Today we’d like to introduce you to LAURA CINTRON.
Hi LAURA, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
My journey toward becoming a therapist began right after earning my bachelor’s degree. I immediately had to pursue a master’s—mostly because my dad had high expectations for me. So, I enrolled in a master’s program in Psychology. Very quickly, I realized the program’s research focus didn’t align with what I truly wanted. I wanted to help people become happier, more successful, and confident in their own paths—not spend my time conducting research.
After taking a semester off, I discovered the Counseling Program. Early on, I met a friend who introduced me to School Counseling. It was completely different from what I thought a school counselor did, and it piqued my interest. I decided to pursue a dual master’s in School Counseling and Community Counseling—the only difference between the two was 12 credits, so I thought, “Why not?”
During my practicum, I split my time between an elementary school and a high school. I immediately fell in love with the elementary level. I was fortunate to have two incredible mentors, Nicole Cleveland and Maggie Brehm, who took me under their wing and taught me everything they knew. Their guidance is something I’ll always be grateful for.
To become a school counselor, I first needed to be a teacher. I completed my alternative certification, taught for three years, and then officially began my career in school counseling. I worked in that role for about ten years and truly believed I would retire as a school counselor.
But life had other plans. In 2019, we moved to Houston to pursue a different opportunity, which ultimately didn’t work out. I began working at a community mental health agency and loved the flexibility, independence, and ability to create my own schedule. I was doing work I genuinely enjoyed—but financially, it wasn’t sustainable.
I returned to school counseling in Houston, quickly learning that every district implements the program differently. The model here was very different from the one I had known and practiced in San Antonio. Eventually, I decided to work part-time at a private practice to gain experience and compare what I knew with what was possible. I worked at the school during the day, then three evenings a week and Saturday mornings at the practice.
In February 2020, my mother was suddenly diagnosed with brain cancer and passed away shortly after. Losing her so unexpectedly reshaped everything for me. My mother was the most loving, compassionate, and unconditionally supportive person anyone could meet. Her passing grounded me in my purpose as a mother, wife, therapist, and human being. It reminded me just how short life is—and that only I can choose to be happy and fully present in my life.
Then, in March 2020, the world shut down. While many saw that period as a curse, I saw it as a blessing. I cherished every moment with my husband and children. During that time, as so many people sought support, I was able to build my client base and slowly grow my practice. On my birthday in 2020, I resigned from the school district and took the leap into full-time private practice.
Private practice comes with unpredictability—its ups and downs—but it has given me something priceless: the ability to be present for my kids. I don’t need permission to go to a field day, a volleyball game, or a basketball game. I’ve built my schedule and my life in a way that balances work and family, as much as possible.
On November 11, 2021, Balev Counseling and Wellness opened its doors, and I saw my very first client in our new space.
Alright, 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?
I can’t say the journey has been completely smooth—because it hasn’t—but I am incredibly grateful for the genuine people I’ve had around me. They have loved me, supported me, and truly wanted to see me flourish. Many of them are experts in their own fields and generously shared their knowledge and guidance as I navigated the process of opening my practice. I had colleagues who walked me through the endless checklists and details that needed to be handled.
And then there’s my husband—my biggest supporter. Every idea I’ve ever had, he has encouraged. Even when something sounded a little crazy, if it mattered to me, he always told me to go for it and together we would find a way to make it happen.
One of the biggest struggles has been wearing all the hats: CEO, web manager, social media and content creator, maintenance person, therapist, manager, HIIT instructor, yoga teacher, and boss. When everything falls on you—and on my husband, who has been by my side through it all—it can feel overwhelming. When success depends entirely on you, and so does failure, the weight of that responsibility becomes very real.
Another challenge has been the loss of daily social connection. In the schools, I had a team of colleagues I could talk to, share personal stories with, and simply connect as people. In private practice, I don’t have that. My clients cannot fill that space, and that shift was difficult to adjust to.
As you know, we’re big fans of BALEV COUNSELING AND WELLNESS. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
We, at BALEV, strive to assist clients enhance their quality of life and achieve their full potential by leading a Balanced lifestyle while guiding them to understand the need to continuously Evolve in order to become the best version of themselves.
Our purpose is to guide You through your healing journey and self-discovery process, equip you with knowledge and skills to cope with daily challenges, instill in you the importance of self-love as well as the benefits of leading a balanced lifestyle…
Mind, Body and Soul
We have built a team of coaches, counselors, and therapists who all believe deeply in holistic wellness—the idea that the body, mind, and soul are interconnected and cannot function independently of one another. Each clinician or coach brings their own expertise, whether it’s working with children, adults, teens, families, couples, or individuals in the medical field. They each use different modalities based on what the client brings into the space, always prioritizing the client’s well-being and meeting them exactly where they are in their journey.
What I am most proud of is that our brand truly reflects what we believe in. The word Balev is a word we created by blending “balance” and “evolve.” It represents the idea that when you find balance, you create the foundation to evolve into a better version of yourself. That is exactly what we strive to support at BALEV. Every element of our brand carries meaning—from the colors, to the stacked stones, to the sunset imagery, to the affirmations on our walls. Everything is intentional and aligned with our purpose.
I want readers to know that BALEV is a safe space. Here, you hold the map, and we simply walk alongside you as guides. I also want people to know that we offer a wide range of interconnected services designed to enhance their overall well-being, including mental health therapy, walk-and-talk sessions, HIIT training, yoga, meditation classes, coaching, immigration evaluations, clinical supervision for LPC-As, pet assisted therapy and wellness services such as massage therapy and facials—all aimed at strengthening self-concept, mental and physical health.
What makes you happy?
Spending quality time with my family is what brings me the most happiness. Moments when we are all together—talking, laughing, being silly, and creating memories—are the moments I treasure. They are the people I love the most, and every second with them feels like a gift.
Seeing others reach their goals also makes me genuinely happy. I am one of those people who gets excited not just because someone accomplished something, but because I know there was a journey behind it. Everyone has a story, and most of the time, we don’t see the challenges, sacrifices, or motivation that pushed them forward.
For me, celebrating others isn’t about the achievement itself—it’s about honoring the hard work, the struggles, the late nights, the persistence, and the determination it took to get there. I know what it feels like to work tirelessly toward something and finally reach it. That feeling of pride and relief is powerful, and when I see others experience their own version of that, even complete strangers, it fills me with joy.
Pricing:
- INSURANCES: BCBS, UHC, AETNA
- PRIVATE PAY RATES STARTING AT $130
Contact Info:
- Website: https://balevcounselingandwellness.com
- Instagram: @BALEVCounselingandWellness
- Facebook: BALEVCounselingandWellness
- Other: https://www.choosetolivefoundation.org
