Prof. Vanessa Costello brings a decade of counseling practice to her work in Oklahoma. She holds a Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Therapy and is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) with credentials in Arizona and Texas as well as Oklahoma. She combines practical approaches with a values-aware perspective to help people who feel stuck or overwhelmed.
Vanessa aims for a straightforward, respectful style in sessions. She treats people as the experts in their own lives and focuses on small, useful steps that build confidence. Conversations often center on clearer thinking, improving communication, and managing stress so daily life feels more doable.
Her background includes work with a wide age range, from young adults to seniors, across counseling agencies. Over ten years she has helped people facing anxiety, depression, relationship strain, grief, and low self-esteem. She also supports those dealing with caregiver stress, fertility concerns, midlife shifts, and career uncertainty.
In sessions Vanessa draws on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Gottman Method principles, and Trauma-Focused Therapy. She mixes direct skill-building with reflective conversation to address both thoughts and behaviors. Sessions may include goal setting, problem-solving, and practice tasks between meetings.
Vanessa describes therapy as a team effort. She listens for strengths and works with each person to set realistic steps toward change. If you want a practical, compassionate therapist who focuses on self-esteem and everyday functioning, she may be a good match.
How certain approaches translate to online care
CBT, or Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, focuses on identifying unhelpful thoughts and testing them with real-world actions. It is often used for anxiety, depression, stress, and self-esteem concerns by teaching people practical skills they can use between sessions.
The Gottman Method centers on communication and relationship habits. It helps people improve listening, reduce conflict cycles, and rebuild connection through structured exercises and clearer interaction patterns.
Motivational Interviewing is a conversational approach that supports people who feel stuck or unsure about change. It helps clarify personal goals and strengthens motivation to take small workable steps forward.
Finding the right approach is part of the process. Vanessa works collaboratively to match methods to a person's goals, needs, and preferences, and she adjusts plans as progress is made. The client and therapist decide together what feels most helpful.
Confirm current session options before booking since formats are not listed here. Online therapy can make scheduling easier and reduce travel time, which helps fit sessions into school, work, or caregiving routines. Some formats also allow shorter check-ins or audio-only conversations when that better suits someone's day. Ask about the available session types when you arrange the first appointment.