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Sylvia Luna, LPC, LCDC is an addiction therapist in San Antonio, TX specializing in addiction therapy and counseling. Sylvia Luna, LPC, LCDC is affiliated with BetterHelp.
“Hello and welcome! My name is Sylvia Luna and I am honored that you are considering my services. I am a Licensed Professional Counselor-Supervisor (LPC-S) and a Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor (LCDC) with three decades of dedicated experience within the mental health, substance abuse, and faith based communities. My experience is diverse, encompassing work with various populations in different professional settings, including the criminal justice system, Texas Department of Family Protective Services, in-patient and out-patient substance abuse treatment settings, Intimate Partner Violence, homelessness, and congregants of faith-based communities. Over the past 30 years, I have had the privilege of helping individuals, couples, and families navigate their mental health challenges and overcome substance abuse issues to achieve mental health wellness. Over the course of my career, I have provided supportive counseling, and worked as a clinical therapist spending 10 years focused on substance abuse and four years addressing mental health issues and other related issues. My goal is to foster a genuine therapeutic relationship with you and be transparent and direct with you. As your therapist, I am not perfect nor pretend to have all the answers, but am committed to challenge you to become the best version of yourself and be by your side when things get uncomfortable and challenging. My extensive background enables me to provide a comprehensive and empathetic approach to counseling. I aim to support you on your journey through life’s challenges, whether you are dealing with stress, low self-esteem, trauma, addictions, relationship problems, and issues related to Christian faith. My therapy approach and style are designed as a collaborative and experiential process, utilizing an eclectic therapy approach grounded in a humanistic and existential perspective. I incorporate a variety of therapeutic techniques, ensuring that the strategies I use are specifically tailored to meet your unique goals and needs. A priority is to meet you where you are, providing you support and guidance in a safe, nonjudgmental space to help achieve your goals and improve your quality of life. My goal is to assist you in learning and practicing effective strategies to increase your insight while discovering your authentic self, develop relational connections, and finding your purpose. My therapy style uses Eclectic (Integrative) Therapy with a Humanistic-Existential Therapy lens that also draws influence from Gestalt, Client Centered Therapy, Cognitive-Behavior Therapy (CBT), and Christian Counseling. Taking the first step towards therapy can be challenging, but it’s a crucial one for improving your wellbeing. I eagerly anticipate the opportunity to work with you and provide support during this journey. Let’s begin this process together to help you achieve your goals and enhance your quality of life. Just so you know, I am fluent in both English and Spanish, which allows me to assist you effectively in either language.”
Connect with this therapist via:
Online messaging - send messages throughout the day as you have time; relax and give yourself opportunity to fully ponder each step of the conversation
Video Visits - connect over video conferencing software for a virtual session -- almost as if you're there in person
Phone Visits - good old-fashioned technology for those who don't want to worry about appearance or who have might have internet bandwidth limitations; a little bit like connecting with an old friend, but with a counselor instead
Instant Message (IM) Visits - real-time chat -- like a phone call, but over text
Connecting with a therapist can be difficult. BetterHelp can help with that. They have an online network of licensed and accredited psychologists, marriage and family therapists, clinical social workers, and counselors. You can connect with their therapists via online video, phone, real-time chat, or asynchronous messaging. Easily switch therapists until you find one that fits you. Sign up through DocSpot for a discount on your first month's subscription.
Addictions
Addictions are chronic diseases of compulsive or uncontrollable behavior which may have adverse health effects. Addictions can include substance abuse (such as the abuse of opioids, alcohol, or prescription drugs) and certain non-drug related behaviors, such as gambling or video games. People with addictions may experience an uncontrollable urge to use substances or perform certain activities, although these behaviors may be harmful to themselves and others.
Those suffering with a substance abuse addiction are often unable to cease their behavior without some form of medical intervention. Studies have found that repeat use of certain drugs can figuratively rewire the brain, resulting in alterations to neural pathways associated with dopamine. This means that repeat drug users may become reliant on consuming the substance in order to function. For example, those with alcohol addiction ("alcoholism") become physically dependent on alcohol and may experience extreme withdrawal symptoms when avoiding alcohol entirely; in rare cases, medically unsupervised withdrawal can lead to death.
Behavioral addictions are similar to substance abuse addictions; however, people with behavioral addictions are addicted to a behavior or emotion associated with certain behaviors, as opposed to drugs. In addition to gambling, common behavioral addictions include food, video games, social media, shopping, and pornography addictions. When performing the activity, people experience euphoria (a rush of dopamine) that slowly lessens over time, meaning they build a tolerance and dependency on a behavior. For example, people who are addicted to shopping may need to purchase more items or spend more money to feel the same rush that once fueled their addiction.
Addictions can be assessed through a variety of means such as diagnostic screening, abuse assessment, or psychiatric evaluation. Treatment can help patients recover from their addictions and manage mental and physical health conditions related to their addiction. People with addictions may be treated in rehabilitative treatment facilities, hospitals, and other clinical settings.
Addiction treatment for substance abuse may include:
Addiction treatments for both substance abuse and behavioral addictions may include:
Addiction treatment has expanded to include care for patient substance abuse in non-clinical settings. A number of community programs now provide at-risk substance users a safe place or means to use drugs and mobile doctor's services for drug-associated illnesses and injuries. Behavioral addictions are also gaining increased attention as researchers and mental health professionals seek to better understand and treat them. For example, some researchers are assessing the connections between video game addiction and childhood risk factors. More and more, mental health experts are recognizing the importance of meeting people with addictions where they are at, using more advanced treatments. Addiction treatment is intended to care for people with addictions with compassion and respect.
Self-Esteem Issues
Self-esteem is the value one assigns to oneself based on a complex combination of factors such as confidence, identity, sense of belonging, and self-image, among others. Self-esteem plays a critical role in determining one's happiness and overall well-being. Those with a very positive self-perception are considered to have "high" self-esteem, whereas those with negative self-perception have "low" self-esteem. Self-esteem does not dictate one's true intelligence, skills, looks, or accomplishments, although it can undermine one's motivation and opportunities. Successful people can have low self-esteem, and in some cases, that low self-esteem might motivate people to work harder at establishing themselves. Self-esteem is also not a binary scale, but a broad spectrum that people may move up or down throughout the course of their lives.
Humans begin to gain self-esteem in childhood from being cared for by adults and reaching natural milestones such as learning how to tie one's shoes. Self-esteem evolves through adolescence and adulthood, and can change drastically based on one's positive and negative experiences. It's important to develop healthy self-esteem to navigate through challenges, make decisions, and gain motivation to pursue interests.
Self-esteem issues can influence one's emotions, behavior, relationships, and world view. Self-esteem issues frequently arise from low self-esteem. Low self-esteem can be caused by factors such as trauma, caregiver neglect, abuse, bullying, and academic, social, or professional difficulties. Stressful life events such as parental divorce, caregiver conflict, and financial problems may also contribute to low self-esteem. In recent years, researchers have highlighted the influence of social media in negatively impacting adolescents' mental health. Common signs of low self-esteem include:
Excessive self-esteem can also be problematic in that it can hinder one's ability to form relationships with others. People with extremely high self-esteem may appear to be conceited or entitled. Some researchers suggest very high self-esteem can lead people to engage in more risk-taking behaviors. Causes of excessive self-esteem are less well-known, but may include upbringing, personality, and cognitive biases.
Fortunately, self-esteem issues can be readily addressed at any time. Positive self-affirmations recognizing one's own accomplishments can raise low self-esteem. Accepting one's own weaknesses and imperfections can benefit those with both low and high self-esteem. People with self-esteem issues often find therapy is an effective means to improve their self-esteem and mental health. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) can help people with self-esteem issues identify and change destructive patterns of thought. Support groups, family counseling, and antidepressant medication may also help with self-esteem issues.
Maintaining a positive outlook and belief in oneself can go a long way towards forming healthy self-esteem. Developing a strong sense of self can be important for well-being and contributes to overall happiness and success in life.
She has a state license in Texas.
Licensed In: Texas
Sylvia Luna, LPC, LCDC is associated with these hospitals and organizations:
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Ms. Sylvia Luna specializes in counseling and addiction therapy and practices in San Antonio, TX. Ms. Luna obtained a license to practice in Texas.
