Young Adult Therapists in Houston, TX
with Mary Duran, LCSW, LCDC
Gabriela Treviño, LCSW
and Tayler Duden, LCSW
We bring years of specialized experience in emerging adulthood. Our backgrounds in school settings and intensive treatment programs mean we understand the high-pressure environments you’re coming from—and the tools you need to move forward.
Do you feel stuck between who you were and who you’re supposed to be?
Does "adulting" feel more like a performance than a reality?
Are you struggling to find your footing in your career, your relationships, or your own skin?
Your young adulthood is a massive identity shift. It’s the season of high-stakes decisions and the pressure to have it all "figured out." We hear from young adults who feel isolated by their own independence and exhausted by the need to be "fine." You want to be the lead in your own life, but you still need a solid home base. We’re here to be that person in your corner—someone who isn't your parent, your boss, or your professors—helping you build a life that actually feels like yours.
Young Adults Come To Us When They Experience
Feeling stuck in comparison
Social Isolation
Quarter -Life Stress
Struggling to “Adult”
Boundary Burnout
Uncertainty about Identity
Feeling Lost
Low Self-Esteem
Social Anxiety
Loneliness
Unhealthy Coping Mechanisms
How Young Adult Therapy With Us Works
We start by building a foundation of mutual respect. You don’t need another person telling you what to do or judging your choices. We show up as strategic partners—a neutral, professional sounding board in your corner. We aren't here to act as a third parent; we’re here to help you navigate the transition into the person you want to be.
Sessions are collaborative and direct. We help you untangle complex emotions, manage the pressure of high-stakes decisions, and develop the communication skills needed to advocate for yourself—whether that’s in your career, your relationships, or with your family.
Modalities We Use
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DBT provides a practical toolkit for managing the high-stakes stress of "adulting." We focus on building emotional resilience, distress tolerance for life’s transitions, and mindfulness to help you stay grounded when the future feels overwhelming.
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This work explores how your early experiences influence your current adult relationships. We help you break old cycles, move toward "secure attachment," and redefine your relationship with your family of origin as you move into independence.
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Learn the art of taking the driver's seat. We help you master the ability to experience hard emotions without getting stuck in them, allowing you to focus on the choices that align with the person you want to be, whether that’s in your social circle, your family, or your career.
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Move from reacting to understanding. We help you decode the "why" behind your emotions so you can express yourself clearly and stop feeling hijacked by anxiety, burnout, or frustration.
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This is the work of defining who you are outside of your family’s expectations or your academic/career labels. We explore your core values, personal goals, and the vision you have for a life that actually feels authentic to you.
Master the messy middle of becoming exactly who you want to be.
After Therapy, Our Clients Report:
Increased confidence
Feeling in control of their emotions
Clarity of academic and career goals
Using healthy coping skills
Authentic relationships
Assertive self-advocacy
Emotional resilience under pressure
Increased joy
Deeper understanding of self
About Us
Mary Duran, LCSW, LCDC
Gabriela Treviño, LCSW
and Tayler Duden, LCSW
Our style is relational and direct. We build a real connection with you. We give feedback, help you notice patterns in the moment, and teach you how to regulate your body, brain, and emotions. We believe healing happens inside a consistent, honest relationship.
Therapist Mary Duran, LCSW, LCDC
more about me
👋🏼 Hi, I’m Mary
Before founding this practice, I spent time working in a community integration program for young adults navigating challenges and the difficult transition into independence. My work focuses on helping young adults understand how early attachment patterns influence their ability to connect, communicate, and manage the intense stress of building a life that feels like their own.
Outside of the therapy room, I have practiced yoga for over a decade and find movement essential for calming a fast-moving mind. I live in Houston with my spouse and our two small dogs.
Therapist Gabriela Treviño, LCSW
more about me
👋🏼 Hi, I’m Gabriela,
Before joining this practice, I specialized in trauma recovery through my work in a specialized trauma program and The Menninger Clinic. My work with young adults focuses on helping them process and heal from the overwhelming experiences that can make the transition to independence feel stuck, providing the tools needed to recover from the past and build a more secure future.
I was raised in Houston and feel deeply connected to the community here. In my free time, I enjoy getting lost in a good book, gardening, and spending time with my partner and our three dogs.
Therapist Tayler Duden, LCSW
more about me
👋🏼 Hi, I’m Tayler
Before joining this practice, I worked in a community integration program with The Menninger Clinic, supporting young adults as they navigated the complexities of transitioning into independence. My work focuses on using Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Positive Psychology to help young adults move through stuck moments, helping them rediscover their strengths and build a deeper sense of connection to themselves and their goals.
Outside of the therapy room, I am a parent who loves finding joy in the everyday, whether that’s cooking, being creative, or exploring Houston’s local coffee shops. I live in Houston with my spouse, child, and our scruffy terrier mix.
Availability: We work with clients in-person in Houston. Telehealth sessions available across Texas, Colorado, Maryland, Maine, Minnesota, Indiana, Pennsylvania, and Washington, D.C.
Education, Credentials,
& Trainings
Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Texas
Specialized Training In Young Adult Mental Health
Training In Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
Training in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
Attachment-Based Therapy Training
Experience In School And Intensive Treatment Settings, including The Menninger Clinic
3 Steps To Get Started
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Fill out the contact form. We will personally respond and answer your questions.
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We will schedule a short call to see if it feels like a good fit and talk through next steps.
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We begin building trust, understanding your patterns, and creating a clear plan for our work together.