About Me
Angel has a really special way of making you feel safe, important, and like you and your journey really matter. And she is so real— she doesn’t hold back from encouraging growth but also has a genuinely empathetic and aware method that encourages the ups and holds space for the downs of healing. I can confidently say that her expertise and dedication to making a difference has impacted my life in such a positive way. The journey isn’t easy, and Angel has been such a great guide in my life; through the hard truths, encouragement, correction, and consistent effort to untangle my past and help set me on the path ahead with healthy tools, habits, and goals. I’ve had a history with different mental health professionals and it’s been life changing working with Angel because she really gets it and is able to navigate the nuances of my lived experiences and circumstances with safety, a healthy pace, compassion, and a healthy dose of comforting humor. I feel like I still have a long way to go… but it’s not so daunting when you have professionals like Angel— especially in conjunction with other medical professionals, healthy personal relationships, and a steady personal hope to keep growing and healing.
-Current client
After the passing of my husband, my youngest son had so much worry over my well being. He was very scared of the world and there were several things that would trigger him. I knew he had to have help. I am grateful that I found Manatee! Angel was the best, she had weekly sessions with him on how to cope and ground himself. I can say that the son I have now is nothing like he was when he began. She did a world of good for him. I can never express how happy I am that he knows how to sit with worry now. Thank you so much!
-Former parent/child clients
Testimonials
Angeleah Newsom, M.A.
LPC Associate
Supervised by Brittany Stark, LPC-S
BrittanyStark@getmanatee.com
Baking the Whole Pie
My journey to becoming a therapist was not a straight line, but rather a long process of gathering the right ingredients. For many years, I worked in other people's kitchens, following recipes that did not belong to me. Today, I finally bake the whole pie in my own sacred space at Healing Angels Collective. This metaphor represents the culmination of a lifetime of experiences, where every struggle and every victory has been simmered down into the wisdom I bring to my clients.
“Working with Angel has been amazing. I have been able to understand the why behind my feelings and instinctual actions and begin to question them. I have found a place of peace, grief, acceptance and so much more. Experiences do change you but you are always the guide and having that power has made a big difference. I also want to shout out because I am in a tight financial place and do not have mental health insurance and she has been so generous with me. I needed healing and she has helped me pave that path. Next I need to landscape and prune the weeds but one step at a time!”
A Diverse Path to Purpose
Before finding my calling in private practice, my career spanned a wide array of roles that taught me the raw truth of the human experience. I have been a produce factory worker, a daycare owner, and a personal chef. I have navigated the high-pressure environment of crisis work with the Mobile Crisis Outreach Team (MCOT) and performed hard physical labor in contract construction. I have even served as a Lyft driver, listening to the brief confessions of strangers in the dark. These diverse chapters were not detours; they were the training ground that allowed me to understand people from all walks of life.
A Result-Oriented Approach
At Healing Angels Collective, I move beyond traditional talk therapy. I believe that if you are struggling with intrusive thoughts or a dysregulated nervous system, you need relief now. My approach is deeply trauma-informed and integrates specialized tools such as EMDR, EFT Tapping, and somatic practices to help your body find safety and balance. We do not just talk about the problems; we work toward sustainable transformation.
My Personal Bridge to You
I do not sit across from you as a perfect professional, but as a fellow traveler. My own history is marked by significant trauma, including childhood abuse and complex family dynamics. I live with Aphantasia and Severely Deficient Autobiographical Memory (SDAM), which means I process the world through facts rather than mental images. This personal journey is the bridge that allows me to connect heart to heart with my clients. I understand what it means to feel broken, and I know the power of being called into wholeness.
Faith as a Foundation
My work is deeply rooted in my faith and the belief that every person is a worthy creation. I view my role as a mission placed on my heart to share the healing I have found through my personal relationship with God. While my practice is a safe space for the BIPOC and LGBTQ communities, my faith serves as a supportive and non-coercive foundation. I believe that bridging mental health care with spiritual growth is essential for true, long term transformation and peace.
Life Beyond the Office
When I am not in the therapy room, you can often find me engaging in my "Walking Testimony" project. I love taking long walks through the historic neighborhoods of San Antonio, pausing to admire the intricate architecture of Victorian homes and the vibrant beauty of native flowers. Nature and movement are where I feel most connected to the universe and where I find the peace that I wish for every one of my clients.
My Commitment to You
My promise to you is simple: I am committed to your progress. I will provide a non-judgmental, compassionate environment where you can finally stop performing and start living. You do not have to carry your burdens alone. Together, we will use the tools of modern psychology and the strength of the spirit to ensure your promise becomes your reality.
