The Counseling Cow, PLLC

Find yourself within your creativity.

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Hi, I’m Daniela Otoya, LPC.

Founder of The Counseling Cow, PLLC — a space for beautifully-sensitive adults who long to know themselves more deeply and heal old wounds through creative self-expression. Together, we use art, play, and imagination to move past the inner critic and discover who you truly are beneath the noise of self-doubt, perfectionism & fear.THE STRUGGLE:
You long to know yourself more deeply. To feel free in your own skin. To express what’s real inside you.But instead, you find yourself holding back.
You swallow your feelings. You silence your voice.
You hide parts of yourself, even from you.The inner critic is loud. The self-doubt is heavy.
Perfectionism tells you it’s safer not to try at all.
Fear convinces you that being truly seen would be too much.So you play small. You keep your spark dimmed.
And yet, somewhere deep down, you ache for more:
to connect with your authentic self,
to heal the old wounds that keep you hiding,
to finally express who you are, authentically, creatively, freely.

How I Work

This is therapy, but it’s not all serious faces and slow nods.
We’ll talk about the hard stuff but we’ll also laugh, play, and get curious together.I blend mindfulness, creative expression, and somatic, parts-informed approaches to help you:Notice and shift the patterns that keep you stuckFeel safer sharing your voice and ideasLet go of the pressure to be perfectReconnect with the spark you’ve been missingThis isn’t about “fixing” you.
It’s about creating a space where your quirks, your sensitivity, and your creativity & expression are not only welcome but celebrated.

What’s Possible

Imagine waking up without the constant tug-of-war between what you feel inside and what you allow the world to see.Imagine sharing your truth, whether in words, art, or presence, without that tightness in your chest that whispers, “What will they think?”Imagine no longer silencing yourself just to keep the peace… but actually feeling safe enough to show up as you.Through our work together, it’s possible to:

  • Speak your feelings without second-guessing or shrinking back

  • Loosen the grip of perfectionism and let your voice be “enough” as it is

  • Reconnect with your creativity as a tool for healing, not performance

  • Feel at home in your own body, instead of stuck in your head

  • Trust that your authentic self -sensitive, imperfect, beautiful- deserves to be seen

We’re not chasing “fearless” or “flawless.”
We’re creating a life with more room for your voice, your curiosity, and your joy, even when doubt still lingers.

Mindfulness

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.

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 Exploration & Play

You don’t have to be an artist to benefit from creative work in therapy. We might use metaphor, writing, movement, or playful exercises to help you express what’s hard to say. Play and curiosity aren’t just fun they’re powerful tools for loosening perfectionism and finding new perspectives.

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 – $200
Sliding scale available: $125–$150I currently work with clients through:
Private pay (superbills offered for insurance reimbursement)All sessions are virtual via HIPAA-compliant platform.You can book a free 15-minute consult to see if we’re a good fit.I don’t do cookie-cutter therapy. We’ll tailor our work to your goals and your nervous system. If you’re ready to heal while having fun, let’s connect.

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 strong matcha lattes, 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.

Ready to begin?

Here, there’s space to slow down, feel understood, and safely explore the parts of you that have been hidden: your emotions, your voice, your creativity, your authentic nature.If you’re ready to know yourself more deeply and express who you are with greater ease, self-trust, and freedom, this is where the healing begins.

🆘 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