Individual Therapy in Mckinney, TX.

Whether you're navigating a major life change, feeling overwhelmed by anxiety and stress, or struggling with your relationship with food and body, healing starts in an environment where you can feel fully seen and heard.

Who Individual Therapy Is For

Individual therapy is available for teens and adults ages 12 and up who are seeking support as they navigate life’s challenges and work toward greater self-understanding. Many clients come to therapy feeling overwhelmed by anxiety or weighed down by stress that feels difficult to manage alone. Others describe a sense of burnout or feeling stuck in patterns that no longer serve them. For those struggling with anxiety, therapy can offer a supportive space to slow down to better understand what’s driving persistent worry and develop healthier ways of coping with day-to-day stress. This may include challenges like perfectionism, self-doubt, difficulty setting boundaries, or feeling like nothing ever feels “good enough.” Many people also seek therapy when they feel disconnected from themselves and their sense of direction. We also work with individuals navigating their relationship with food, body image, and exercise. This can include disordered eating patterns, recovery from an eating disorder, or feeling stuck in unhelpful cycles of restriction, guilt, or comparison. Therapy can provide a space that is nonjudgmental and focused on rebuilding trust with your body and yourself. Life transitions are another common reason people seek support, whether that’s starting college, changing careers, becoming a parent, experiencing a breakup, or grieving a loss. Even positive changes can bring uncertainty and emotional strain, and therapy can help you move through these shifts with more clarity and self-compassion. You do not need to be in crisis to benefit from therapy. Many people begin simply because they want extra support as they work toward a more balanced and fulfilling life.

Our Approach to Individual Therapy

We believe that therapy is not one-size-fits-all. Each of our clinicians brings their own unique style and areas of expertise, allowing us to tailor treatment to the needs and goals of each client. While our approaches may differ, we share a commitment to providing compassionate, evidence-based care that helps clients create meaningful and lasting change. Our clinicians draw from a variety of therapeutic modalities, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Narrative Therapy, and mindfulness-based approaches. CBT helps clients understand how thoughts, emotions, and behaviors influence one another, while DBT provides practical skills for improving relationships and coping with distress. Narrative Therapy encourages clients to explore the stories they tell about themselves and identify new perspectives that support growth and healing. Mindfulness practices help clients become more present, increase self-awareness, and respond to challenges with greater intention and self-compassion. Rather than focusing solely on symptom reduction, we strive to help clients better understand themselves and build lives that feel more aligned with their values. We view therapy as a collaborative process and work alongside our clients to create an approach that feels supportive and empowering.

Some sessions may focus on challenges that have come up during the week and together we'll explore your thoughts and emotions, as well as, identify ways to move forward. As therapy progresses, we often begin looking beyond the immediate situation to understand the deeper patterns that may be contributing to ongoing struggles. This might include exploring long-held beliefs about yourself, relationship dynamics, coping strategies that no longer serve you, or experiences that have shaped the way you navigate the world today. By increasing awareness of these underlying processes, we can begin creating meaningful and lasting change rather than simply managing symptoms. Every session is tailored to your individual needs and goals. There may be times when we focus on building practical coping skills, challenging unhelpful thought patterns, processing emotions, or celebrating growth and progress. Our role is to provide support while helping you develop the tools and insights needed to create a healthier, more sustainable way of living. You set the pace, and we're here to walk alongside you throughout the process.

Supporting clients through personal growth is at the heart of what we do. Our clinicians bring a variety of specialized training, clinical experience, and therapeutic perspectives, allowing us to thoughtfully match our approach to each client's unique needs and goals. Most importantly, we believe that healing happens within the context of a strong therapeutic relationship. Our goal is to create a space where clients feel seen and supported as they work toward a life that feels more aligned with their values and goals.

What Individual Therapy Can Help With

Therapy for Depression

We help clients navigate feelings of sadness, hopelessness, low motivation, and self-criticism while developing practical tools to improve mood and strengthen resilience.

Therapy for Anxiety

We support clients experiencing excessive worry, overthinking, perfectionism, and anxiety-related stress by identifying underlying patterns and building skills to feel more grounded and in control.

Therapy for Eating Disorders

We provide compassionate support for individuals struggling with eating disorders, disordered eating, body image concerns, and difficult relationships with food, helping them move toward recovery.

Therapy for Life Transitions

Whether you're starting college, changing careers, navigating a relationship shift, becoming a parent, or facing grief and loss, we offer guidance and support as you move through these shifts.

Therapy for Trauma

We help clients process difficult experiences, understand the impact of trauma on their lives, and develop a greater sense of safety and connection as they move toward healing.

What Clients Experience

Clients often tell us they begin to:

  • Feel more confident in their ability to handle life's challenges without becoming overwhelmed.
  • Develop a healthier relationship with themselves, including greater self-compassion and less self-criticism.
  • Experience more peace around food and body image, allowing them to build a more compassionate relationship with self.
  • Better understand the patterns, beliefs, and experiences that have been keeping them stuck, and feel empowered to make meaningful changes.
  • Navigate relationships and boundaries with greater confidence and clarity.
  • Feel more connected to their values and sense of purpose, creating a life that feels more fulfilling.

What to Expect in Individual Therapy

Your first session is an opportunity for us to get to know one another. We'll spend time discussing what brought you to therapy, exploring your current concerns, reviewing relevant history, and identifying what you hope to gain from the process. This session is also a chance for you to ask questions and determine whether the therapist feels like a good fit for your needs. In the sessions that follow, we'll work together to explore both the challenges you're currently facing and the deeper patterns that may be contributing to them. Therapy is not a one-size-fits-all process, and each session is tailored to your goals and unique circumstances. Most sessions last 50 minutes and are typically scheduled on a weekly basis, although the frequency may change depending on your needs and progress. Throughout our work together, we'll regularly revisit your goals, discuss what's feeling helpful, and adjust our approach as needed to ensure therapy continues to support your overall well-being.

Insurance & Investment

We are an out-of-network practice and do not directly accept insurance. However, we are happy to provide superbills that you may submit to your insurance company for potential out-of-network reimbursement. Session rates vary by clinician, and current fees can be found on each provider's bio page. We also offer a limited number of sliding scale spots based on availability and individual circumstances. For your convenience, we accept HSA and FSA cards as forms of payment. If you have questions about fees, reimbursement, or finding a therapist who fits your budget, we encourage you to reach out!

Begin Your Healing Journey

Wherever you are in your journey, you deserve support and a place to be heard. We're honored to be part of that process.

Quick Details

Session Length:
45-53 Minutes
Session Fee:
$80-$200
Locations:
In-person in McKinney, TX & online across TX, CO, & FL
Insurance Accepted:
Aetna, Cigna, United, UMR, Sana Benefits, Curative, and Baylor Scott & White
Schedule A Session

Meet Our

Mental Health

Experts

Dr. Desiree Stephens, PhD, LPC-S, founder and therapist at The Desired Journey

Dr. Desiree’ L. Stephens, LPC-S, NCC, TLHL LMHC, Certified-CCPT, ACS

Holding space for the unheld.

Barbra Moore, LPC-Associate, therapist at The Desired Journey in McKinney, TX

Barbra Moore, LPC-Associate, NCC

Compassion and hope for women and children navigating life's hardest changes.

Sarah Garza, LPC-Associate, therapist at The Desired Journey in McKinney, TX

Sarah Garza, LPC-Associate

Down-to-earth support to move through life's challenges with warmth and honesty.

Katherine Washington, LMSW, women's therapist at The Desired Journey, serving Texas online

Katherine Washington, LMSW

Helping women reconnect with their strength through motherhood and life's transitions.

Mallori Thompson, LPC-Associate, women's therapist at The Desired Journey, serving Texas online

Mallori Thompson, LPC-Associate

Helping women reclaim peace, power, and purpose through every chapter.

Collin Brower, LPC-Associate, men's therapist at The Desired Journey in McKinney, TX

Collin Brower, LPC-Associate

Helping men trade carrying it all alone for a life of real purpose.

Lupe Lopez, MS, LPC-Associate, therapist at The Desired Journey in McKinney, TX

Lupe Lopez, LPC-Associate

Empowering teens and adults to move through anxiety and self-doubt with confidence.

FAQS

Questions You Might Be Carrying

A few things people often wonder before reaching out.
How do I know if therapy is right for me if I'm not in crisis?
You don't have to be experiencing a major mental health crisis to benefit from therapy. Many clients seek therapy because they want additional support, feel stuck in certain patterns, are navigating a life transition, or want to better understand themselves and improve their overall well-being.
How long will I need to be in therapy?
The length of therapy varies depending on your goals and the pace that feels right for you. Some clients attend for a few months to work through a specific issue, while others choose to continue longer as they deepen personal growth and self-understanding.
What if I've never been to therapy before and I'm nervous?
Feeling nervous is completely normal. Starting therapy can feel vulnerable, especially if you've never talked with a therapist before. Our goal is to create a welcoming, nonjudgmental environment where you can move at a pace that feels comfortable.
Can therapy help if I struggle with food, body image, or an eating disorder?
Yes. Therapy can provide support for individuals experiencing eating disorders, disordered eating, body image concerns, and difficult relationships with food. Together, we'll work toward understanding the underlying factors contributing to these struggles while building healthier patterns and self-compassion.
What if I'm not sure what I want to talk about?
Many clients come to therapy knowing they want things to feel different but aren't sure exactly where to begin. That's okay. Part of the therapeutic process is helping you explore what's contributing to your distress and identifying goals that feel meaningful to you.
Can I do virtual therapy sessions?
Many of our clinicians offer telehealth appointments, allowing you to attend therapy from the comfort of your home or another private location.
How do I know if a therapist is the right fit for me?
A strong therapeutic relationship is one of the most important factors in successful therapy. The first few sessions allow both you and your therapist to get to know one another and determine whether the rapport and approach feel like a good match.
Is everything I share in therapy confidential?
Yes. Therapy is a confidential space, and protecting your privacy is extremely important to us. Your therapist will review confidentiality and its legal exceptions during your first session so you have a clear understanding of how your information is protected.

Still have questions?

Reach out to us anytime for assistance.
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What to expect

Taking the First Step Feels Big. We've Got You!

Reaching out is brave. Here's what happens once you do, so nothing feels uncertain.
1
Reach Out
You can either submit a contact form or schedule your first session online.
2
Get Matched
We match you with the best therapist for your needs.
3
Settle In
Your first session focuses on comfort, sharing your story, and setting goals together.
4
Move Forward
We create a personalized plan based on your goals and track progress together.
Ready when you are

Let's Take the Next Step of Your Journey Together