Our Therapists

I'm Susan and I have been practicing in the mental health field for over 20 years in a variety of settings.  I offer kindness, an open  mind, and creative and practical approaches to tackling  life's mysteries and stressors.  My career journey has been amazing, interesting, confusing, challenging, empowering, conflicting and yes, spiritual too!  I have worked with several populations, addressing a  wide variety of concerns such as addiction, depression,  anxiety, adjustment issues, marital stress, infertility stress, stress  management, anger, trauma, and grief. I believe that it is in life's challenges that we can grow and become spiritually enlightened, both  professionally and personally. When I am not engaging in therapy, I  enjoy time at home with my husband and two children  and two pets.  I feel much gratitude to engage in the work I do and  enjoy the family around me.  It would be my honor to join you on your life journey!   Susan  

I’m Linda and I am an individual very similar to you. I have participated in therapy to overcome divorce,  abuse, codependency, debilitating stress, and family issues. I continue to find my authentic self to be an individual  who lives to pay it forward. I have a BS in Psychology and  MS in Counseling Mental Health. I am a licensed both as a professional counselor (LPC) and a chemical dependency counselor (LCDC), and hold certification as a national counselor (NCC.) Using components of a variety of evidence-based therapies such as solution-focused therapy, reality therapy, holistic approach, CBT,  REBT, and 12 Step philiosphy,  my goal is to create a  proactive, positive, and life-giving experience for my clients.I want to be  the safe place and the objective sounding board to validate your  experience and support your journey to find your authentic self.    I look forward to working with you, this could be the  start of positive change and sustainable outcomes.   Linda 

Life is like the ocean, full of journeys and sights, as well as ups and downs. Sometimes the ups of life are really high, and the downs can be overwhelmingly down. Sometimes, we get in survival mode with the sole focus of surviving the downs that come our way. Our worries keep us from trying to thrive, and impact not only our lives, but the lives of others around us. In that process we forget that we can thrive and make choices that impact the ride we are on.

I want to help you build the skills to thrive no matter what comes your way in life. I offer talk therapy as well as experiential therapy. I am also a certified Equine Specialist in Mental Health and Learning so I like to explore the impact we have on others through relationships with horses.

You do not have to continue to merely survive from day to day in life, but instead learn to thrive and ride the waves of life’s ups and down knowing that you are capable of doing so. One of the hardest, yet most rewarding things you can do for yourself is to ask for help. I would love to connect and help you start the journey towards thriving.  

I received my Master of Social Work degree from Our Lady of the Lake University in 1993. I have worked full time in the field of psychology/social work since 1985. In that time I have worked in in-patient residential treatment, in-patient short term (30-60 day) treatment and various of out-patient programs with populations ranging from 4 years old ((I teach child forensic interviewing for the United States Air Force) to 85 years old. I have my clinical license in social work and am a board certified diplomate in clinical social work and clinical supervision. I have been an adjunct faculty for Park University since 1996 teaching undergraduate courses in social work, psychology and sociology.

My practice is client oriented in that I start where the client is and go where they identify as a good outcome for them.  I’m grounded in existentialism in that a client’s freedom is a primary component in their success in therapy.  I have an extensive background in cognitive and behavioral interventions and can augment those models to fit the specific client.  

A first session will be comprised of the client identifying what they want from therapy, what has worked for them in the past, what impediments there might be to them achieving treatment goals and what strengths they have that could help them as well.  The session would also cover a history of treatment to include what does and does not work for them in a therapy dynamic. The end of the first session would establish the roadmap forward to achieve their goals.

I am trained in a variety of Cognitive Behavioral Therapies that I can tailor to fit your personal needs. I’ll use your feedback to measure the effectiveness of the therapy and learn how to best support you. This type of counseling therapy offers ways you can learn to take the tools of therapy with you to benefit you beyond the times when we’re meeting together. 

I’ll take the mystery out of therapy work so that instead of being something that can only be practiced on you by a therapist, it can become something you can use in your life. This process starts with identifying the stress reactions, feelings, and inflexible patterns of thinking and doing that you may want help with and some initial listening and support to allow you to feel understood and accepted. Then, we’ll take steps to ensure that you have your own goal for what you want the therapy to help you with before we start to work with therapy tools. 

Because everyone is different, we won’t know which tools will work best for you at first, but you’ll find your own personalized way to recovery by trying them out. I can help you accept yourself, think and act with more flexibility, and experience your life fully. You’ll find ways to stick with behaviors or make changes so you can stay committed to being the kind of person you want to be in your life and to doing what matters most to you. Knowing symptoms can return, I’ll prepare you for how to keep from getting stuck again as you continue to grow and develop in the future.

  Shannon is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with over twenty-five years of experience.  She holds a license in both Virginia and Texas and enjoys working with individuals, couples and families.  She provides assessment, counseling, and support to clients who are facing issues involving relationships, addiction, illness, trauma, grief, and other changing life circumstances.  She is a caring, empathetic listener who assists her clients with finding their unique strengths that will allow them to navigate their path to healing.  She has lived, and supported people, around the world, and understands the role that cultural and personal factors play in each individual’s journey.  She understands complex family systems and enjoys empowering people by helping them cultivate the skills needed to realize their potential for living fulfilling and happy lives.

  Hello, I am Gloria Gitlin, a licensed professional counselor with forty-two years of clinical experience. I have experience working with Individuals, Couples, Families, and Minors who are facing Behavioral Issues, Emotional Disturbance, Family Conflict, Self Esteem, Spirituality, Anxiety, and many more. I use a mix of ACT, Adlerian, Christian Counseling, Client-Centered Therapy, CBT, CPT, Compassion Focused, Couples Therapy, Culturally Sensitive, EFT, Family Systems, Family Therapy, Group Therapy, Interpersonal, Jungian, MBCT, Intervention, and many more. I believe I could help others in distress and give peace in their situations.

My goal for you is to gain independence from external factors. These factors stem from our experiences and are not indeed of our own making. Once we figure out what is influencing your thinking and behavior, we can start working on the reality of these factors. And from here, start the trek towards freedom to your true self.

In counseling, we will consider your thoughts, beliefs, feelings, current relationships, past relationships, activities, behavior, feelings about others in your circle, etc., and, if you like, your spirituality. If this sounds like something you want to pursue, I would be happy to join you on your journey of self-exploration and discovery.

Candice began her career as a social work therapist at a psychiatric hospital in Abilene, Texas. When her family moved to New Mexico, she became school counselor and discovered that her passion was working with children. She has worked as a special education teacher and a kindergarten teacher. She has extensive experience working at the elementary, junior high, and high school level. As a school counselor, she helped students experiencing grief, trauma, anxiety, depression, anger, crisis, and suicide. She currently works as an Educational Diagnostician providing assessments and evaluations for students with learning disabilities. 

Candice received a bachelor's degree in Psychology/Sociology with a minor in Religion from Grand Canyon University. She received a master's of Science in Social Work from the University of Texas at Arlington and she has been licensed as a clinical social worker since 1991. 

After living in Arizona and New Mexico, Candice and her husband of 34 years now call Amarillo home. Their sons, Caleb and Joshua, are grown, but she never misses an opportunity to play with her grand-dogs, Jake and Lucy. 

 With all the uncertainty and change that life brings, we cannot expect to manage it all alone. Unresolved trauma, stress, anxiety, relationship issues, and depression are just some of the difficulties you might be facing right now. I am here to listen and help you through whatever you are facing. I offer a safe, judgment-free space for you to process and work toward resolving the issues in your life.  

With all the uncertainty and change that life brings, we cannot expect to manage it all alone. Unresolved trauma, stress, anxiety, relationship issues, and depression are just some of the difficulties you might be facing right now. I am here to listen and help you through whatever you are facing. I offer a safe, judgment-free space for you to process and work toward resolving the issues in your life.
I am passionate about the work I do and the people I serve. I am an eternal student eager to always learn more in order to better serve my clients. We all have experienced struggles in our lives and I strive to provide support through a non-judgmental and curious approach in order to help each client with their unique experiences.

I invite you to take control of your self care and work toward resolution and peace of mind.

I specialize in treating children, adolescents, adult, and geriatric individuals who are dealing with a wide range of mental health and co-occurring substance use issues. In graduate school I completed the dual-track for community and school counseling. I have worked in both in-patient and out-patient intensive and urgent care facilities for the treatment of addiction, anxiety, depression, family issues, and trauma.

My guiding theory is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). CBT is utilized to help individuals understand how their thoughts and/or feelings impact their behaviors. The exploration of how an individual’s thoughts shape their comprehension and perception of life events will guide them into making the necessary positive change behaviors. 

  Hi – I’m Melissa Ishio. I am a licensed clinical social worker. My therapeutic style is to come along side of you and walk with you on your journey. Being your best self starts with recognizing your strengths and utilizing them to address challenging areas in your life. I believe we are all spiritual beings and it is important to tap into our spiritual beliefs and value systems when addressing struggles in our life.

I have worked with different populations such as veterans, active duty military personnel and their families, older adults, and survivors of domestic violence, etc. I have experience with crisis intervention, trauma-informed care, EMDR, suicide intervention, and teaching parenting skills. My objective is to utilize therapeutic modalities which best help you to achieve your goals. 

My own family is bi-racial, bi-national and bi-lingual and I have lived overseas for about 1/3 of my life. We are a chosen family in that our children are adopted. Therefore, I understand the issues and concerns involved with bi-racial families and adopting children. I have a BSW, MSW, MPPA and PhD from Baylor University. I consider it a calling to be able to work in the profession of social work and a privilege to work with you. 

  Derrel is a licensed clinical social worker supervisor specializing in complex PTSD, trauma, and dissociative disorders including DID. He is a certified EMDR therapist who treats trauma, depression, anxiety, and various other issues. He has 18 years experience working with individuals from age 15 to 65. He retired from the Waco Center for Youth after 10 years of working with adolescents, has worked in a dialysis clinic, and has been in private practice since 2014. He has successfully worked with individuals struggling with PTSD, depression and anxiety in relieving symptoms. He also uses Ego State Therapy and EMDR for Dissociative Disorders. Derrel believes strongly in the therapeutic relationship which can foster change through support, encouragement, and empowerment.

Derrel received his bachelor’s degree from Baylor University majoring in social work, and his MSW from Baylor specializing in children and families. He received his EMDRIA certification in 2020.

 Allison is a licensed professional counselor and offers faith-based therapy. Do you want to find out what is at the root of your behavior and emotions? Allison can help guide you in identifying and unraveling the cause of what is keeping you from being your best self.  

Outside of treating clients in her private practice, Allison has experience working veterans, victims of trauma and domestic violence, and individuals struggling with addiction. addicts and their families,  helping clients get the help they need to return to a healthier self.  

Allison graduated from Prairie View A&M. When she is not seeing clients, Allison enjoys spending time with her family and friends. 

  I like to think of life as L.I.F.E.--Living Inspired with a Future of Encouragement !  It is possible in any situation to reach a place of serenity and peace after experiences of depression, anxiety/stress, trauma, grief, addiction, and/or other mental disorders/illnesses.  When we have physical ailments, we take medications, consume proper nutrition, and exercise our body.  Just as well, we need to take care of our mental health through proper therapy/counseling.  I've helped clients through tough times when they had no hope for nor any thought of a positive outcome.  I am here to guide you, and together we can work to get you to a healthier place mentally, emotionally and spiritually.  I use an array of therapeutic modalities, depending on my client's situation, and desire(s) for outcome.  I have helped clients with Major Depressive Disorder, Schizophrenia/Schizoeffective Disorder, Bipolar Disorder, Borderline Personality, PTSD, addiction, and the list goes on.  I am culturally diverse, as well as having worked with the LGBTQ population.  I love doing what I do, because I help people just like myself.  During one  of my toughest times, I used one of the best tools I learned early on in therapy--journaling.  The outcome?  My published, fictionalized biography "The Prison Book...Alcoholism/Addiction:  A Life Sentence".  I would be honored to work with you in your journey of healing and finding peace and joy in your life.  Thank you, and God bless! 

 Brandon is a licensed professional counselor EMDR certified therapist. He specializes in treating adolescents and adults who are dealing with a wide range of mental health issues. He sees clients struggling with addiction, depression, anxiety, family issues, trauma, and major life changes. 

"You are worth it and I am listening."

In addition to traditional counseling, Brandon offers EMDR in a virtual setting.   EMDR is most often connected with trauma recovery, but has been linked to helping a wide range of other behavioral health issues. 

 Counseling has always been my passion for over 24 years. As a pastoral counselor, I have helped individuals, couples, families, inmates, law enforcement officers, clergy, youth, and many others who have struggled with their own unique circumstances and disorders. It has been a joy to see people experience relief and freedom from problems like stress, worry, financial and time mismanagement, hopelessness, fear, depression, anxiety, etc. I now sense God's call to serve others as a professional, clinical, Christian counselor while continuing to help people experience healing in their mind, emotions, body and soul.  

William is a licensed clinical social worker.  Prior to becoming a social worker, he served in the U.S. Marines as an infantry rifleman.  After being honorably discharged, he earned a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology/Social Work and a Master of Social Work degree at Texas Tech University.  

He has worked primarily in inpatient psychiatric settings and specialized in working with clients diagnosed with major depressive disorder, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and personality disorders.  He is also experienced in assisting clients to recover from substance abuse, trauma, and anxiety.  

William takes a non-judgmental approach to counseling and psychotherapy that integrates elements of psychodynamic, person-centered, cognitive behavior, and solution-focused therapy elements to empower clients to overcome their unique challenges.  

 Sandra is a licensed professional counselor who specializes in CBT, DBT, and Trauma-Informed Care, with some person-centered theories, as well.  

She works with kids ages 10-17 (male and female) including working on anger management, family issues, and social skills.  She prefers that the parents also be in therapy to encourage whole family healing. She has experience working with children and parents involved with CPS cases. 

She also works with adult clients and specializes in:

· Military veterans with PTSD and other mental health issues stemming from service, including military sexual trauma (men and women).

· All addiction issues as well as MAT clients (men and women)

· Men and women transitioning from prison life to civilian life.

· All mental health issues. I prefer that the client is receiving mental health treatment or monitoring with a psychiatrist concurrently.

· Adult anger management

· All types of traumas