Dr. Vanessa Gross, MD, MA, AMFT
Associate Marriage and Family Therapist
If you’re feeling stuck in a rut or unable to break free from your current symptoms or circumstances, I would be honored to work with you. With God’s help through Christian counseling, it’s possible to experience freedom, growth, and healing. I offer a variety of therapeutic approaches from a faith-based perspective and will customize your treatment plan based on your individual needs. I will listen attentively to your story and work with you to determine the best course of action moving forward so you can experience joy and peace again, with the help of the Holy Spirit.
Richardson – Sun, Tue & Wed
Online Counseling – Mon, Thu & Fri
No matter what you’re going through, hope and recovery are possible with God. I offer compassionate, professional counseling for children, teen therapy, counseling for adult individuals, couples therapy, family counseling, and group therapy. If you’re experiencing issues related to codependency, trauma, chemical dependency or substance abuse, anxiety, depression, or other concerns, I will work with you to establish a treatment plan to help you reach your goals and overcome the challenges you face. “With God all things are possible” (Matthew 19:26b).
My Goal as a Christian Counselor
One of my goals as your counselor is for you to feel an increased sense of peace in your life – the peace that passes understanding that can only come from the Prince of Peace Himself, Jesus Christ. As we work together, my hope is that your faith would be strengthened and that God would use me to guide you toward freedom from depression, anxiety, or other burdens that may be heavy on your heart.
What I Offer in Christian Counseling
I offer a safe, welcoming environment where you can feel seen and heard. From the very beginning, my aim is for you to feel as comfortable as possible with the therapeutic process and for us to establish a client-therapist relationship built on trust. As we take steps toward your personal growth, I will take time to get to know you and your story so we can develop an individualized approach based on your unique needs and goals.
My Approach to Christian Counseling
In Matthew 18:20, Jesus says, “For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.” As a Christian therapist, the knowledge that the Lord is present in our sessions, guiding the healing process, is extremely powerful and encouraging. Another significant benefit of a Christian counseling approach is the ability to be led by the Holy Spirit, especially by incorporating prayer, which provides divine wisdom and strength that cannot be found in secular efforts alone.
Qualifications & Experience
I hold a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from St. Thomas University in Houston and a Master’s in Clinical Counseling from Point Loma Nazarene University in San Diego. I am also licensed as a Medical Doctor (MD).
My Call to Christian Counseling
I was blessed to work with a Christian therapist during a difficult season in my life. This experience inspired me to help others as a primarily faith-based therapist. If I had pursued counseling from a secular counselor, I would have had a very different experience. Now I’m so grateful to be able to provide guidance to others using a faith-based approach including prayer and the offer of true peace that can only come from Christ.
More About Me/On a Personal Note
I enjoy being outdoors, traveling, and staying active with activities like hiking, kayaking, and yoga as well as exploring new places with my Wirefox Terrier, Chester.
Areas of Expertise/Specialties
- ADHD
- Anger Management
- Anxiety
- Autism
- Bipolar Disorder
- Chemical Dependency
- Coaching
- Counseling for Children
- Counseling for Teens
- Couples Counseling
- Codependency
- Depression
- Eating Disorders
- Family Counseling
- Grief and Loss
- Group Counseling
- Individual Counseling
- Infidelity and Affairs
- Marriage Counseling
- OCD
- Online Counseling
- Personal Development
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
- Professional Development
- Psychiatric Care Services
- Relationship Issues
- Sex and Porn Addiction
- Sexual Abuse
- Spiritual Development
- Trauma
Depression
If you are experiencing signs and symptoms of depression, hope is available. Together in session, we will work to identify your thought patterns and ongoing dialogue. By incorporating Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) techniques, it is possible to learn how to change unhelpful thought patterns. I will also incorporate behavioral activation techniques, which is often assigned as “homework” in order to help you build momentum and gain progress in daily life.
Trauma and PTSD
Healing from trauma looks different for each person, and is often a nonlinear process. For this reason, I take a client-centered approach to trauma recovery and will move at your pace. As we work together to heal the effects of trauma and PTSD in your life, I will introduce you to various coping skills and techniques, such as grounding, inner child healing, emotional processing in different forms (writing, yoga, art interventions, guided visualization exercises), creating a timeline, core belief work, and narrative therapy.
Codependency
In counseling for codependency, I will help you grow in your understanding of codependent relational patterns, where they stem from, and the purpose they have historically served. As you increase in self-awareness and better understand your own emotional needs, we will work toward the importance of setting healthy boundaries in relationships. As your therapist, I will support you by helping you find your voice so you can advocate for your own needs.
Chemical Dependency and Substance Abuse
I offer a non-judgemental approach to treating chemical dependency and substance abuse. I will work with you to address any underlying shame or guilt, which can often hinder the recovery process. Together we will work to identify the underlying issues that fuel your dependency and establish practical, therapeutic steps to help you overcome.
Clients struggling with various forms of substance abuse benefit the most from an integrative approach that combines support from other healthcare professionals as well as the family system, when possible.
Personal Development
Whether you desire to establish healthier habits, improve your relationships, take steps toward achieving a personal goal, or feel stuck with your personal growth, I would be happy to work with you. As we work together in counseling for personal development, I offer a solution-oriented approach in order to help you accomplish the short- and long-terms goals you set for yourself. Through this collaborative process, it is possible to see progress within the first one or two months, as much of the work occurs between sessions as you implement tools and techniques for growth.
Sessions: I offer 53-minute sessions. Sessions can be held more than once per week, weekly, or every other week. Scheduling options are discussed in greater detail during your Risk-Free Initial Session.
Availability (by office location):
- Richardson – Sunday, Tuesday, and Wednesday
- Online – Monday, Thursday, and Friday
Fees: I offer a Risk-Free Initial Session for individuals, couples, and groups looking to pursue counseling with me. Please note that there is a fee for the initial session as it is a clinical hour and reimbursable to most insurance companies, but if you choose not to reschedule and continue therapy after the initial session the entire fee for the session will be waived. For ongoing treatment the full fee per session is required at the time of service.
Insurance: As an Associate Marriage and Family Therapist (AMFT), some insurance companies will reimburse for a portion of my services (as an Out of Network Provider). Please consult with your insurance provider as to whether they specifically cover adolescents, individuals and couples.
Receipts/Statements: In the event you require a printed or digital receipt, I will provide receipts for personal use, insurance reimbursement, Flex Spending Accounts (FSA), and Health Savings Accounts (HSA).
Payment options: Cash, Check, or Credit Card (Visa, MasterCard, Discover, & American Express).