Mina O'Connell, MA, MS, PLLC

Mina has gained therapy experience and knowledge in a Christian Counseling center, a children's home, a busy managed care office, and in two eating disorder units as the family therapist for individuals and groups. She has developed private practices in Cambridge, England, upscale Denver, small town Nebraska, and now in San Antonio. Primary clients are individuals, couples, and families, many of whom are seeking a Christian perspective, are military families, and are often raising children through all of the developmental stages. Eating disorder clients also find help here. Children resolve troubles by engaging in art therapy, sand tray worlds, and play therapy.

From psychology and art therapy classes at the University of Texas in Austin, to an MA at Dallas Theological Seminary in Biblical Studies, and an MS at Texas Woman's University in Marriage and Family Therapy, Mina has developed a style of therapy in which the individual is understood and respected in the context of the important relationships surrounding them. Personality, communication, fair fighting, relational patterns, issues of forgiveness, boundaries, developmental life stages, parenting, and life goals are areas which are commonly explored in sessions in order to resolve difficulties. Blockages to growth and development are identified and removed in order to heal and make progress. Research has shown that problem solving is an important task of therapy, but creating an environment of mutual understanding and validation of each person's perspective is what individuals primarily need for successful relationships. Mina will work with you to help create the types of relationships, reach the goals, and successfully navigate the life stages that you desire.                                        

Training                                                                         

She has received training in the research-based Gottman approach for improving relationships by helping clients become better friends, manage conflict calmly, and support each others' hopes and dreams. The Gottman Institute has engaged in research for over 30 years to identify factors that foster healthy, loving relationships. She is approved as a member clinician to offer the Gottman Relationship Checkup. This online or paper test comprehensively identifies strengths and weaknesses to address in therapy. Treatment may then involve engaging in marital fitness exercises using tested but fun, playful, effective activities which lead to growth and change. She is also trained in the Myers-Briggs Temperament Testing which may be taken online and used to explore personality characteristics, styles, and combinations of couples. Fuller understanding of family members allows for empathy, conscious problem solving, and accommodation of each other to live successfully. She has also studied the Erica Method of Sand tray Assessment and Treatment with a Swedish therapist and was a board member for the Colorado Association for Play Therapy.

Memberships                                                                        

She is a Clinical Fellow of the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy, and member of the San Antonio Association for Relational Therapy, and the Alamo Chapter of Texas Association for Play Therapy.