Emilio Gonzalez, Jr.

Life has a way of testing our resilience. Even the strongest among us face seasons when stress, loss, or conflict can feel overwhelming. In those moments, having someone to truly listen and offer perspective can make all the difference. My mission as a counselor is to walk with adolescents and adults through those difficult times, helping them regain balance and find the clarity they need to move forward.

I’ve spent more than 20 years working as both an elementary and high school counselor, and I’ve also worked with adults in an outpatient hospital setting. Over the years, I’ve helped children, teens, and adults face challenges like stress, anxiety, depression, relationship struggles, and low self-confidence. My counseling style is rooted in cognitive-behavioral therapy, with a strong belief in the connection between thoughts and feelings—but I also recognize that we can only do the deeper work when we feel safe and emotionally ready. I often draw from Existential Therapy, Positive Psychology, and Solution-Focused Therapy to give clients practical strategies and renewed hope.

I was born and raised in Laredo, Texas, and moved to Austin to study art before relocating to Houston in the early 1990s. Alongside my work as a counselor, I’ve spent 27 years as a bilingual/ESL teacher, art teacher, and school counselor. My background in art continues to shape how I see the world—I believe creativity can be a powerful way to process emotions and understand ourselves more deeply.

At home, I’ve been married to my wonderful wife for over 25 years, and together we’ve built a family that includes three children and five grandchildren. When I’m not counseling, I’m often creating artwork, spending time with family, or diving into research on Positive Psychology to keep growing both personally and professionally.

I hold a B.A. and B.F.A. from the University of Texas at Austin and a Master’s in Counseling from Sam Houston State University.

Areas of Focus
Stress | Anxiety | Depression | Relationships | Anger

Insurances Accepted:
Cigna, Aetna, Magellan, Optum, United