Testimonials

“Don’t ever discount the wonder of your tears. They can be healing waters and a stream of joy.  Sometimes they are the best words that the heart can speak.”  – William Paul Young

My goal is to provide a safe and supportive environment for you.  My role in therapy is to be with you, to share in your experience and to help you achieve your own resolution and  inner peace. Our relationship is built on trust, compassion and understanding all of which are the foundation in developing a successful treatment outcome.  

I utilize a collaborative approach to therapy with the emphasis in having my clients develop and implement a solution.  I also incorporate evidence based practices to initiate growth and healing including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Dialectical Behavior Therapy. 

I specialize in Women’s issues, Depressive and Anxiety Disorders and trauma.  I have experience working with PTSD, loss and grief, eating disorders, self-esteem issues, substance abuse, family conflict and codependency. 

Noelle is a dual licensed clinician as a licensed professional counselor in both the states of Florida(#10802) and Texas (#72283).  She received her Bachelors of Science Degree in Psychology form the University of Central Florida and her Masters of Science Degree from Florida Atlantic University in Mental Health Counseling.  Noelle has over 17 years of experience working in the mental health field. In the past she has worked as a primary mental health therapist at a substance abuse treatment center and has worked as a clinical supervisor for a women’s extended care program in South Florida. Noelle has also been trained in EMDR to treat symptoms associated with PTSD, phobias, loss and grief. 

It is always a privilege and an honor to witness authentic and lasting change in my client’s lives. My priority as a therapist is to create a warm, non-judgemental, and safe environment for clients to process their emotions, relationships and experiences. You’ve made it here, which means you have already taken action for change.

As a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist Associate, I’ve been trained to walk alongside couples and individuals through the most difficult seasons of life. I use evidence-based practices such as Emotionally Focused Therapy and The Gottman Method to help partners uncover underlying emotions and communicate more effectively for connection, compassion, and caring. Research shows that EFT typically helps 70-75% of couples move from distress to recovery, and over 90% of couples report significant improvement. I am passionate about working with couples and assisting with identifying the deeper roots of their struggles, so that each partner can get what they need and the couple can rebuild from the ground up.

Maria is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist Associate (#204415) in Texas supervised by Elise Thompson (#200800) and Jennifer Kendall (#203322). Maria graduated from the University of North Texas with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and earned her Master of Science in Marriage and Family Therapy from Texas Woman’s University. Maria is a trained Save Your Marriage Before It Starts (SYMBIS) Facilitator and has completed the Level 1 Gottman Training as well as an EFT Externship. Some of her specialties include working with individuals, couples, premarital counseling, life transitions, depression, anxiety, among others. Maria is bilingual, speaking English and Spanish fluently.

I know how hard it can be to desperately want to change your life but be unsure what direction to take. I think we all have a longing to grow and connect. I am a down-to-earth person who thinks that humor, compassion, and connection are some of our most precious gifts. I use a person-centered approach to counseling where I focus on first getting to know you, your struggles, unique perspective and individual strengths. I then use my expertise as a counselor to help you harness those strengths and increase your personal power to reach your goals and have the types of relationships you want. Oftentimes we become mired in the constraints that society (and ourselves) places on us; Forgetting that we are capable of turning thought into reality! With our powers combined, we will be unstoppable!

I have worked with children, individuals (5-90+), families, and groups from all walks of life in different settings (private practice, residential, outpatient, and school) across the United States. I have a wide arrange of experience with various mental health issues including (but not limited to) trauma, family issues, parenting, mood disorders, issues related to aging, sexual behavior problems in adolescents, relationship issues. I also have knowledge of evidence-based techniques through my training in Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Family Centered Treatment, Nurturing Parenting Philosophy, and Accelerated Resolution Therapy. I have a personal and professional background working with military families as well. I am an Army wife of 15 years. I began my career working with military families at Fort Carson Army Community Services. (Go Army!)

Alexis is a Licensed Professional Counselor Associate who began in the mental health field when she graduated with her M.A. in Community Mental Health Counseling from the University of Colorado in 2011. Previously, she obtained a B.S. in Psychology from Texas A&M University in 2006. She is currently in the data collection phase of her dissertation on Historical Trauma and Resilience in the African American community from Adams State University’s Counselor Education and Supervision program. Her doctoral degree will be conferred May of 2023. She teaches master’s level counseling courses as an adjunct for her university. Through her clinical work, she strives to increase awareness around mental health to help people across the U.S. lead happier, healthier lives; and to educate the next generation of culturally aware, competent and compassionate counselors.

Just when the caterpillar thought the world was over, it became a butterfly. – Chuang Tzu

Going to therapy is an act of self-care and self-love; a courageous gift we can offer ourselves. Whether you’re experiencing a crisis or looking for that something more, I can help you bridge the gap between where you are today and where you wish to be in your life.

I thrive on cultivating relationships and having deep, meaningful conversations that make a difference for others. I am a stand for people having it all and living a life they love. I believe in our capacity for change should we be willing to embrace the struggle, confront our pasts, heal our wounds, and come to face our truest selves. Only from a place of self-acceptance and love can we truly create the lives we imagine.

I believe that we are all on a lifelong journey of becoming perfectly imperfect, that anything is possible that we are willing to work towards, and that we are all capable of choosing, re-choosing, and creating our preferred futures.

Humanistically-existentially-person-centered trained, I hold a positive view of the human being; one in which he is the expert and change-agent of his life, the focus is forward-focused and together we co-create his reality, bridging the gap between where he is and where he or she wishes to be, integrating more directive approaches as needed to bring about deep, meaningful, and lasting positive change.

I am grateful to be engaging in this delicate and important work of supporting others in their lives; of cultivating meaningful relationships, holding safe space, and helping individuals, couples, and families thrive. You can have the life you imagine, and I am pleased and honored to walk beside you as you journey there. Thank you for trusting me.

Dr. Birk is a Licensed Professional Counselor Associate in Texas (#88706) under the supervision of Mary Mayorga, PhD, LPC-S (#18031). She graduated from Saybrook University with a PhD in Psychology, Amberton University with a Master’s in Professional Counseling, and Michigan State University with a Master’s in Human Resources. She is Prepare/Enrich certified, which is the most widely validated and utilized premarital counseling curriculae in use today. She is also a PCI Certified Parent Coach® with a former private practice in Dallas where she supported families dealing with divorce, fertility issues, learning differences and other parenting challenges, as well as led parent-education seminars and women’s empowerment groups. A former Pastoral Care Director for a local non-profit, Dr. Birk has also worked with grief, loss and end-of-life issues. Dr. Birk is also fluent in Hebrew and is happy to offer therapeutic services in Hebrew.

When we sit down together, my first step will be to understand. I want to know what makes you you. Whether you is just you, you and your partner, or the whole family, I want to understand what you have seen and what your experiences have been. How have those experiences affected you, and how you have withstood your challenges? Most importantly, I want to understand your wants and needs. Working together, we will then talk about your preferred future, and how you might make that future your present reality.

My approach to psychotherapy and the healing relationship is informed by a variety of professional and personal experiences. As a GM with Fortune 500 big-box retail companies, I coached and counseled individuals and teams for many years, helping them overcome obstacles, realize potential, and achieve success. As an educator living and working overseas, I broadened my awareness and appreciation for ways of life much different than my own. My spiritual journey led me to study theology at Brite Divinity School, then to an interest in Eastern traditions, including yoga and meditation. My practice as a counselor and therapist lies at the intersection of Western science and Eastern wisdom, integrating and complementing each with the other.

Michael holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of Texas and a Master of Science in Marriage & Family Therapy from Texas Wesleyan University. He is currently working towards a Master of Arts in Psychology at American Public University. He has Level 2 Training in Gottman Method Couples Therapy and is a certified yoga instructor. He practiced integrated behavioral health care during his internship at JPS Health Network, working in partnership with the medical doctors and psychologists of the Family Medicine unit and the Oncology & Infusion Center. In his practicum at Texas Wesleyan Community Counseling Center, he specialized in individual and couples counseling to clients from diverse cultural and socio-economic backgrounds. Michael is a Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist Associate (#204508 ) in Texas supervised by Dr. Mike Bishop (#302).

I believe that healthy relationships are key to living a happier and more fulfilling life. However, there’s no denying that relationships are hard, and sometimes even a little bit messy at times, especially when life throws unexpected obstacles our way. Relationships are complex, whether it be the relationship you have with yourself, or the ones with your parents, siblings, partner, family members, friends, or co-workers. Maybe you are having a hard time being kind to yourself, or you’re feeling overwhelmed, discouraged, or stuck. Perhaps you are feeling disconnected, frustrated, or unappreciated in your relationships. Or you might be on a journey of personal growth or seeking to strengthen your relationships, but you are not sure where to start. I view therapy as a space for clients to seek growth, explore helpful solutions, and cultivate meaningful relationships. I help individuals, couples and families connect with themselves, with others, and with the things that bring purpose to their lives to create lasting change. As a therapist, I believe you are the expert on your life, and I am simply the expert on creating change; we can work together to reach your goals.

My therapy style is collaborative and person-centered, meaning that I strive to meet you wherever you are in your mental health journey. I practice from an integrative perspective and draw from a combination of modalities to best meet your needs and goals. I promote growth by providing a safe, culturally inclusive, and LGBTQ-affirming space for you to feel seen, heard, validated, and empowered to create the change you are seeking.

Dr. Moore is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (#204246) in Texas. She graduated from Southeast Missouri State University with a Bachelor’s in Family Studies, from Purdue University with a Master’s in Marriage and Family Therapy, and from Saint Louis University with a Ph.D. in Medical Family Therapy. She has experience working with adults, couples, families, and youth from diverse backgrounds who have faced many of life’s challenges, including depression, anxiety, complex trauma, grief, chronic illness, parenting concerns, relationship issues, and more. She has specialized training in Medical Family Therapy (MedFT) working with patients, their primary care providers, and other medical professionals in the doctor’s office and hospital settings. In her role as a MedFT, she evaluates the mind-body-behavior connection to health management and provides brief behavioral interventions for patients working through a variety of physical health concerns, chronic illness, and/or disease. She has worked in a variety of other settings including community mental health, higher education, as well as in-home and in-school therapy. Dr. Moore is also EMDR trained for work with trauma and recovery, and a current member of the American Association of Marriage and Family Therapy.

Change is inevitable, so I encourage you not to get stuck in the rut while life passes you by. Come to therapy and find an optimal you.  If you’re looking to change yourself or just know yourself better, having someone to guide you or process with you can be the path you’re looking for. I have a relaxed and accepting approach that will allow you the comfort and space to share and grow.  Mental health is important and needs to be managed whether you have a mental illness or not.  Recovery and excellence are possible.  I’d love to be part of your journey or catalyst for change.

Amy is a licensed marriage and family therapist in Texas (#203377). She received her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of Southern California where she attended on Athletic scholarship.  Her master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy is from Northcentral University.

Amy has worked in a DFW psychiatric emergency room and outpatient clinics as an Intensive Outpatient (IOP)and Partial Hospitalization Programs (PHP) therapist.  This has given her experience with severe mental illness and an intensive recovery process.  She has worked with both adults and adolescents in these settings.  Amy also has experience in couples and family counseling from both private practice and hospital settings.  In private practice settings she has experience with a variety of cases. This includes mental illnesses, crises, people looking to process themselves and their experiences, and people wanting to promote optimal functioning.

At its core, participating in therapy is an act of courage. I believe that a willingness to examine your life and your relationships honestly is the best way to figure out what works, what doesn’t, and what areas need attention. Often, a clear-eyed examination of your life and your relationships with those you love will turn up not only areas that need work, but also areas of strength, ability, and resilience. I love helping individuals, couples, and families identify the things they do best, then apply those skills to areas of their life that need help.

No relationship is perfect, and room for improvement is found wherever there is imperfection. I’m not afraid of conflict and facing difficulties head on. I firmly believe that doing better—getting better at being a part of a family or a couple—is within reach for every couple who is willing to try. I reliably focus on process over content; that is, it’s not what you’re arguing about, it’s how you argue. Conflict is unavoidable, but treating each other with gentleness and respect is a skill that can be learned and developed, and I am here to help.

Nancy Rosenberg is a Licensed Marriage and Family Associate in Texas (#204353) under the supervision of Don Zablosky (#5226). She graduated from Texas A&M University with a BA in English and History and earned her Masters degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from Amberton University. She has experience working with individuals, couples, families, and groups, with an emphasis on relational difficulties, coping strategies, boundaries, life transitions, and grief. She is a certified Prepare/Enrich premarital method facilitator and member of the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapists (AAMFT).

Rosenberg is the author of four books, including Outwitting Stress—A Practical Guide To Conquering Stress Before You Crack (2003), and she has written for Fitness Magazine, Health & Fitness Sports Magazine, and The Dallas Morning News. Rosenberg is an award-winning mosaic artist. She and her husband have been married for 32 years and have two grown daughters.

I believe therapy is not just for the hard times, but for the growing times. My goal as a therapist is to walk alongside you and help you grow with every step. Let’s take the first steps together and learn more about each other.

I use an eclectic approach combining genuine compassion with models such as The Gottman Method, Emotionally Focused Therapy, and other evidence-based practices. I view our emotions to be at the core of how we act and interact with others. Throughout our sessions we will explore and learn more about what makes us tick and how to accomplish long-lasting change. Every session is tailored to fit the interests and needs of the client as we work together in a safe, warm, and collaborative space.

Brooke is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist Associate (#204179) in Texas under the supervision of Angela Funke (#291661). She graduated from Baylor University with a Bachelor of Science in Family and Consumer Science, and then she obtained a Master of Science in Marriage and Family Therapy from Texas Woman’s University. She is Prepare Enrich certified, which is the most widely used and researched premarital curriculum in existence. Brooke has also completed Level 3 Practicum Training in Gottman Method Couples Therapy, one of the most empirically-supported forms of couples therapy used today. She has worked with individuals, couples, families, and groups with diverse backgrounds such as depression/anxiety, grief, relational conflicts, and many others.

I believe that therapy can be beneficial and transformational for anyone. We seek connections with others, we experience changes in our lives, and we deal with unusual circumstances that can overwhelm us. Therapy helps us identify patterns and find strategies to change them or create new ways of being and relating to others to help us achieve our goals. I see my role as a therapist as collaborative and nonjudgmental. I strive to maintain a warm, culturally sensitive environment that still challenges you to explore and make necessary changes that we identify together.

I practice mainly from a cognitive, humanistic, and interpersonal perspective and integrate evidence-based practices to meet the individual needs and goals of each client.  This means that I believe how we think about our emotions or situations determines the choices we make.  I believe that the goal of the therapeutic relationship with my clients is to help you achieve lasting change. We will work together to create a plan based on your unique and specific needs.

Emily Clark, LCSW LCDC has been a licensed clinical social worker for 6 years. She has trained and worked in a variety of settings including residential facilities, higher education, inpatient, partial hospitalization, intensive outpatient, and private practice. She graduated with a master’s degree in social work from the University of Texas at Arlington. She also has a bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of North Texas, and a bachelor’s degree in secondary education from Baylor University.

Emily’s specialties include treatment of active duty and veteran populations and their families, individuals and couples counseling in PTSD and trauma, relationship issues, caregiver stress, women’s issues, and sexual health. Ms. Clark is also a member of the South Texas Research Organizational Network Guiding Studies on Trauma and Resilience (STRONG STAR), a multidisciplinary and multi-institutional research group to develop and evaluate effective interventions for combat-related posttraumatic stress. Emily is also Prepare Enrich certified, which is the most widely researched and utilized premarital program.

We don’t have to do it all alone. We were never meant to.
— Brené Brown

The quote above drives my work as a therapist because I believe that we need the help and connection of others to thrive; and that is where I fit into the picture. As an LMFT-Associate I am trained in relational systems and have the ability to help individuals, couples, and families to create and maintain connections that bring joy and belonging into your lives. Studies show that people with deep and meaningful relationships have better mental and physical health than those who lack those relationships, which is why I am so passionate about working with you to make sure those relationships are healthy and happy.

I practice mainly from the therapy lenses provided by Contextual Therapy and Solution Focused Therapy. This means that I believe that having context and background into issues, relationships, and ourselves is an important place to gather understanding and then once we have that understanding, we can move to a place where we use that context to find solutions. That being said, I believe that the therapeutic relationship with my clients is the most important component to creating effective change, so I meet my clients where they are and create a plan on a case-by-case basis to best meet your unique and specific needs.

Megan Pardy received her Bachelors of Arts degree in Psychology with a minor in Human Development and Family Studies, as well as her Masters of Science degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from Texas Tech University. Mrs. Pardy is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (#202912). She is experienced in running Pre-Marital workshops and is trained in the ‘Great Start’ Pre-Marital Curriculum as well as the most widely used and proven curriculum, Prepare Enrich. She previously interned at Hospice of Lubbock providing grief counseling and running grief support groups. Mrs. Pardy also interned at Texas Tech University’s Counseling Center providing individual and couples counseling to a wide range of clientele. Mrs. Pardy spent several years working with families offering family counseling and parenting skills with a program under the Family and Youth Services sector of the state government. Her specialties include individual and couples counseling, premarital counseling, life transitions, anxiety and stress reduction, female empowerment, LGBTQIA+ counseling, grief and loss, coping skills, and parenting skills.

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What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson

Whether it’s events in the past that have left you scarred, events in the future that are giving you anxiety, current problems with relationships, or all of the above, I believe what’s within you is what matters most. That is how I approach therapy.

My training has been with individuals, couples, and families. I have learned to be flexible and creative when working with families so that I can connect with all ages. I work to change how the whole family experiences one another, allowing all family members to feel more connected and consequently more open and trusting. With couples, I use Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), which emphasizes understanding and communicating emotional experiences with your partner.  Often couples think it’s a communication issue but the problem often goes much deeper. My goal is for you both to feel safe enough with each other to turn toward each other in times of need and strengthen your bond.  With individuals, I use a blend of therapies including mindfulness. Ultimately I want to help you optimize the way you think, feel, and even breathe in order to feel less overwhelmed by stress and emotion, and more confident to navigate life’s challenges. The style of therapies I use are evidence-based, meaning that studies have shown them to be effective. That’s important to me as a therapist because I want to know I am providing you the best help I can.

Ingrid Kepinski is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist Associate (#203610) in Texas under Dr. Sean Stokes’s (#4983) supervision. She graduated from the University of North Texas with a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology, the University of Texas at Dallas with a Master’s in Applied Cognition and Neuroscience, and from Texas Woman’s University with a Master’s in Marriage and Family Therapy. Ingrid Kepinski has completed an externship in Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy and received training by Connie Cornwell who was trained by EFT’s creator Dr. Sue Johnson and Gail Palmer. She completed her internship at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center’s Family Studies Center, where she worked with diverse couples, families referred by various local and charter schools, and clinical populations referred by psychiatrists and other clinics at the hospital. Ingrid Kepinski has worked in research and has been published on studies exploring substance dependence and personality, substance dependence and neural substrates, and chronic pain and opioids. She has collaborated on research studies exploring various topics including psychopathy, attachment, racial experience, and hormonal impact on behavior. She is a member of the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT) and Society of Neuroscience (SFN).

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I can be changed by what happens to me. But I refuse to be reduced by it.
— Maya Angelo

Sometimes we can get thrown into changes we weren’t ready for: a personal or family member with a medical diagnosis, an unexpected death of a loved one, struggles with infertility, or relationship challenges. Maybe the change is welcomed: a recent engagement or marriage, the birth of a child, graduation, or a child moving on to college. Regardless of whether these changes are expected or unexpected, wanted or unwanted, I am confident that together, we can embrace these changes in the midst of our joy or grief and become our own resources when we learn new ways to approach the issue or the situation. This is the heart of my therapeutic approach. I believe individuals, couples, and families have the ability to change—sometimes they just need some assistance to do so. With almost 20 years of experience working with couples, individuals, and families, I have helped many clients obtain the tools necessary to improve their lives. I am ready to walk with you on your journey and look forward to discovering ways which strengthen your approach to life’s changes. I’m experienced in working with: grief/loss, spirituality, premarital/marital, parenting, discernment counseling, children/adolescence, coping skills, infertility issues, depression, and stress/anxiety.

Dr. Hunter is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (#203169) in Texas. She graduated from the University of Mary-Hardin Baylor with a Bachelor’s degree in Religion, received a Master of Divinity (MDiv) from Truett Seminary at Baylor University, and has a Ph.D. in Family Therapy from Texas Woman’s University. She brings a history of experience working in the church where she did pastoral counseling, premarital counseling, and led parenting and couple’s classes. If applicable, she utilizes her clients’ faith and spirituality, whatever they may be, as useful tools to aid in the change process. She has worked with all ages ranging from preschool to senior adults. She also specializes in discernment counseling, a process for helping couples make a more informed decision about whether they want to work on the relationship or end the relationship. In addition, her background as a hospice chaplain has familiarized her with the challenges that come with bereavement, grief, and loss in a variety of different family situations. She is also a certified facilitator of Prepare/Enrich, the most widely used and validated premarital assessment and training program.

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One of the most important features of life is conversation. Through conversation we form and reform our life experiences; we create and recreate our meanings and understandings; and we construct our realities and ourselves. When possibility is enhanced… we can take the necessary action to address what concerns or troubles us.
— Harlene Anderson

Relationships and interactions with others and the environment serve to shape the narrative of our lives.  Each relationship, each interaction, each experience can be seen as an important part of our system – our story.  By understanding the different chapters of our story and how they connect to the narrative of our life, we can better understand ourselves and the beliefs we have formed from our experiences.  Then, we can access our strengths and inner resources to add meaning and context to our lives.  

The foundation of my therapeutic approach is collaboration.  It is my role to facilitate conversation and guide the process to help you access your strengths and attain self-agency.  In the therapy process, we will build upon your expertise; we will work together as a unique system; we will collaborate together to create meaning, understanding, and possibilities; and we will be an active part of the transformation of your life narrative.  

I specialize in relationship and communication issues, substance abuse, codependency, and trauma.  I have experience in working with: anxiety and depression, premarital and marital issues, life transitions, family conflict, and self-esteem.

Lily Ha is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (#202496) in Texas. She completed her Master’s in Marriage and Family Therapy and doctoral coursework at St. Mary’s University in San Antonio, Texas.  She has completed training in International Collaborative Practices from the Houston Galveston Institute and training in EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing) Therapy.  Additionally, Lily is a trained facilitator in the Twogether in Texas curriculum and is a certified facilitator of Prepare/Enrich, the most widely used and validated premarital assessment and training program.

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I believe psychotherapy should be a transformational experience. We often get stuck in patterns of relating and being that, at one time, were adaptive and protective, but no longer help us to be our best selves. Psychotherapy helps to understand those patterns, develop strategies to disrupt them, and create new ways of being and relating that get us closer to our personal and professional goals. I strive to create an environment that is warm, nonjudgmental, collaborative, culturally sensitive, and challenging enough to explore and make necessary changes in areas of your life that we identify together as being important to address. I am an integrative therapist and draw from humanistic, cognitive behavioral, mindfulness, and interpersonal modalities to help clients achieve symptom relief and lasting change.

Dr. Jennifer Fast was initially licensed as a clinical psychologist in Illinois in 2011 and has been a licensed clinical psychologist in Texas since 2018.

She has trained and worked in a variety of settings including higher education, community mental health, and residential facility. She graduated with her doctorate in clinical psychology from the Illinois School of Professional Psychology and a bachelor’s degree in psychology and classical studies from Loyola University-Chicago. Dr. Fast’s areas of specialty include treatment of adults, young adults and adolescents, LGBTQIA+, trauma, crisis assessment, group psychotherapy, clinical supervision and training, and community/organizational interventions. She provides treatment from a feminist and humanistic framework and integrates other evidenced-based interventions to meet the individual needs and goals of clients. She is also trained and practices Discernment Counseling for couples on the brink of divorce. Dr. Fast views psychological and cognitive assessment as an empowering experience for clients and as an important adjunct to psychotherapy.

Before making Texas her home, Dr. Fast served as Assistant Dean of Students and Director of Health and Wellness at Lake Forest College. She was active as an area chair for the National Association of Student Affairs Professionals in Higher Education; served on the Lake County Sexual Assault Prevention Consortium; and served as a consultant for the Lake Forest/Lake Bluff Wellness Task Force. She has presented nationally on sexual assault prevention in higher education and clinical supervision and training as well as providing trainings on diversity and identity, management and leadership. Dr. Fast also treated individuals and couples in a private practice setting.

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As a therapist, my goal is to support you in achieving greater self awareness, building stronger relationships, and healing from past wounds. I approach my clients with compassion and empathy and I am dedicated to providing a safe space for individuals, couples, and families seeking deeper and more nourishing connections. I recognize that stressful and traumatic events can occur throughout life, often impacting our physical and emotional well being. I also believe, given the right tools and insights, we can explore these events and find ways to work through challenges and live a more authentic and meaningful life.

I practice from a person-centered, trauma-informed framework. I enjoy working collaboratively with my clients, meeting them where they are, and creating goals that support their current needs and hopes for the future.

When working with couples, I take time to understand their perspectives, and I aim to identify areas of strength as well areas where the couple could integrate new habits and tools. I utilize research-based approaches such as Gottman Method Couples Therapy and Emotion Focused Therapy (EFT) during the sessions, in hopes of creating opportunities to increase connection and manage challenging or toxic interactions. While working with families and individuals, I integrate traditional psychotherapy methods with experiential tools found in art therapy and mindfulness-based therapy. I believe in the mind body connection and have seen how powerful art can be in externalizing and processing difficult trauma narratives. I am also trained and experienced in utilizing a therapy technique called EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) with survivors of trauma; EMDR is a method of psychotherapy that is proven to be highly effective in significantly decreasing emotional distress after a traumatic event and can be effective in the treatment of complex trauma, phobias, anxiety, and PTSD.

Mrs. Elizabeth Amaro received a BFA from Southern Methodist University and a master’s degree in marriage and family therapy and art therapy from Antioch University Seattle. Mrs. Amaro is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist as well as professional artist. Mrs. Amaro forms her work on identifying and implementing culturally relevant, systems-focused interactions using her extensive training in art and trauma therapy. She incorporates her formal art training and experience as well as evidence-based therapeutic practices to meet the needs of diverse populations. Mrs. Amaro has also worked extensively with couples, families, and survivors of childhood abuse and sexual assault at the Dallas Area Rape Crisis Center as well as the Dallas Children’s Advocacy Center. Throughout these collective experiences, she has witnessed the power of art and mindfulness as effective tools for safe healing from trauma, victimization and other life issues. She is also bilingual and speaks both English and Spanish fluently. Her areas of expertise include trauma/post-traumatic stress, depression, anxiety, life transitions, stress reduction, marital conflict, postpartum anxiety and depression, and managing life’s challenges. She has extensive training and experience in virtual therapy and currently only has virtual sessions available.

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I specialize in treating couples and individuals with relationship issues. Whether you’re married, living together, or dating, I’m experienced in helping people just like you. Or maybe you’re divorced and need help co-parenting, I work that population too. I am trained in interpersonal relationship dynamics and processes. I’ve conducted research on couples and would love to help your relationship thrive. I help people reconnect with their partner, rekindle the passion they once had, and redefine their relationship moving forward. I work WITH clients instead of for them. Your goals are my goals and I have the training and experience to assist you in meeting those goals.

Dr. Stanford is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (#202565) in Texas. He graduated from Texas A&M University with a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology, Nova Southeastern University with a Master’s in Marriage and Family Therapy, and from Florida State University with a Ph.D. in Marriage and Family Therapy. Dr. Stanford is an adjunct professor for the marriage and family therapy program at Texas A&M – Central Texas and Pepperdine University, teaching courses in family theory and couples therapy among others.

Dr. Stanford is a certified service provider for Twogether in Texas, a trained facilitator of the Prevention and Relationship Enhancement Program (PREP), and a certified provider of Discernment Counseling. Dr. Stanford also has training in couples therapy, sex therapy, sexual abuse and trauma, and play therapy. Dr. Stanford has interned at the Brief Therapy Institute in Fort Lauderdale, the Center for Couples and Family Therapy at Florida State University, Healing Transitions: Creative Counseling for Children and Families, Inc., and S.U.P.E.R.B., an anti-bullying program. Dr. Stanford has conducted research on romantic relationships, specializing in the effects and aftermath of infidelity. Dr. Stanford is also a clinical fellow of the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT) and a former Member at Large on the Board of Directors for the Texas Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (TAMFT).

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