore emotional complexities, and strengthen your connection to parts of yourself that may feel misunderstood or disconnected.

To me, therapy is a collaborative process rooted in trust and mutual respect. I strive to understand your story as fully as possible, not to “fix” you, but to support you in making sense of your inner and outer world, uncovering what healing and growth look like for you. My role is to meet you where you are, hold what feels heavy, and help create a space where your voice can take up more room.

Areas of Particular Expertise

I welcome clients of all ages and backgrounds, and I bring a special focus to working with adults navigating trauma, identity, and life transitions. I am particularly passionate about supporting immigrants, children of immigrants, people of color, and LGBTQ+ individuals, and people who may feel caught between multiple worlds or carrying unspoken stories. My goal is to offer care that is culturally responsive, affirming, and grounded in the complexity of each person’s lived experience.

NOW OFFERING SLIDING SCALE FEES IN LAS COLINAS

Low cost counseling fees

Diagnostic Assessment (first appointment) 90 minute $75

55 minute session $60

90 minute Session $90

2 hour Session $120

Evening and weekend appointments available in Las Colinas, near Dallas, TX.

Sliding Scale Fees with Kristina may be as low as $15 a session.

*Must provide income information for reduced fee options

Credentials

Professional Counselor Intern

Graduate Student at Northwestern University
Supervised by Anna Thomison, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist Supervisor in the state of Texas. License # 201222