I became a therapist out of a passion in walking others through the storms of life. We all experience times in our lives that leave us bruised, battered, and beaten. As a therapist, my goal is to help you find a way out of your storm and come out of it a stronger, more resilient, and more fulfilled person.

While many times in our lives we find ourselves struggling with clear obstacles or issues, sometimes an anxiety builds over time due to something just feeling off, but we often cannot figure out where it is coming from. I love to help clients undergo a process of self-exploration, to help them learn who their true, authentic self is; their self that is hidden due to shame from the expectations society places upon success, masculinity, femininity, age, race, sexuality, gender, and what is considered “cool” or “normal.” When we are able to reject the shame and shed the facades we wear to conform to what others expect of us (or what we think others expect from us), and start to live as our authentic selves, this deep existential discord that often causes anxiety, depression, anger, and many more symptoms, can finally become realigned and lead to inner peace and acceptance.

One of the main parts of our lives where we tend to hide out of shame is our sexual lives and relationships with ourselves and others. I love helping individuals and partners work to explore their sexual selves, build sexual confidence, heal from sexual trauma, reconnect after long sexual droughts and distance, learn new ways to explore their sexuality and find liberation from social constructs around what sex is and what it should look like. Many clients come to be with symptoms of sexual anxiety, erectile dysfunction, desire discrepancies/difficulties, decreases in attraction to their partners, or sexual trauma. I am heavily trained in sex therapy, using research and evidence-based methods to help clients understand how their bodies work, why they react the ways they do, and navigating the complexities of mind and body in the space of pleasure.

I have also been extensively trained in working with the LGBTQ+ population and work heavily in helping clients navigate their sexual and gender identities, issues related to minority stress, coming out, religious trauma, navigating mixed-identity relationships, gender transition, and healing from the shame and trauma that pervade throughout much of the lived queer experience and find space for self-love and acceptance.

Relationships are such an important part of life for all of us. When relationships suffer, it can impact all areas of life. Often, couples and partners come to me after many attempts to repair differences on their own, yet the repeated issues never get resolved. You love your partner but feel stuck with how to improve the relationship. You likely feel misunderstood and think a communication tweak could help, or maybe one or both of you have withdrawn from the other. Maybe your sex life is no longer fulfilling or has disappeared altogether. Partners often come to me when needing guidance in exploring consensual non-monogamy or opening up their relationships, struggling to find the balance of exploring emotional and sexual needs while also working through jealousy and establishing healthy boundaries. I understand the science of relationships and work from an empirical model of Gottman Couples Therapy (Completed all 3 levels). I use proven methods to help increase connection and empathy, thrive during conflict, promote effective communication, develop a pleasurable sexual relationship, and build caring behaviors and rituals.

My therapeutic approach is based upon the framework of Existential Humanistic therapy, focusing on the importance of understanding one’s self and their relation to their world. I use techniques from various theoretical modalities to meet every client with their specific needs and personalities, often drawing upon Narrative Therapy, Emotionally Focused Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Attachment Theory, Gestalt Therapy, and more. I work with clients as a partnership with the purpose of achieving their goals, whatever they may be. You know yourself better than anyone else, my job is to help you get out of your own way and live the way you deeply want.

As my client, I promise to actually, really, truly care about you. And when I say “you,” I mean your true and authentic self, no matter how much that person may feel like they are unlovable. You do not need to hide anything from me. I promise to be nonjudgmental and to provide you with a safe relationship and space to explore every facet of yourself. I will also bring my true and authentic self into session with you, with my humanness and imperfections unmasked as well. I am here to help you live your absolute best life, even amidst the many storms you may be experiencing.

Outside of session, I am normally doing whatever I can to be in or near a large body of water. Find me floating rivers, water skiing, and enjoying lazy pool or beachside Sunday afternoons. When staying dry, I love to explore the city restaurant by restaurant, running through Memorial Park, and obsess over cars at the POST.

Ty Neely, M.S., LPC, NCC is a Licensed Professional Counselor at Heights Family Counseling. He holds a Master of Science degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from the University of St. Thomas here in Houston. He specializes in adult counseling, focusing primarily on Narrative, Sex Therapy, Emotionally Focused, and Existential methods of treatment. He is extensively trained in Sex Therapy and in Gottman Couples Therapy, having completed all 3 levels.