The person
behind Brain &
Heart Healing.
Who I Am
I became a therapist
because every person
deserves dignity.
Whether you arrived here by choice or by court order, my job is the same — to hold a steady, non-judgmental space while we do the real work together. Your story matters. And so do you.
I hold a Master of Marriage and Family Therapy from Abilene Christian University and am currently completing my Ph.D. in Marriage and Family Therapy at National University, with a focus on advanced systemic interventions and anti-oppressive practice. I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist-Associate and Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor-Intern, supervised by Lisa Powell, Ph.D., LMFT-S.
Before founding Brain & Heart Healing, I spent years navigating the place where clinical care meets the legal system — as a Crisis Advocate with the Regional Victim Crisis Center, as an IOP Coordinator at Oceans Behavioral Hospital, as a Permanency Case Manager at 2INgage supporting families through reunification, and now as a Court Appointed Special Advocate for children in foster care. I have seen what happens when people fall through the cracks of a system that prioritizes compliance over compassion. That is why I built something different.
At Brain & Heart Healing, every approach is trauma-informed — not as a marketing phrase, but as a foundation. I draw from over 25 evidence-based modalities, selecting the tools that fit your unique story rather than applying a one-size-fits-all protocol.
I balance the Brain — neurobiology, behavioral tools, evidence-based interventions — with the Heart — attachment, relationships, and the deep relational work of healing.
Individuals, couples, and families navigating trauma, relationship challenges, substance use, anxiety, depression, and court-ordered clinical programs. Affirming care for all identities, backgrounds, and life experiences. Accepting clients ages 6–99.
Professional enough to be trusted by the court. Human enough to be felt by the person sitting across from me.
My Approach
The Brain & Heart Framework
Healing is not one-dimensional. I work both sides — the science of how trauma lives in the nervous system, and the relational depth of how we connect, rupture, and repair.
Neurobiological & Behavioral
Understanding how trauma rewires the nervous system — and using evidence-based behavioral tools to build new pathways. I draw from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Trauma-Focused CBT, Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), and Motivational Interviewing (MI) to address patterns that no longer serve you.
Relational & Attachment-Based
The deep work of understanding how we connect, protect ourselves, and learn to trust again. Grounded in Attachment Theory and Family Systems, I am trained in Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) and utilize Gottman Method Couples Therapy for relationship work. Because healing is rarely a solo journey.
Utilizing ACT · CBT · TF-CBT · DBT · Motivational Interviewing | Utilizing Gottman Method Couples Therapy | Trained in Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) | Grounded in Attachment Theory and Family Systems
Clinical Focus
Areas of Specialization
Individual & Relational Wellness
Anxiety, depression, life transitions, and emotional regulation for individuals navigating everyday challenges and deeper systemic wounds.
Systemic Family Therapy
Healthy boundaries, communication patterns, and family dynamics — including CPS-involved families working toward safe reunification.
Trauma-Informed Recovery
Specializing in sexual trauma, family violence, and complex trauma using neuro-informed frameworks that honor the body's role in healing.
Substance Use & Dual Diagnosis
Integrative treatment addressing co-occurring mental health and substance use concerns through an evidence-based, non-judgmental lens.
Forensic & Clinical-Legal Advocacy
Court-ordered clinical programs, CPS-involved cases, and documentation that satisfies court mandates — without losing sight of the human being in the process.
LGBTQ+ Affirming Care
Anti-oppressive, multicultural, and fully affirming care for all identities and relationship structures. You belong here exactly as you are.
Credentials
Education, Licensure
& Certifications
Education
- Ph.D. in Marriage & Family Therapy (In Progress) National University · 2024–Present
- Master of Marriage & Family Therapy Abilene Christian University · 2024
- Bachelor of Science in Psychology Abilene Christian University · 2021
Licensure
- Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist-Associate Texas #205804
- Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor-Intern Texas #72791
Supervised by Lisa Powell, Ph.D., LMFT-S
Regulated by the Texas Behavioral Health Executive Council (BHEC)
Certifications
Current Roles
- Founder & Clinical Director Brain & Heart Healing · 2025–Present
- Court Appointed Special Advocate Big Country CASA · 2025–Present
Professional Memberships
Rooted in the
Professional Community
Committed to ongoing learning, ethical practice, and the broader clinical and advocacy communities that shape the field.
Background
A Career Built at the
Intersection of Care & Advocacy
Founder & Clinical Director
Founded and directs a trauma-informed private practice specializing in individual, couples, and family therapy, court-ordered clinical programs, and clinical-legal advocacy for CPS-involved families.
Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA)
Conducts independent investigations into the safety and well-being of children in foster care. Collaborates with legal teams to provide evidence-based recommendations to the judiciary and authors forensic reports on child stability and best interests.
Permanency Case Manager & Mentor
Assessed family needs systemically to facilitate safe reunification, navigated complex child welfare regulations, authored court reports, and provided clinical mentorship to new case managers.
Crisis Advocate
Provided crisis intervention and advocacy services to survivors of sexual assault, domestic violence, and other trauma. Supported clients through hospital accompaniment, safety planning, and system navigation.
IOP Coordinator
Redesigned outpatient program structures to meet CMS compliance during the COVID-19 pandemic. Managed program planning, clinical audits, intakes, and complex discharge referrals.
Ready to Begin
Your story matters.
And so do you.
Whether you are looking for personal growth or navigating a legal requirement, a path forward with dignity and clinical expertise is waiting.