

About Me

As a Licensed Professional Counselor and LPC Supervisor, I provide psychotherapy and consultation services in private practice for children, teens, adults and families from the Katy, Sugar Land, Fulshear, Richmond/Rosenberg, Sealy, and other West Houston suburban areas. As a therapist, I help clients identify personal goals and remove barriers that are keeping them from being the well-balanced, happy, and productive individuals they were meant to be and help them experience the satisfaction of knowing that they do have choices and control over their lives and well-being.
I have over 25 years of public school experience, providing teaching, coaching and counseling services to students and consultation support for parents, which puts me at a unique advantage for helping students and assisting parents to get the help and support their children and teens need. I have extensive knowledge of the developmental needs of students at all ages, and particularly for students with disabilities and those with emotional and behavioral challenges. As needed, I can assist parents with the procedures and actions required to access Section 504 and Special Education (IDEA) services for their student(s) in school. I also consult with eligible graduating high school students about their ADA/Section 504 rights in higher education institutions and how to access their accommodations, as they transition from high school to college or other educational venues.
I served many years on Crisis Intervention Teams in several public school settings and developed intervention procedures and training for district Administrators and support staff. I worked collaboratively with district and campus Administrators, support staff, and teachers to effect a safe and supportive environment to assist those impacted by traumatic events. As a Certified Clinical Trauma Professional, I have had significant training and experience in working with suicide intervention and prevention, trauma, crisis response, and "at risk" populations. I have received EMDR training (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) through EMDRIA, an International Association for EMDR therapy professionals, and I work with clients who have experienced trauma and other negative events in their lives.
In my practice, I utilize a variety of therapeutic approaches, including Client-Centered, Mindfulness, Solution-Focused, Cognitive-Behavior Therapy (CBT), Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), play therapy, and other approaches, as appropriate. I provide therapeutic support and meaningful feedback to help clients effectively process personal life changes and challenges. I integrate complementary methodologies and techniques to offer a highly personalized approach tailored to each client and their needs. I have also been trained as a Prepare/Enrich facilitator for couples and have completed the EFT Externship training for couples therapy.
To add to my professional and community experience, I have presented at several state conferences, to school district staff and general audiences on topics such as Behavior Management, Intervention Strategies for Students with ADD/ADHD and Implications for Classroom Management, Learning and Developmental Disabilities, Section 504/ADA Accommodations in Public Schools, Crisis Intervention In Communities & Schools, and Suicide Intervention and Prevention.


Education:
B.S. Degree - Elementary Education/Special Education, University of Oklahoma
M.Ed. Degree - Guidance & Counseling; Counseling/School Psychology, University of Houston, Main Campus
License, Certifications & Awards:
Licensed Professional Counselor - Supervisor (BHEC-TSBEPC)
Certified Clinical Trauma Professional (CCTP)
Certified Professional School Counselor; Administrator/Supervisor (SBEC-TEA)
Certified Special Education Teacher (LD/ID/ED) K-12 (SBEC-TEA)
Certified Special Education Counselor & Vocational Counselor (SBEC-TEA)
2013 Board Director of the Year - Mental Health America of Fort Bend County
Additional Trainings:
Crisis Intervention Training (NOVA & PREPaRE Emergency Response Models)
Certified Clinical Trauma Professional (CCTP)
Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT)
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)
BTTI- OCD ERP Training - International OCD Foundation (IOCDF)
Prepare/Enrich Couples Facilitator Training
Emotionally Focused Therapy Externship (EFT)
Professional Activities and Memberships:
American Counseling Association (ACA)
American Psychological Association (APA)
EMDR International Association (EMDRIA)
International Association of Trauma Professionals (IATP)
International OCD Foundation (IOCDF)
International Center for Excellence in Emotionally Focused Therapy (ICEEFT)
Texas Counseling Association (TCA)
Texas Mental Health Counselors Association (TMHCA)
Mental Health America of Fort Bend County (MHAFBC); Director 6 years (BOD)
MHAFBC Executive Board 2 years; MHAFBC Development Chair
Texana Community Advisory Board
Friends of Fort Bend Cares
Fort Bend Junior Service League
Houston Lifestock Show & Rodeo, Lifetime Member
HLS&R - WCBBQ Committee, Lifetime Committeeman