Meet Joana

Empowering Transformation Through Clinical Practice, Education, and Creative Resources

Hello, I’m Joana Cotto, LCSW-S, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and board-approved clinical supervisor in Texas. With 18 years of professional experience, I am passionate about helping individuals, couples, and families strengthen their emotional well-being, develop healthier relationships, and create meaningful change.

My clinical background includes work with adults and couples experiencing anxiety, stress, relationship concerns, emotional-regulation challenges, trauma, grief, and major life transitions. My approach is compassionate, strength-based, culturally responsive, and faith-informed.

I am certified in Dialectical Behavior Therapy (C-DBT) and nutrition and health coaching, and I am a Trust-Based Relational Intervention (TBRI®) Practitioner, with additional training in clinical trauma, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy for couples, and Solution-Focused Therapy.

Image of tree with four seasons

I also developed the Cotto Couples Growth Model™, a faith-integrated, clinically informed framework that helps couples reflect, rebuild trust, reconnect emotionally, and renew their relationship through every season of marriage.

My upcoming publications include Cotto Couples Growth Model™: Reflect, Rebuild, Reconnect & Renew Through the Seasons of Marriage — A Workbook for Growing Together, Deepening Love, and Building a Stronger Tomorrow, and Wise Women Skills™: Workbook for Healing the Heart, Strengthening Relationships, and Living with Purpose.

As a native Portuguese speaker who is also fluent in English and Spanish, I value creating resources that are inclusive, accessible, and responsive to people from diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds.

Currently, I am not accepting new therapy clients. This website highlights my clinical framework, upcoming publications, educational resources, and professional work.