Claudia Hernandez Vargas

As a Latina woman, I am deeply committed to increasing access to mental health care and reducing stigma within my community. As a first-generation individual and Spanish-speaking therapist, my path into this work is rooted in my own lived experiences navigating limited mental health awareness and support. I am passionate about helping individuals and families understand what therapy is, what it can look like, and how it can become a meaningful and empowering part of their lives.

I work with children ages 6 and up, with a special love for pre-teens, as well as adolescents, young adults, couples, and families. I especially enjoy incorporating creative and expressive approaches into therapy, including art, sand tray, and parts-based work, with both children and adults. These modalities allow clients to explore emotions, identity, and experiences in ways that go beyond words and feel more accessible and authentic.

At the heart of my work is helping individuals build self-esteem, self-compassion, and confidence, particularly for those navigating environments where they may feel like the minority. I believe everyone deserves to take up space without fear, and therapy can be a powerful place to practice doing just that.

I approach therapy with authenticity and warmth, and as a relational person, connection is central to my work. I strive to create a nonjudgmental, affirming space where clients feel safe, respected, and in control of their process. I often share that therapy is like being on a road trip together — you are the driver, and I am the passenger offering guidance along the way. We move at your pace, pause when needed, adapt to detours, and learn as we go. Eventually, I step out of the car, and you continue forward feeling more confident, grounded, and supported.

I also believe that grief exists in many forms — in life transitions, identity shifts, relationships, and healing itself. Rather than avoiding or resisting grief, I invite clients to gently acknowledge it, develop a relationship with it, and understand how it may show up across different diagnoses and experiences. Embracing grief can open the door to deeper growth, resilience, and self-understanding.

A Mexican turned Austinite, I cherish and value my culture deeply. Having been raised in Austin from a young age while navigating two cultures, I bring a culturally responsive and compassionate lens to my work with clients and families.

Outside of the therapy room, I enjoy traveling and learning from other cultures, exploring trails around the Austin area, and getting lost in a good book.