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Lauren Hudgens - Desta Therapy - San Antonio TX

Welcome! My name is Lauren Hudgens. My experience as an 8th and 9th grade English teacher is what inspired me to become a therapist. I’m drawn to the here-and-now of the therapeutic relationship, where we can ditch the social performance and deal directly with the raw reality of life. Whether I'm helping a teen navigate difficult experiences or helping an adult realign with their core values, I believe therapy should be an active, organic process that unfolds uniquely for every person.

My life outside the office is centered around my partner Daniel and our three sweet kids. You’ll find me gardening or tending to an ever-growing collection of houseplants, on an impromptu road-trip, crushing my reading list, creating themed playlists, and generally being outside as much as possible.

Area of Expertise

I specialize in navigating the layers of complex trauma and exploring how that trauma manifests in our daily lives. Often, this shows up as a persistent sense of "not feeling well," emotional dysregulation, or a feeling of disconnect from oneself and others. My background includes extensive work with survivors of sexual trauma and domestic violence, helping clients process the profound impact these experiences have on their sense of safety and self-worth.

I also focus on eating disorders and disordered eating behaviors — areas where trauma frequently intersects with our relationship to food and our bodies. 15 years in the hospitality industry has helped me understand our fundamental relationship with food, and how what we consume is directly connected to our overall wellness. I am passionate about helping clients move away from the chaos of a struggling relationship with food toward a sense of nourishment and ease.

Between my years in the classroom and my experience with higher levels of care, I’ve learned that healing happens when you move beyond labels to offer a grounded, human approach that acknowledges complexity and gets to the root of the struggle.

Techniques I Use

I view therapy as an active and collaborative process. Whether we are using EMDR to address stored trauma or building practical DBT skills for distress tolerance, the focus is always on creating real change. I value CBT as a way to identify and change unhelpful patterns, and I encourage expression through journaling, music, and other creative activities for times when words aren't enough.

I have a deep interest in the science of healing, including psychoeducation and psychopharmacology. While I do not prescribe, I am passionate about helping clients understand how their biology and brain chemistry intersect with their mental health.

Finally, I find that movement and nature are essential parts of the healing process, whether we’re discussing how to integrate more activity into your day or finding ways to use the outdoors as a space for genuine reset. I believe that true wellness happens when we reconnect with our senses.

Demographic I Serve

Individuals 12 years old and up

Rate Per Session

$150 (Individuals) - $175 (Couples/Families)

Insurance Accepted

Yes

New Clients Accepted

Yes

Service Setting

In-Office & Online

Contact Me

Rate Per Session

$150 (Individuals) - $175 (Couples/Families)

Service Setting

In-Office & Online

Contact Me

Techniques I Use

I view therapy as an active and collaborative process. Whether we are using EMDR to address stored trauma or building practical DBT skills for distress tolerance, the focus is always on creating real change. I value CBT as a way to identify and change unhelpful patterns, and I encourage expression through journaling, music, and other creative activities for times when words aren't enough.

I have a deep interest in the science of healing, including psychoeducation and psychopharmacology. While I do not prescribe, I am passionate about helping clients understand how their biology and brain chemistry intersect with their mental health.

Finally, I find that movement and nature are essential parts of the healing process, whether we’re discussing how to integrate more activity into your day or finding ways to use the outdoors as a space for genuine reset. I believe that true wellness happens when we reconnect with our senses.

Demographic I Serve

Individuals 12 years old and up

Insurance Accepted

Yes

Rate Per Session

$150 (Individuals) - $175 (Couples/Families)

Service Setting

In-Office & Online

Contact Me
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