Ana Alicia Potthast

Online Therapy

DSW, LCSW, LCDC

Alaska, Colorado, Oregon, and 3 more...

License 59774

https://ana-potthast5376.clientsecure.me/?mld=18411a65dca4b3-009d04bf41ee56-1457d75-60c28-18411a65dcb1c54&fbclid=iwar0tsq341wye-rl6zpfpw37kdwjbo846ishqgkb9yw-fdnwwzgeqa6t-pea

(830) 660-1006

About Ana Alicia

Hi there! My name is Dr. Ana Alicia Potthast, and I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor with extensive experience and training in behavioral health, diagnostics, addiction, co-occurring disorders, depression, anxiety, personality disorders, trauma, domestic violence, sexual abuse and assault, maternity and fertility issues, grief and loss, hoarding, family dynamics and conflict, marital issues, sexual orientation and gender identification and expression, adjustment issues, stages in life, and many other situations that bring a client to seek counseling. I provide a collaborative and open approach therapeutic style, without any judgment to each client's unique situation. I am trained in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, Family Systems Therapy, Interpersonal Psychotherapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, and Psychodynamic Therapy. I have a passion for assisting client's to reach their full potential and treatment goals. I obtained an Associate of Applied Science in American Sign Language from San Antonio College in San Antonio, TX, and then graduated with a Bachelor and Master of Social Work from Texas State University in San Marcos, TX, before obtaining a Doctor of Social Work from the University of Southern California in Los Angeles, California. I am an affirming ally for LGBTQIA clients, and this is a Safe Space. I am presently on the Board of Directors for Fiesta Youth, a member of PFLAG San Antonio, a Federal Club member for the Human Rights Campaign, and a former Steering Committee member for the Human Rights Campaign San Antonio. I was the first recipient of the Pride Center San Antonio Community Circle Award for my volunteer work in the community. Additionally, I work in the medical field, and I have extensive court room testimony experience regarding recommendations for contested custody situations and child welfare situations. I also have a passion for working along-side clients who are living with addiction, and the trauma and hardships they experience as they navigate towards a life of sobriety. I am a wife and mother, and I enjoy hobbies of going to concerts, volunteer work, geocaching, American Sign Language, watching documentaries, dancing, and spending time with family, friends, and my many pets.

Costs and Insurance

$125 per session

Sliding Scale

Out of Pocket

Aetna

Anthem

Blue Cross Blue Shield

Cigna

Medicaid

Medicare

Molina Healthcare

Optum

TRICARE

UnitedHealthcare

How do you work with clients with relationship issues?

You have to go in with an open mind, and make sure you are aware of the unique dynamics of each relationship. There is no cookie-cutter approach.

How does family or marital therapy work and how can it help?

Family and marital therapy works so long as everyone is invested, and everyone feels heard; not ignored, not judged. It can help people understand each other’s perspective in a safe space.

What's your experience with children or adolescents?

I started off my career as working with children and adolescents. I have about almost 20 years of experience with kids, but I also feel that with children, you have to have patience, as they dont always know the right words for their thoughts and feelings. You have to talk with them, NOT at them.

How do you work with clients with anxiety?

You have to be willing to LISTEN above all else. Reassure them that anxiety is a valid feeling, and then work alongside them to identify early onset triggers and symptoms, and come up with an action plan to mitigate these symptoms.

What's your experience with cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)?

CBT happens to be my favorite modality, as it explores your thoughts and why you feel a certain way, and finds what needs to be changed, and is reworked into something healthy and meaningful. It challenges clients to think outside the box.

Why did you become a therapist, and what motivates you to continue?

I became a therapist quite by accident; I honestly thought I would focus on child welfare for many years and felt passionate about it. However, after a few years of working with children, I decided to broaden my scope and work with adults. I worked with a county agency that provided services to adults, and I was hooked. I moved to the medical field for a change in pace and continued to work with people who were experiencing mental health and substance use issues. I realized that it was so prevalent. I also realized that I wanted to work alongside people to assist them in their mental healthcare. So I decided to become a therapist, and the rest is history!

How do you work with clients with depression?

I feel with depression that each client has a unique situation where they need to be both heard and reassured.

For people that are hesitant to try therapy, what do you wish you could tell them?

I think that mental health is a personal journey, but it is also an investment into your pursuit of happiness. I tell everyone to give it a try.

How do you work with clients with trauma and PTSD?

I let them tell me about their trauma and assure them it is a safe space, and we don’t have to discuss certain things until they are ready. I never want my clients to feel unsafe. I want them to know I appreciate them entrusting me with their most vulnerable moments. I assure them that they are safe now.

What should people thinking about working with you, know about you?

I am very passionate about the work I do alongside my clients. I am also very extroverted by nature, so dont worry about being in a stuffy session. Therapy should be both meaningful and pleasant.

How do you work with clients with grief?

You have to understand that sometimes the grief cycle is a roller coaster. And sometimes clients have to live day by day, minute by minute, second by second. And that’s okay. The important thing is to keep moving while allowing yourself time and space to heal. It’s okay to not be okay some days.

What does a typical session with you tend to look like?

I tell my clients, "I am all ears." I want them to know that I have much experience and I have likely heard many of what they present to in therapy, while still understanding that their situation is unique too. I want them to know that I won't think oddly about them or their situation. I try to encourage them to speak what is on their mind and assure them that their feelings are valid.

How do you work with clients with addiction?

First and foremost- without judgement. I have extensive experience in working with with clients experiencing addiction. I’m a licensed chemical dependency counselor, so I have the clinical background and knowledge to work with all kinds of addictions. That being said, I myself am years in recovery, and I think that’s an important distinction. It’s one thing to know, and another thing entirely to KNOW. I find clients appreciate the genuine approach.

How do you work with clients with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)?

My usual modality is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, where I get to work alongside the patient in identifying the obsession, identifying the compulsion, underlying traumas or other contextual history of the disorder, and then work alongside the patient to challenge and reframe the obsessions and compulsive behaviors. It takes a lot of work, but clients can be very successful.

How do you work with clients with borderline personality (BPD)?

I utilize Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, and we explore the trauma that the patient has endured, as well as feelings they may have about themselves and others, explore fears, explore their relationship patterns and experiences, and their present communication styles and patterns to come up with a plan to address, improve, and reframe some of their thoughts or actions.

How can you provide care remotely?

I have a HIPAA compliant and secure telehealth portal that I use for telehealth.

How do you work with clients with bipolar disorder?

I typically use Cognitive Behavioral Therapy alongside watching patterns of behaviors, moods, or episodes. I pay attention to the intensity and the duration and frequency of an episode. We work together on reframing negative thoughts, utilize de-escalation techniques to help when feeling overwhelmed, and motivation techniques were needed.

How do you work with clients with stress?

I always tell them to first “Breathe.” I also tell them it is okay to take a moment to stop, decompress, and regroup.

How do you work with clients with transgender issues?

I have a lot of experience working with the LGBTQ population, and with the transgender population you have to show them the respect that society has not always given them. Respect their preferred name, their preferred pronouns, and ensure them that they are in a safe space.

How do you work with clients with spiritual or religious issues?

You respect their beliefs, and I find myself researching anything I don’t know. And it’s okay to ask the client questions about their beliefs. This shows you value them.

Interested in talking?