Today we’d like to introduce you to Raquel Pereira.
Hi Raquel, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today.
My journey toward becoming a therapist began back in high school. I took a psychology class and absolutely fell in love. I knew I wanted to work in the field in some capacity. I started out involved in research, where I spent several years as a research assistant, lab manager, and project coordinator for research studies. While that work was undoubtedly interesting, I found that interacting with the participants was the most rewarding part of that experience. I started to explore therapy as a profession and quickly decided to make a shift and focus on becoming a therapist. I’ve always been interested in relationships and s*xuality, so once I chose my path, it was a natural progression to become a marriage and family therapist and s*x therapist.
I received my bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of Houston and my master’s degree in Family Therapy from the University of Houston – Clear Lake. I am a licensed marriage and family therapist and certified s*x therapist candidate. I also own a private practice – Connected Minds Counseling – specializing in relationships and s*x therapy. I’m passionate about this work! Walking alongside couples and individuals as they journey toward sustainable and satisfying lives and relationships is truly a privilege.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
I have been so fortunate to have a fantastic support system throughout my journey. My parents and sister were pillars of support and encouragement throughout my education, the licensing process, and as I navigated building my business. My sweet husband has also been pivotal in my journey. He has been by my side, celebrating my successes and supporting me through the more challenging seasons. My support system continues to encourage my dreams and aspirations, and I couldn’t imagine doing it without them.
While my journey has been relatively smooth, making progress is rarely linear. It’s natural to take a few steps forward, a few more back, a few to the side, and a few forward again. My journey is no exception. I experienced a challenging season in 2020, right at the pandemic’s start. I had just completed my graduate program and was eager to take my licensure exam. We were collectively experiencing the uncertainty that comes with life moving on while halting simultaneously. The world effectively shutting down meant putting that next step in my career on hold. Testing centers were closed for the better part of a year, and there wasn’t much to do other than practice patience and use that time to continue training and learning to better myself as a clinician. I often encourage my clients to sit in the discomfort and look for opportunities for growth. This was definitely a time when I put that into practice myself.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next, you can tell us a bit more about your business.
My private practice, Connected Minds Counseling, specializes in relationships and s*x therapy. My services include couples therapy, individual therapy, s*x therapy, and premarital counseling. I offer in-office and virtual sessions. I also offer a nine-session private premarital program for couples preparing for marriage to identify and address areas of importance and potential conflict.
Before we go, is there anything else you can share with us?
Being vulnerable can be difficult, and taking the step to seek therapy isn’t always easy. I like to think that reaching out to schedule an appointment and walking through the door are already two significant steps in your journey toward health and happiness. I take pride in creating a space free of judgment so that you can feel safe exploring your challenges and strengths with authenticity. My goal is to empower you to explore your challenges, needs, and desires so you can position yourself to live the life you want and deserve.
Pricing:
- $150/hour
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.connectedmindscounseling.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/connectedmindscounseling/
