Therapists serving clients in Richardson, TX

Hi! My name is Katie and I am a Licensed Professional Counselor in the state of Texas. I have been practicing since January 2011 and have worked with individuals of all ages, children, and couples presenting with many different life experiences. I obtained my Master's Degree from Texas State University in 2011 in Professional Counseling. My internship experience included a bereavement group and a center for families experiencing trauma. I have training in Trust Based Relational Intervention and Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. My primary treatment approach comes from Person Centered Theory and Narrative Theory. As a counselor, I aim to walk alongside my clients and their individual journey, whatever that may be while providing unconditional positive regard, genuineness, and authenticity along with support and insight. I believe that each person is their own expert, but sometimes professional help can assist persons in achieving their best self. I look forward to helping all those who are ready for their healing journey to begin!

My belief is that everyone has the capacity to change, confront challenges and grow each day. Therapy is a tool that can help people find their capacity to change. My counseling practice respects that power to change in each person. My counseling approach is rather eclectic involving both client centered and existential theory. I utilize a personalized approach combining interventions from Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT), Solution Focused Therapy, Trauma-Focused CBT, motivational interviewing and choice theory tailored to meet your individual needs. I am passionate about working with clients and helping them discover new, healthier ways to address their mental health needs. When appropriate spirituality is infused in the counseling process. Treatment is data driven and evidence based. I have experience working in hospital and community settings. Throughout my career, I have worked with children, adolescents and adults on issues such as ADHD, anxiety, depression, substance abuse and trauma.

I have over 20 years of experience working with cancer patients and patients with mental health issues. My background includes individual and group counseling, as well as crisis intervention. I have worked with patients from 12 years old to 80 years old. I have worked with issues that range from depression to schizophrenia. Regardless of the issue, worries, stressors that you are dealing with we, together, will design a treatment plan that will help guide you to where you want to be in your life. I take a holistic, open minded, therapeutic approach with all my clients. I wish the best outcome that you can imagine. Every treatment plan will be based on your needs - your goals. I do not believe that we all fit nicely into the same box. Everyone is an individual and walks their own path, that includes me. I have a very open view of religion and metaphysics. I can provide Spiritual Guidance when requested. I am working on a degree in Metaphysical science and on becoming an ordained minister. I do not believe in one religion over the other. I believe in helping you on your spiritual journey.

Hello! My name is Melissa Childers-White. I am very excited about the opportunity to collaborate with you on BetterHelp as you seek life changes. I am a Licensed Professional Counselor in Texas. Regarding my educational background, I was a Philosophy major at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, with minors in Psychology and Spanish. I also studied abroad for a semester each in Spain and in Denmark, and traveled in over 30 countries around the world - which has really helped me connect with other cultures, peoples and ways of life. My Masters in Counseling Psychology is from Trinity University in San Antonio, Texas, and included a counseling internship in medical, sex and cancer counseling. My goal in counseling will be to support you with empathy and without judgment to help you get to a place where you feel better, and to assist you in the solving of your challenges. We will focus on your inherent capacity to create your own growth and thrive and will develop a plan of action to meet your goals. My therapeutic approach is a holistic one where I blend elements from different approaches and tailor counseling according to each client’s unique needs. Tools like Socratic questioning, focusing on one's self talk Cognitive Behavioral Therapy can help you clarify your thinking, its origins, assumptions and then develop possible alternative viewpoints to provide forward movement. I feel that live sessions are a much better tool than text or chat for moving forward on issues. Together we will keep taking one step at a time, at a pace that you choose. I generally check messages on BetterHelp a few times a day between 10 am and 6 pm each day, Monday through Friday, (not on weekends). 10 -6 (CT) is also the time I have available for sessions. My toolbox for helping people has also benefited from a career path that has expanded outside of the traditional mental health pathway - helping me build problem-solving and communication skills and an out-of-the-box approach to thinking across a variety of fields. After a number of recent years spent pursuing a dream of mine to design and create art and run my own art studio - a very creative and intriguing endeavor that I will continue doing after hours - I felt strongly called to make more of a contribution to others again through counseling. I looked forward to returning to providing a compassionate ear, thoughtful feedback, and skills for patients to move forward in their lives. I’m fascinated to find that working with my local city government collaborating with others to tackle community issues, other volunteering in my community and children’s schools, my previous pursuit of art, my philosophy studies, my experience in travel/study abroad and my beginning to meditate as a college student all contribute to the thought processes I derive from my counseling foundation. I thoroughly enjoy the online platform for counseling and have found it to work well for my patients. My strengths are in the areas of Mindfulness, meditation, stress, anxiety, emotions, asserting healthy boundaries, self-talk and CBT, medical illness issues, sex and intimacy, cancer counseling, coping strategies, relationship/ divorce issues, motivation, self-confidence, depression, grief/loss, finding deeper issues at play, healthy lifestyle creation, life changes, positive psychology, communication skills, and coping strategies. My invitation to each patient to engage their brain to work with mine offers a synergy that patients appreciate and find helpful in their efforts to take responsibility for and improve their own mental health. I applaud your courage in reaching out for help with your current struggle and would love to be that counselor with whom you find a connection to help you create a more fulfilling and happier life. It would be an honor and a pleasure to work with you. Melissa Childers-White, M.A., L.P.C.

My name is Laura Salazar, and I am a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor for Illinois and Texas with over seven years of experience. You are the expert on your own life. I am an expert in helping you outline and achieve your goals. Therapy is intended to prepare you for working through your life's issues as they happen with empowerment and knowledge. I would be honored if you would choose me to provide you with the tools to build the kind of life you want to have. Together, we will create treatment plans outlining what you would like to accomplish in therapy. Based on those goals, I will use evidence based treatments that match with each goal. What I tend to use most often are Rogerian Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialetical Behavioral Therapy, Constructivism, and Art Therapy techniques. I have the most experience with depression, anxiety, stress management, grief/loss, trauma/abuse, self-esteem, intimacy/couples issues, and behavior change.

Hello! My name is Dana and I am a Licensed Professional Counselor in the state of Colorado and Texas. I truly believe that one of the bravest things anyone can do is begin to understand their own story. Hopelessness, depression, anxiety, racing thoughts, and emotional pain are just some of the issues many people feel overwhelmed by and struggle with on a daily basis. Oftentimes, people begin to accept these feelings as part of their normal life. As a therapist, my goal is to provide a safe space where clients can feel comfortable sharing their thoughts and feelings, disappointments, and fears without judgment. Everyone faces their own set of struggles, but that does not mean you have to face them alone. I graduated from Texas Wesleyan University with a Master of Arts Degree in Professional Counseling. I have worked in private practice with individuals that are struggling with depression, anxiety, substance abuse, domestic violence, relationship conflict, gender and sexual identity issues, LGBTQ+ issues, as well as personality, mood, and adjustment disorders. Prior to working in private practice, I worked in community health and provided therapy to individuals negatively affected by sexual abuse, post-traumatic stress disorder, anger management issues, bipolar disorder, self-esteem issues, and eating disorders. I work with adults and use an integrative approach to therapy. I encourage clients to express their feelings and help them develop insight into themselves and into their relationships with others. My belief is that each client is the expert on their own life. I believe developing a unique and collaborative approach to therapy provides the most favorable outcome.

I am Dr. Al Smith, and I am happy to share some information about me and my views of the counseling process. One of my passions in life is helping people find hope even in the most difficult situations. I have been working as a therapist for over twenty-five years, and I have been blessed to work with many individuals, couples, and families. You may have struggled with this decision to reach out for help, and I take that decision seriously and with a great deal of respect. I use a variety of approaches in my work as a therapist, and we will find the approach that is the best fit for you and the issues you are facing. I have a master’s degree in marriage and family therapy and my doctorate degree in psychology, and I am a licensed therapist in the state of Texas. I would be honored to work with you and help you find hope, healing, and solutions for whatever you are facing.

Demetrius Walton: Compassionate Counselor, Distinguished Veteran, and Skilled Pastoral Therapist He brings a remarkable blend of life experience, professional training, and inherent compassion to his work as a marriage and family therapist. He is a respected figure whose depth of experience is rooted in an impressive and multifaceted background. From a distinguished 26-year military career in the U.S. Army to his impactful service as a Federal Prison Chaplain, Walton's life is a testament to resilience, service, and compassion. He not only boasts a unique career trajectory but also a deeply ingrained commitment to fostering psychological wellbeing, familial unity, and personal growth. A keen advocate of solution-focused therapy, Walton's counseling practice foregrounds the importance of creating a collaborative client-therapist relationship. He assists clients in identifying their innate strengths and leveraging these to solve their problems. His focus on this therapeutic modality underlines his optimistic belief in each individual's capacity to devise and enact their own solutions when guided and supported adequately. Emotion-focused therapy is another pillar in Walton's therapeutic practice. He uses this approach to help couples and families understand and restructure their emotional experiences, a process that invariably promotes healthier relationships. His empathetic nature and emotional intelligence underpin his success in this area, helping clients navigate complex emotional landscapes and achieve relational harmony. Walton also integrates Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) into his practice. This approach allows him to address the impacts of trauma and anxiety-related disorders effectively, providing relief to individuals haunted by past experiences. His sensitivity and patience in this area of practice are testament to his holistic and person-centered therapeutic style. Notably, Walton's service as a Federal Prison Chaplain underscores his dedication to pastoral care and its integration into his therapeutic practice. He offers spiritual guidance to those seeking it, bridging the gap between psychological health and spiritual wellbeing. A proponent of cognitive-behavioral therapy, Walton skillfully helps clients understand the interconnectedness of thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. His expertise in this evidence-based approach aids clients in developing healthier thought patterns and more adaptive behaviors, fostering their journey towards psychological wellbeing. Lastly, Walton's Christ-centered approach is an integral component of his counseling philosophy. He fosters an environment where clients can explore their struggles and victories within the context of their faith, offering support that respects and incorporates their spiritual beliefs. In sum, Demetrius Walton is not just a seasoned therapist; he's a compassionate guide, a spiritual mentor, and an empathetic listener. His rich life experience, expansive therapeutic toolkit, and warm demeanor make him an exceptional marriage and family therapist, capable of helping individuals, couples, and families navigate their challenges and stride towards a fulfilling life. Demetrius Walton's educational experience is a Master of Science (M.S.) focused in Marriage and Family Therapy/Counseling from Texas A&M University–Central Texas. Doctorate in Ministry (D.Min) from Knox Theological Seminary. LMFT LICENSE # 204275

I'm an LPC, LCDC, and trauma informed therapist. I am certified in TF-CBT and EMDR trained. I look forward to meeting you and joining you in your healing journey by providing quality care. Whether you, your teenager or you and your partner are going through a difficult season of life or have experienced a significant trauma, I am available to help. When a client seeks support for themselves or loved one, that is the first step towards healing. I am available to provide therapy to adolescents, adults and couples who are struggling with a transition, life change, grief, depression, anxiety, trauma, abuse, relationships, school, work, or just need some additional support.

I am licensed in Oregon,Washington State and Texas with 23 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with coping with addictions, relationship issues, trauma and abuse, & sleeping disorders. I believe in treating everyone with respect, sensitivity, and compassion. I will tailor our dialog and treatment plan to meet your unique and specific needs. Taking the first step to sign up for therapy can take courage and I am proud of you for getting started!