Andrea Heston Counseling, PLLC

02/23/2026

DARVO. Let’s talk about it.
As a therapist and a human, you know what I have always been curious about?

When someone turns themselves into the victim the moment they’re confronted with how they hurt someone.

It’s called DARVO:
Deny. Attack. Reverse Victim and Offender.

It’s manipulative.
It’s destabilizing.
And it makes the original hurt person question their reality.

Here’s the truth:
When someone brings you hard feedback, the healthy response is curiosity — not character assassination.
You don’t have to agree with someone’s experience.

But you do have to respect it.

Boundaries are not attacks.

Naming hurt is not cruelty.

And accountability is not victimization.

If you’ve ever walked away from a conversation thinking,
“Wait… what just happened?”
you might have just experienced DARVO.
And you’re not crazy.

✨ Healthy relationships can tolerate discomfort.
✨ Safe people can hear hard things.
✨ Growth requires ownership.

We can do better than defensiveness disguised as virtue.

11/20/2025

Today, we honor the memory of transgender and nonbinary people whose lives were lost in acts of violence, marginalization and prejudice.

One simple but meaningful way to support members of the transgender community is to accurately use their personal pronouns: https://bit.ly/3MidHbd

11/03/2025

All behavior is communication. All of it. The best advice I can give as a therapist who has worked with kids for over a decade and as a parent to my own kiddos who are wired for anxiety is this: Tune out the unsolicited opinions of others, even the well meaning ones, and trust your gut. Get to the root. Connect before correcting. You know your kid, your family, your situation.

06/01/2025

🌈 Pride Month is more than a celebration — it’s a powerful reminder of identity, resilience, and the importance of being seen.

At Andrea Heston Counseling, we honor the strength of the LGBTQ+ community and remain committed to providing a safe, affirming space for healing and growth.

Pride is a time to celebrate love and authenticity — and also to recognize the ongoing fight for equality and mental health access. You deserve support that respects who you are, every month of the year. 🏳️‍🌈💛

05/06/2025

Curiosity promotes greater understanding and provides a moment to pause, allowing us to carefully consider our responses to the actions of others.

04/29/2025

Healthy boundaries help you thrive. Remember, it’s okay to say no and protect your space - emotionally, mentally, and physically. You deserve respect and peace. 🌸

04/17/2025

“As awareness grew, so did identification. It's not over-diagnosis. It's improved detection. It's more people being seen, named, and ideally supported."

04/04/2025

Get to know Noelle Fernandez LPC, a therapist offering virtual sessions to women in Texas. She addresses anxiety, depression, stress, ADHD, and self-esteem concerns using a neurodiversity-affirming approach. She accepts Aetna, BCBS, and United Health.

04/02/2025

In recognition of World Autism Acceptance Day which kicks off Autism Acceptance Month, we wanted to share a few resources for those wanting to learn more about Acceptance vs. Awareness or who are looking for community. Have more? Please share in the comments!

https://autisticadvocacy.org/
https://autismsociety.org/
https://neuroclastic.com/
https://awnnetwork.org/

02/24/2025

It’s Monday morning and I’m feeling some boho vibes in the office today. I find it fascinating how certain smells can impact your emotional state.

01/25/2025

Knowing who to call when you or a loved one is in crisis is important! More to come! Thank you for this helpful information.

01/18/2025

Noelle Fernandez, LPC, is now in network with BCBS, United Healthcare, and Aetna! She is available for Telehealth sessions for clients throughout the state of Texas. Give us a call to book!

We are a group practice offering mental health services across the lifespan throughout Texas.