Professional Experience
I have a depth of experience as a former school counselor, with 12 years in Eanes ISD, as well as a clinical therapist at an inpatient treatment facility and in private practice. I have a diverse range of skills with individual and group therapy.
My unique background in schools allows me to collaborate with families and schools on things such as section 504 services, the special education process, testing, peer conflict and many other school related concerns.
I have also conducted a wide variety of staff trainings and parent workshops on topics such as: meeting the social and emotional needs of children, love and logic in schools and homes, parenting (variety of seminars), and giftedness (overexcitabilities) in schools and home.
Special areas of interest
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Giftedness
- Parenting
- Relational issues
- School problems
- Divorce
- Grief and loss
- Sexual abuse
- ADHD
- Perfectionism
- Peer conflict
- Other mood disorders & behavior concerns
- Issues with low self worth (shame & resiliency)
- Family communication
Education & Professional Certifications/Trainings
BA in Spanish from Stephen F Austin University
MLA from Southern Methodist University
M.Ed in Counseling from the University of North Texas
LPC: Licensed Professional Counselor
NBCC: National Board Certified Counselor
CDWF: Certified Daring Way Facilitator (Brené Brown)
CSC: Certified School Counselor
Specialized training
- Emotion Focused Family Therapy
- Parenting the Love & Logic Way
- The Nurtured Heart Approach
- Nature and needs of gifted individuals (and twice exceptional)
A little about me:
My husband and I are the proud parents of two remarkable children, Kyle and Ella. Parenting has been both the most rewarding and humbling experience of my life. Every day presents an opportunity to learn how to be okay with being imperfect and resilient. Some of the many things we enjoy are hanging out at the lake, going on bike rides, watching movies, and playing with our two dogs.
Listen to more via my interview on The Family Brain podcast: Connecting Families episode.
What do all the cacti on my website mean?
I grew up in deep South Texas and am fluent in Spanish. I love all things Latin American (especially Mexico). The cactus plant grows and thrives in harsh conditions. It symbolizes resilience. I am a certified Daring WayTM facilitator, and my favorite concept to teach people about is shame shields, which are the ways we defend ourselves from going into shame, and I think of the needles on cacti as their shields. These defenses are necessary and effective at times, yet they can make it challenging for people to experience the sweet taste and healing properties inside of the cacti. And lastly, cactus flowers symbolize unconditional maternal love.