As a licensed therapist in WA State, Oregon, and Texas I bring nearly two decades of compassionate clinical experience supporting individuals through diverse life challenges. My approach is deeply personalized, honoring each client's unique journey and identity. I specialize in addressing complex emotional landscapes, including depression, anxiety, relationship dynamics, trauma recovery, and grief. My therapeutic practice centers on creating a supportive, non-judgmental environment where clients can explore their experiences, develop resilience, and cultivate meaningful personal growth. I'm committed to understanding the nuanced intersections of individual experiences, offering tailored guidance that respects each person's cultural background, personal values, and emotional needs. Drawing from evidence-based practices, I help clients navigate challenging transitions, heal from past wounds, and develop healthier communication and coping strategies. Whether you're confronting workplace stress, relationship difficulties, life transitions, or seeking deeper self-understanding, I'm dedicated to walking alongside you with empathy, expertise, and genuine care.

I am a psychotherapist in private practice in Houston, Texas. My goal is to provide my culturally diverse clients with the best personalized mental health assessment and care. I go the extra mile to work with my clients, to help them to make the best life decisions that would not only meet their individual emotional needs, but also enhance their overall adjustments. My clients benefit from my 30+ years of multinational and multicultural professional experiences and trainings. I deliver my services with utmost humility, and with the ultimate purpose of meeting the needs of my clients. I am easy to talk with, and I provide a relaxed atmosphere for comfortable therapeutic engagement. My humanity finds expression in the compassion, empathy, patience, and care that I extend to my clients. With the belief that one cap does not fit all, and that what works for client A may not work for client B, I go eclectic and tailor my therapeutic approaches to accommodate individual differences while maintaining all therapeutic standards and clinical competences. I use my knowledge of various evidence-based and solution-focused treatment options to meet my clients’ mental health and emotional needs. As a teacher, I am passionate about your education and academic success. As a mother, I feel your pain and that of your child. As a wife, I can relate to your interpersonal relationship issues. All these, coupled with several decades of professional training and experiences, provide me with the expertise, tools and skills needed to navigate your problems with you. As an immigrant with multicultural training, I understand my clients issues from their cultural perspectives. I have a broad clinical experience with immigrants and refugees from Mexico, the Caribbean, El Salvador, Cuba, Brazil, Haiti, Somalia, Liberia, Eretria, Ethiopia, Nigeria, Cameroon, Ghana,…… I am here to guide you and walk with you on your emotional journey Work Experience I started my career as a core faculty member at the University of Nigeria. For over 12 years, I taught undergraduate and graduate level courses in counseling, coordinated counseling programs and curriculum development, supervised counselors in training, provided guidance and counseling services to members of the university community, attended professional conferences and institutes, presented numerous informative papers at conferences and institutes , and published several professional articles. I have been in private practice in Houston, Texas for over 17 years, following five years of intense clinical internship. Education/Training: My professional training and experience are interdisciplinary, spanning the broad areas of Education, French, Language Arts, Counseling and Management. I obtained my post graduate degrees from University of Ibadan, University of Nigeria, and Harvard University. I also spent a year of language training at Université de Nice in France. Specialized trainings: National Certified Counselor (NCC) by National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC) Certified Clinical Mental Health Counselor (CCMHC) by National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC) Post-doctoral training in Psychology with focus on Clinical Assessment, Walden University. Specialized training in Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT) at 
Beck Institute for Cognitive Therapy and Research in Philadelphia under Aaron and Judith Beck Trauma and Disaster Mental Health with Red Cross Foundation. Counseling in the Virtual World: Tele-Behavioral Health. American Counseling Association (ACA). Licenses Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), Texas, 2003-Date. Licensed Professional Counselor-Supervisor, Texas- Active. Professional Affiliations I am affiliated with many professional organizations and, to maintain professional competence, I constantly engage in professional workshops and trainings with, and make presentations at some of these organizations. American Counseling Association American Mental Health Counseling Association International Association of Marriage and Family Counselors Association for Multi-cultural Counseling and Development Texas Counseling Association Counseling Practitioners’ Round Table of the International Association for Counseling; an organization with focus on improving global mental health and well-being.

Hi and welcome! Congratulations on taking that first step to seek help. I have done that in the past, and I know it can be a little scary. So I am happy that you have reached out. I am a Licensed Professional Counselor and I have been practicing since 1996. I love working with others to create a trusting and collaborative relationship where we find workable solutions. I will have the highest respect for you and your well-being. This comes from a deep commitment to helping others find peace and joy in everyday life. My counseling has taken me to some amazing places. I have been blessed to work with many people in very different environs. These include community-based counseling with clients experiencing emotional disturbances and trauma of various sources, abandonment trauma, domestic violence, HIV-AIDS, homelessness, family disruptions, grief and loss, and long-standing problems from early childhood abuse and neglect. I've worked with chemically dependent clients, both outpatient and in clinical and correctional facilities. My private practice clients have included those with concerns that may require only short-term solutions and those that require longer term therapy. These clients have needed to work through grief and loss, relational difficulties, early childhood abuse and its effects, life situation adjustment struggles, anxiety, depression, addiction, and compassion fatigue. I look forward to getting to know you and getting started together.

I have worked in the human service industry for over 10 years. I have experience working in a nursing home setting with the residents, as a social worker. I worked in a community mental health setting while finishing my master’s degree. This provided me with a wealth of experience in dealing with child, adolescent, and adult mental health problems. I enjoy working with clients of all ages and genders. I feel that my strength lies in helping people with depression and anxiety, along with addressing issues with self-esteem, stress management, and ADHD. Currently, I am working as a special education counselor and raising my three daughters with my husband. My approach to therapy is a person- centered cognitive behavioral approach. I believe that clients are their own experts, but at times, we struggle in knowing what steps to take for our own well being. I also believe that having a healing , therapeutic relationship is a crucial key in taking ownership in your mental health journey.

Hi, my name is Tamara Jones-Thompson, I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with over twenty years of experience in building a client driven approach to providing direct services. I have a strong belief in creating an non-judgmental environment where my clients will feel comfortable with open expression of thoughts and feelings. Thank you, for choosing me to assist you on your journey towards self-discovery.

Hello, I am Gary Ward. I am a native Texan, am married with four adult children and ten grand children. I received my Masters in Professional Counseling in 2008 and went on to complete a Doctor of Ministry degree in Pastoral Counseling . During those years, I received three counseling licenses, and LPC, LMFT and and LCDC. I spent ten years in ministry working with families and individuals, and fifteen years in public education working with high schoolers coping with learning difficulties, and their families. I believe that though all of us have wide scope of relationships, nevertheless we are individuals with our own needs. Counseling is personal and I will treat everyone with compassion and respect. Though I am a Christian, my approaches to therapy are diversified and are applied to your needs and situation. I will help you connect with your strengths and abilities and work with you to find the outcomes your are seeking. Everyone of us is on a journey, has an ongoing story. Improving is a process. Making positive changes is very much possible. I look forward to meeting, hearing your story and coming along side and helping in any way I can.

I am a professional counselor/therapist (LPC) licensed in the state of Texas with over 6 years experience providing clinical mental health assistance to diverse groups of individuals and ethnicities and have also worked for over 10 years as an academic/success coach providing educational and career guidance. My counseling philosophy is to build a meaningful therapist-client relationship of mutual trust and acceptance as I help you navigate the challenges you're experiencing. I have worked with diverse individuals and ethnicities experiencing a variety of life's challenges such as stress, anxiety, depression, marriage and family issues, infidelity, infertility, trauma, domestic violence and abuse, violence from a conflict zone, unforgiveness, shame and guilt, crisis of religious faith, anger management, career and academic challenges, coping with life change, work related issues, among others. My primary therapeutical orientations are cognitive behavior therapy, solution focused and choice theories. But I am able to integrate other theories base on the situation at hand. Life is full of challenges, therefore you need not walk it alone. As your therapist, I want to get to know you, build a meaningful client-therapist relationship with you and be that individual who will come alongside to listen and provide the needed assistance to help you navigate life's challenges and live fully. I am excited and passionate about helping people and I look forward to working with you.

Hello, I’m a licensed clinical social worker and PsyD with a specialty in mental health practices. I have over 20 years of diversified experience working with all age groups and demographics. I tailor my therapy approach based off the assessment of the client and establish the appropriate treatment modality in conjunction with the client. Therapy is to alleviate symptom reduction and to attainable treatment goals. I describe myself as an eclectic therapist, laid back, straightforward with gentle sensitivity based on case circumstances. I want my clients to see a relatable person, I am not a textbook therapist. It is my passion to work with others in the midst of their crisis to guide them to a safe place for healing and recovering from recurrent patterns of disruptive and dysfunctional behavior.

I am licensed in Texas with 3 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with anxiety disorders, relationships, attachment, grief & motivation, self esteem, and confidence. I work with my clients to create an open and safe environment where thoughts and feelings can be shared without fear of judgment. It takes courage to seek out a more fulfilling and happier life and to take the first steps towards a change. I am here to support & empower you in that journey.

I am licensed in Texas with 13 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, lgbt-related issues, trauma and abuse, motivation, self esteem, and confidence. My approach is person-centered; the client leads the way in self-discovery and personal awareness. I believe that you are the expert of your story and that you have many strengths that will assist you in overcoming things that challenge you. It takes courage to seek out a more fulfilling and happier life and to take the first steps towards change and growth. I am here to support and empower you in that journey.

I am licensed in Texas with experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, coping with addictions, relationship issues, & motivation, self esteem, and confidence. I work with my clients to create an open and safe environment where thoughts and feelings can be shared without fear of judgment. Taking the first step to sign up for therapy can take courage and I am proud of you for getting started!

Hi, I am KT. I have over 20 years of university teaching and working with a variety of individuals as a licensed professional counselor (LPG). To name a few of the challenges they wanted to address: anxiety, stress, relationship/communication issues, anger management, resiliency, survivors of sexual trauma and abuse, self-development challenges, aging, and/or existential issues. I see myself as a member of your growth team. I believe we all can grow, improve, and celebrate throughout our life spans, if we are willing to do some work. Flexibility is important. We will set goals and revise them as needed, utilizing science-based treatment strategies as we work to help you. There is no cookie-cutter answer. You should gain coping skills and strategies to help your growth. I collaborate with my clients to create an open and safe environment where thoughts and feelings can be shared safely without fear of shame or judgment. I am an LGBTQ+ ally, respectful of spirituality, diversity, and culture. I describe myself as a lifelong learner who is caring, sensitive, and empathic, and I am in awe of people's courage and hope. I know it is difficult to reach out and talk with a stranger the first few times, but it is worth the effort. Take good care. Karena T. Valkyrie, PhD, LPC (TX) "KT"

As a licensed therapist in Texas, I specialize in supporting individuals navigating complex emotional landscapes, with a particular focus on stress, anxiety, and self-esteem challenges. My professional approach centers on helping clients, especially older adults, develop deeper self-compassion and resilience. Drawing from my training and experience working with veterans and individuals processing posttraumatic stress, I create a compassionate, non-religious therapeutic environment where clients can explore their inner strengths and healing potential. I believe in empowering individuals to reconnect with themselves, build emotional confidence, and develop meaningful strategies for personal growth. My commitment is to provide thoughtful, personalized support that honors each client's unique journey and helps them cultivate greater self-understanding and emotional well-being.

I am licensed in Texas with 33 years of professional work experience. I believe that you are the expert of your story and that you have many strengths that will assist you in overcoming things that challenge you. It takes courage to seek out a more fulfilling and happier life and to take the first steps towards a change. I am here to support & empower you in that journey.