The Counseling Cow, PLLC

Therapy for Confidence, Clarity and Connection

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Why the 'Counseling cow'?

The name was chosen out of my love for both cows and alliteration :)

Hi, I’m Daniela Otoya, LPC, founder of The Counseling Cow, PLLC., a space for emotionally aware adults who are ready to stop overthinking, trust themselves, and live with clarity, creativity, and authentic connection.You don’t need another checklist or pep talk. You need a space to slow down, hear your own voice, and rebuild trust in your intuition, judgment, and choices. That’s what I support: helping you feel confident in your decisions, honest with yourself, and aligned in your life.If this resonates, it might be because you recognize one (or more) of these patterns in yourself:The Quiet Second-Guess
You sense what you need or feel in a situation, but before you act, you talk yourself out of it. You ignore your intuition or minimize your emotions, leaving yourself disconnected from what you really want.The Relational Loop
A friend, partner, or family member acts in a way that triggers you, and you replay it endlessly...analyzing, apologizing, or overexplaining, without actually expressing how you feel or setting boundaries.The Hesitation to Ask
You want support, clarity, or honesty from someone close to you, but fear of judgment, conflict, or rejection keeps you silent. You stay stuck in what feels safe, even if it doesn’t serve you.The Withheld Voice
You have insight, creativity, or advice that could help others, but you hold it back, afraid of being “too much” or that it might not be perfect. Your wisdom goes unheard, and you quietly resent it.The Overanalyzed Opportunity
A chance to grow emotionally, try something new, or deepen a connection appears, but self-doubt or internal conflict convinces you to wait, leaving curiosity and potential unexplored.The Self-Imposed Limits
You know what you want: emotional clarity, healthier relationships, or personal growth, but you put restrictions on yourself first. “I’m not ready. I need more insight. I can’t handle this yet.” Meanwhile, life moves forward and you feel stuck in place.In therapy, we work on breaking these patterns, quieting self-doubt, and reconnecting with your voice and intuition, so you can take the steps that truly matter, without overthinking, guilt, or hesitation.

What’s Possible

Imagine trusting your own judgment enough to honor what you truly need without overthinking every interaction, second-guessing every feeling, or shrinking yourself to keep others comfortable.Imagine expressing yourself in relationships, friendships, or personal projects without that tight knot in your chest whispering, “You’re too much. You’re not allowed. You shouldn’t want this.”Through our work together, you can:

  1. Take action in your life and relationships without letting self-doubt hold you back

  2. Stop overanalyzing your emotions and allow your feelings, voice, and choices to be valid and enough

  3. Reconnect with your creativity, intuition, and curiosity as tools for growth, self-expression, and emotional clarity

  4. Move through life with more ease, grounded in your own inner guidance instead of trapped in overthinking

  5. Trust that your sensitive, introspective, imperfect self deserves space, recognition, and connection

We’re not chasing flawless or fearless. We’re building confidence, clarity, and emotional alignment, so you can show up, make choices, and live in a way that actually feels like yours even when doubt lingers.Down below are the different approaches I infuse in our work together:

Mindfulness & Acceptance Commitment Therapy (ACT)

Mindfulness helps you slow down and actually notice what’s going on in your thoughts, your emotions, and your body. We use it to make space between the thought and the reaction, so you have more choice in how you respond. It’s not about “emptying your mind”; it’s about noticing what’s there without judgment.ACT helps you notice and make space for your thoughts, feelings, and urges without letting them control you. We use it to clarify what truly matters to you, so you can take meaningful action even when doubt, fear, or discomfort shows up. It’s not about “fixing” yourself; it’s about learning to live in alignment with your values, even when life feels messy.

Parts-Informed Therapy

We all have different “parts” of ourselves like the inner critic, the avoider, or the dreamer. Parts-informed therapy helps you understand these voices instead of battling them. When we get curious about why they show up, we can loosen their grip and let more balanced, creative parts lead the way.

Somatic Approaches

Sometimes your body holds onto tension and emotion long after your mind has moved on. We pay attention to sensations, posture, and breath, using gentle techniques to help your nervous system settle and release what’s been stored. It’s like giving your body a chance to exhale fully.

Creative & Experimental Exploration

You don’t have to be an artist to benefit from creative exploration in therapy. We might use guided imagery, metaphor, or writing exercises to help you access and express what’s hard to put into words. These experiences can open new perspectives, deepen self-understanding, and help you connect with your intuition and inner guidance.

What Working Together Looks Like

I offer individual therapy for Gen Z (18+) & Millenials via telehealth in Virginia.Session Options:
50-90+ minute therapy session – $150-200
Sliding scale available: based on your incomeI currently work with clients through:
Private pay (superbills offered for insurance reimbursement)
In-Network Plans
Aetna
BlueCross and BlueShield
Carelon Behavioral Health
Cigna and Evernorth
Quest Behavioral HealthAll sessions are virtual via HIPAA-compliant platform.You can book a free 15-minute consult to see if we’re a good fit.

About me

I’m Daniela: part therapist, part wanderer, part lover of rivers. I’m the kind of person who will pull over to watch the light change on the water or get lost in a street market halfway across the world. Travel, adventure, and art are my oxygen. I believe life is too short for beige conversations and too precious for autopilot living. When I’m not working, you’ll probably find me painting, exploring a new town, or daydreaming about my next trip. I like mocktails, music that makes me feel something, and people who laugh from the gut. In short, I’m a mix of curiosity, compassion, and just enough mischief to keep things interesting.

🆘 In crisis? Please don’t wait.

This site is for informational purposes only and is not intended to provide emergency mental health services.If you are experiencing a mental health crisis, are in danger, or are considering self-harm or harming others, please do not use this website or contact form.Call or text 988 for the Suicide & Crisis LifelineCall 911 or go to your nearest emergency room if you’re in immediate dangerReach out to the Crisis Text Line by texting HELLO to 741741Find more local resources at https://www.mentalhealth.gov/get-help/immediate-help