Victoria Cravens, LMHC, MCPC

Who I Am

A recent "Tex-pat", my background includes over ten years in the professional counseling & coaching realm, following over twenty years with a major energy firm where I worked primarily within finance.

Family, friends, and community involvement has been and remains an important part of my life. I have been fortunate to incorporate a strong academic and professional background, providing my clients the benefit of that experience.

I believe that every stage of life - good or bad - leads us to our next chapter in one way or another. When we take time to explore what has been helpful and what can be let go of, we are best equipped for that next chapter.

I am grateful for a strong network of professional associates who continue to enrich my knowledge and curiosity to learn more. It is in helping others to regain their balance, relish the adventure life can be, and embrace the importance of gratitude, compassion, hope, and joy - that I find my own.

Counseling Credentials

WA LMHC, license no. LH 61649973
EMDR trained and experienced
Certified in MBCT (Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy)
Previously (TX) licensed professional counselor, licensed chemical dependency counselor

Coaching Credentials

Certified Life Coaching Institute (CLCI), an ICF recommended training option
- Certified Professional Coach
- Master Certified Professional Coach

Academic

MA Counseling, Houston Graduate School of Theology
EMBA, University of Houston

Coaching vs Counseling

A comment we hear often is, ‘well, aren’t they the same?’ The answer is no; the focus and drivers are different. Counseling is most often dealing with issues from the past that continue to inform choices and otherwise interfere with our ability to maintain a healthy present.

Coaching is forward-focused, with goals that are totally client driven. One of the benefits of coaching is having someone we trust able to challenge us with the question, “What would it take to turn your, ‘ I will try…’ into ‘I will do…!’?”

Finding congruence through our choices

One of the most important areas of focus within coaching is recognizing how our choices – big or small – can have tremendous influence on our day to day lives and relationships. Our focus on relationships has to begin with ourselves. As it has been said,

‘a man cannot offer a drink of water from an empty cup.’

More FAQs

The Process

Step 1: Determine your focus

Successful outcomes begin with a clear focus.

Consider these questions to bring to your Discovery Session:

What is directing my attention right now?
Where am I now? Where do I want to be?
What are my core values?
Are my personal, professional, and family goals congruent?
Who would I like to be and who is holding me back?

Step 2: Make a Plan

We will decide the best approach:

Are you in need of counseling, or have you worked through any issues tied to the past, and ready to design your future?

Or is your company going through a change that you can see may cause some discomfort with your team, and a consultant coach would be beneficial to you and them?

In any case we will discuss your options.

"If nothing changes...nothing changes"

My Values

Confidentiality

My client's identity, relationship, and content of sessions are strictly confidential except in a situation where such confidentiality would violate the law, such as harm to self or others, and child or elder abuse. Those limitations will be specifically identified in your contract.

Creativity

Our brains process information in different ways; some of us are very logic-oriented, while others more free-thinking. We are most successful when we tap into these strengths with an open mind, and with curiosity without judgement.

Compassion

Life can create changes - good or bad - in an instant or over time; emotions can overflow; a professional relationship that engenders trust, kindness and compassion are the bulwark of any healthy relationship, and most especially in a counseling, coaching, or consulting relationship.

Acceptance

We come together from all walks of life and many different experiences. We are always at our very best when we engage each other with respect, consideration, and acceptance; with an open mind and heart.