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Esmeralda Cardenas
LPC, PMH-C
Accepting New Clients
Yes
Locations Served
USA
,
Texas
,
Languages
English
,
Spanish
,

About Esmeralda Cardenas

Esmeralda is a perinatal mental health therapist dedicated to supporting individuals through the emotional complexities of pregnancy, postpartum, and motherhood. Drawing on both her clinical expertise and personal experience, she offers a unique blend of professional insight and profound understanding. As a mother who has navigated postpartum depression, anxiety, and intrusive thoughts, Esmeralda brings a deep, lived perspective to her therapeutic work. She believes that each person's journey is unique and deserves to be honored, and her role is to walk alongside her clients, helping them connect with resources and support that promote holistic, collaborative care. Her approach combines compassionate listening with thoughtful challenges, encouraging authentic and sustainable growth.

For clients who desire it, Esmeralda also offers Christian counseling as an integral part of the healing journey.

In her personal time, she finds joy and grounding in nature, particularly through bird watching and listening to their gentle chirping. She also enjoys the rhythmic process of pottery, nurturing her plants, cherishing small moments, and enthusiastically singing along to music, especially in Spanish.

Esmeralda strives to create a space where clients feel seen, supported, gently guided, and appropriately challenged. She is honored to walk alongside those seeking support on their path to well-being.

Right For You If

Areas Of Focus

  • Postpartum anxiety
  • Postpartum depression
  • Postpartum OCD and intrusive thoughts
  • Faith transitions and spiritual desconstruction in parenting
  • Cultural identity and expectations in motherhood
  • Pregnancy after loss or infertility
  • Sleep deprivation and emotional dysregulation
  • Birth trauma and traumatic birth recovery
  • Panic attacks in motherhood
  • Boundaries and resentment in motherhood
  • Mental load, burnout, and invisible labor
  • Supporting emotional development in children
  • Communication challenges with partner or co-parent
  • Relationship and intimacy challenges after baby
  • Trauma recovery across the motherhood journey
Show more

Insurance and Benefits Coverage

Modalities

  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
  • Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
  • Attachment Based Therapy
  • Motivational Interviewing
  • Couples Therapy
  • Culturaly Responsive Therapy
  • Trauma Focussed Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT)

Trainings and Certifications

  • Perinatal Mood Disorders: Components of Care Course with the Advanced Certificate Training in Psychotherapy with Postpartum Support International
  • Completed CBT, ACT, DBT, Bringing Baby Home Trainings for the Perinatal Population.

The Personal

What’s your favorite way to unwind after a long day? After a long day I like to unwind by throwing pottery, attending a good barre workout, caring for my plants and family nights where we enjoy a good board game together.

What’s a small joy that never fails to make you smile? The way sunlight filters through my windows. Stepping outside and hearing the birds sing in that golden light adds a layer of peace that grounds me.

What’s your go-to comfort show, podcast, or book? Reading on my Kindle. I have really enjoyed Kristin Hannah's books lately.

What’s a parenting mantra of quote you love? "Just when you think you've mastered one stage, a new one comes along, that's parenting." It helped ground my expectations and it allowed me to breathe, even if I knew it would be a hard journey.

What's one thing most people don't know about you? That I can doubt myself as a professional; imposter syndrome?! Yep. I struggle with impostor syndrome, especially as our profession progresses.

Coffee order, tea ritual, or favorite snack? I love a good vanilla latte with soy milk, peppermint tea, peach tea, and I love a tea that is locally made here in San Antonio that helps reduce stress (Tea Chemist, highly recommend). My favorite snack are pomegranate seeds, mangos with chamoy and lately Butter Pecan ice cream.