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Red Jay Guidance & Counseling - Website Archive

Archived from: TherapySites website (therapysites.com)
Business: The Red Jay Guidance and Counseling, LLC
Location: Virtual | San Antonio, TX 78253
Phone: (210) 560-3031

Tagline​

"Speaking life into it all, and breathing in hope..."

Welcome​

Welcome to The Red Jay Counseling and Guidance — a place where healing, hope, and transformation take root.

Life can be incredibly beautiful, but also deeply challenging. When the weight of stress, grief, anxiety, or uncertainty feels too heavy to carry alone, reaching out for support is one of the bravest things you can do.

I'm Ida Villavicencio, and it is my heartfelt calling to walk beside you with compassion, understanding, and respect. Here, you will find a safe, nurturing space to share your story, process your emotions, and uncover the strength and clarity already within you.

Whether you're navigating personal struggles, relationship difficulties, or simply longing for greater peace and direction, I am here to support your journey. Together, we will work toward restoring balance, embracing growth, and discovering the deep well of resilience that lives inside you.

You are not alone — and I am honored to walk this path with you.

Meet Ida Villavicencio​

Ida Villavicencio, M.A. Counseling, LPC
Founder of The Red Jay Counseling Practice

Welcome — I'm Ida Villavicencio, and for over 25 years, I've had the profound honor of serving as a Counselor in the field of education. Counseling has been more than a career to me — it is my life's calling, rooted in a deep passion for listening, guiding, and helping others find clarity, peace, and purpose.

Education​

  • Bachelor's degree in Communications — University of Texas Pan American (1996)
  • Master's in Counseling — University of Texas San Antonio (2003)
  • Master of Education in Administration — Lamar University
  • Doctoral coursework in Trauma and Community Care in Counseling — Liberty University

Philosophy​

I believe in the power of words to heal and transform. As a therapist, I engage deeply with each client's story, helping them uncover their strength, confront their challenges, and become the champion of their own narrative. Whether you're navigating anxiety, trauma, grief, or seeking deeper meaning in life, I offer a space where your voice is honored and your healing is nurtured.

Professional Background​

My journey has included roles as an Educator, School Counselor, Leadership Coach, Mentor, and Community Engagement Specialist. Through it all, my mission has remained constant: to speak life into every dark place and to help others discover that their worth and identity are not defined by the opinions of others — but by truth, choice, and hope.

Approach​

At The Red Jay Counseling practice, I provide online therapy using evidence-based, integrative methods tailored to your unique needs. My approach goes beyond symptom relief — we work together to address the root causes of distress for deep, lasting transformation.

If you are seeking compassionate, expert support on your path to healing and growth, I invite you to take the next step. Let's walk together toward your true North.

Services​

Providing individual, parents and family counseling.

I work with a wide range of emotional and behavioral issues providing services that span from therapy for depression and grief counseling to parenting support, stress management and beyond. In a comfortable and supportive atmosphere, I offer a highly personalized approach tailored to each of my clients individual needs to help attain the personal growth they're striving for.

Treatment Specialization​

  • Therapy for Depression and Anxiety
  • Family Counseling
  • Parenting Support
  • Grief Counseling
  • Work and Career Issues
  • Stress Management
  • Conflict Resolution
  • Guidance

Areas of Focus​

  • Parenting Support (ages 7 to adulthood)
  • Education Advisory — Pre-K through College and Career
  • Career and College Coaching
  • Life Coaching
  • High Functioning Autism (Asperger's)
  • Psychoeducation
  • Communication Training
  • Problem Solving Training
  • Self-Assertiveness Training
  • Life Transitions — Divorce, retirement, career change, etc.

Conditions Addressed​

  • Depression and Anxiety
  • Family Counseling
  • Grief and Loss
  • Panic Attacks and Panic Disorder
  • Phobias
  • Stress Management
  • Work and Career Issues
  • Parenting and Family Issues

Frequently Asked Questions​

How can Therapy Help me?​

A number of benefits are available from participating in therapy. Therapists can provide support, problem-solving skills, and enhanced coping strategies for issues such as depression, anxiety, relationship troubles, unresolved childhood issues, grief, stress management, body image issues and creative blocks. Many people also find that counselors can be a tremendous asset to managing personal growth, interpersonal relationships, family concerns, marriage issues, and the hassles of daily life. Therapists can provide a fresh perspective on a difficult problem or point you in the direction of a solution.

The benefits you obtain from therapy depend on how well you use the process and put into practice what you learn.

Benefits of therapy include:

  • Attaining a better understanding of yourself, your goals and values
  • Developing skills for improving your relationships
  • Finding resolution to the issues or concerns that led you to seek therapy
  • Learning new ways to cope with stress and anxiety
  • Managing anger, grief, depression, and other emotional pressures
  • Improving communications and listening skills
  • Changing old behavior patterns and developing new ones
  • Discovering new ways to solve problems in your family or marriage
  • Improving your self-esteem and boosting self-confidence

Do I really need therapy? I can usually handle my problems.​

Everyone goes through challenging situations in life, and while you may have successfully navigated through other difficulties you've faced, there's nothing wrong with seeking out extra support when you need it. In fact, therapy is for people who have enough self-awareness to realize they need a helping hand, and that is something to be admired. You are taking responsibility by accepting where you're at in life and making a commitment to change the situation by seeking therapy. Therapy provides long-lasting benefits and support, giving you the tools you need to avoid triggers, re-direct damaging patterns, and overcome whatever challenges you face.

Why do people go to therapy and how do I know if it is right for me?​

People have many different motivations for coming to psychotherapy. Some may be going through a major life transition (unemployment, divorce, new job, etc.), or are not handling stressful circumstances well. Some people need assistance managing a range of other issues such as low self-esteem, depression, anxiety, addictions, relationship problems, spiritual conflicts and creative blocks. Therapy can help provide some much needed encouragement and help with skills to get them through these periods. Others may be at a point where they are ready to learn more about themselves or want to be more effective with their goals in life.

In short, people seeking psychotherapy are ready to meet the challenges in their lives and ready to make changes in their lives.

What is Therapy like?​

Because each person has different issues and goals for therapy, therapy will be different depending on the individual. In general, you can expect to discuss the current events happening in your life, your personal history relevant to your issue, and report progress (or any new insights gained) from the previous therapy session.

Depending on your specific needs, therapy can be short-term, for a specific issue, or longer-term, to deal with more difficult patterns or your desire for more personal development. Either way, it is most common to schedule regular sessions with your therapist (usually weekly).

It is important to understand that you will get more results from therapy if you actively participate in the process. The ultimate purpose of therapy is to help you bring what you learn in session back into your life. Therefore, beyond the work you do in therapy sessions, your therapist may suggest some things you can do outside of therapy to support your process — such as reading a pertinent book, journaling on specific topics, noting particular behaviors or taking action on your goals.

People seeking psychotherapy are ready to make positive changes in their lives, are open to new perspectives and take responsibility for their lives.

What about medication vs. psychotherapy?​

It is well established that the long-term solution to mental and emotional problems and the pain they cause cannot be solved solely by medication. Instead of just treating the symptom, therapy addresses the cause of our distress and the behavior patterns that curb our progress. You can best achieve sustainable growth and a greater sense of well-being with an integrative approach to wellness. Working with your medical doctor you can determine what's best for you, and in some cases a combination of medication and therapy is the right course of action.

Do you take insurance, and how does that work?​

To determine if you have mental health coverage through your insurance carrier, the first thing you should do is call them. Check your coverage carefully and make sure you understand their answers.

Helpful questions to ask:

  • What are my mental health benefits?
  • What is the coverage amount per therapy session?
  • How many therapy sessions does my plan cover?
  • How much does my insurance pay for an out-of-network provider?
  • Is approval required from my primary care physician?

What is Telehealth?​

You will receive the same top quality therapeutic services as you would in person, all from the comfort of your home or office, via a HIPAA compliant Telehealth Platform. You and your therapist will set and work towards your personal goals, and explore the habits that aid in keeping you feeling stuck in your life.

Confidentiality​

Confidentiality is one of the most important components between a client and psychotherapist. Successful therapy requires a high degree of trust with highly sensitive subject matter that is usually not discussed anywhere but the therapist's office.

Every therapist should provide a written copy of their confidential disclosure agreement, and you can expect that what you discuss in session will not be shared with anyone. This is called "Informed Consent".

Sometimes, however, you may want your therapist to share information or give an update to someone on your healthcare team (your Physician, Naturopath, Attorney), but by law your therapist cannot release this information without obtaining your written permission.

Exceptions required by state law and professional ethics:

  • Suspected past or present abuse or neglect of children, adults, and elders requires therapists to report to the authorities, including Child Protection and law enforcement, based on information provided by the client or collateral sources.
  • If the therapist has reason to suspect the client is seriously in danger of harming him/herself or has threatened to harm another person.

Privacy & Policy​

Statement of Non-Discriminatory Practices​

The Red Jay Guidance and Counseling is a mental health practice that continually strives to provide counseling services in a way that doesn't discriminate on the basis of religion/creed, age, race, class, sex, gender, national origin, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or military status.

Confidentiality & Privacy Policy​

The law protects the relationship between a client and a psychotherapist, and information cannot be disclosed without written permission.

Exceptions include:

  • Suspected child abuse or dependent adult or elder abuse, for which I am required by law to report this to the appropriate authorities immediately.
  • If a client is threatening serious bodily harm to another person/s, I must notify the police and inform the intended victim.
  • If a client intends to harm himself or herself, I will make every effort to enlist their cooperation in ensuring their safety. If they do not cooperate, I will take further measures without their permission that are provided to me by law in order to ensure their safety.

Contact Information​

The Red Jay Guidance and Counseling, LLC
Virtual Office | San Antonio, TX 78253
Phone: (210) 560-3031
Call for Appointment

Please do not submit any Protected Health Information (PHI) via web forms.

Good Faith Estimate​

In order to comply with section 2799B-6 of the Public Health Service Act, the following information has been provided:

You have the right to receive a "Good Faith Estimate" explaining how much your medical and mental health care will cost.

Under the law, health care providers need to give patients who don't have insurance or who are not using insurance an estimate of the expected charges for medical services, including psychotherapy services.

You have the right to receive a Good Faith Estimate for the total expected cost of any non-emergency healthcare services, including psychotherapy services.

You can ask your health care provider, and any other provider you choose, for a Good Faith Estimate before you schedule a service.

If you receive a bill that is at least $400 more than your Good Faith Estimate, you can dispute the bill. Make sure to save a copy or picture of your Good Faith Estimate.

For questions or more information about your right to a Good Faith Estimate, visit: http://www.cms.gov/nosurprises

Website Therapy Disclaimer​

Information provided by me on this site is for informational and educational purposes only. No therapeutic or professional relationship is established by your review of this material and use of this site. No diagnosis, treatment, or specific therapeutic advice is being provided to you. There is no intent for me or this site to offer specific psychological advice to any person.

No guarantees or warranties are made with regard to any information provided by me on this site. I take no responsibility for websites hyperlinked to this site and such hyperlinking does not imply any relationship with me or endorsement by me of the linked sites.