I am a counseling psychologist who is licensed in the state of Texas (no. 36135) and practices in the Dallas area. I received my M.S. in Community Psychology from Lamar University in 2003. I then went on to work at a juvenile correctional facility for several years assisting youth offenders with chemical dependency concerns and their families before furthering my education. I earned my Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology from the University of North Texas Counseling Psychology Program, an American Psychological Association (APA)-accredited program, with a specialty in couple and family psychology.
I provide therapy to mid-late aged adolescents and adults across the lifespan. In addition to providing numerous evidence-based (i.e., scientifically supported) psychotherapies to address a broad range of emotional and relational difficulties, I also specialize in:
• Anxiety/Mood Difficulties
• Relationship Concerns
• Grief/Loss
• Trauma
• Infertility and reproductive trauma
• Pregnancy and postpartum anxiety and depression
I advanced my expertise in these areas through my predoctoral training experiences at the University of North Texas Psychology Clinic, the UNT Counseling and Testing Center, and the Dallas VA Medical Center. Moreover, I completed my Predoctoral Internship and Postdoctoral Fellowship at the VA North Texas Healthcare System. Before going into private practice in 2014, I worked as a staff psychologist serving Veterans at the Dallas VA Medical Center in an outpatient mental health clinic. My job duties included conducting psychological assessments, counseling Veterans and their partners/spouses/families, supervising trainees, and teaching. I continue to serve military service members, Veterans, and their families through the Give An Hour organization, a non-profit organization which provides free mental health services for U.S. military personnel and their families affected by the current conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan. For more information about this organization please visit their website at giveanhour.org.
I became interested in infertility when I experienced my own unexpected difficulties starting a family, giving me a deep personal understanding of fertility struggles. I understand the emotional, medical, psychological and relational aspects of infertility and pregnancy. I am a professional member of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine, the International Marce’ Society for Perinatal Mental Health and RESOLVE, the National Infertility Association.
In addition to my private practice, I am also an adjunct faculty member for the psychology department at UNT where I supervise graduate doctoral students in their therapy and assessment work as well as teach courses on adult psychopathology.
I have been married for over two decades and I have two children, a lovable Labradoodle, and three crazy cats. In my spare time, I enjoy reading, planning Disney vacations, watching The Great British Baking Show and most televised cooking programs, and spending time with family and friends.
Derek is currently pursuing his doctorate in Counseling Psychology, specializing in sport and exercise psychology, at the University of North Texas (UNT). He earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Marywood University, a master’s degree in counseling from Syracuse University, and a master’s in business administration from the University of New Mexico.
Derek has experience providing clinical services at the UNT Psychology Clinic, UNT Counseling and Testing Services, and the UNT athletic department. He has worked with adults of various backgrounds and identities for multiple concerns, including anxiety, depression, obsessive thoughts/behaviors, inattention, relationship issues, trauma, adjustment to college, and emotional/behavioral dysregulation. In addition, he has provided performance enhancement and mental skills training services to athletes at various levels of competition as a sport psychology consultant.
Derek values the therapeutic relationship created in therapy and works collaboratively with you to create a safe and open environment. He has received training in multiple theoretical orientations, including cognitive-behavioral, emotion-focused, and psychodynamic, but is primarily influenced by Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). Derek’s approach to treatment is strength-based and focuses on helping you live a more purposeful life. In addition, he enjoys reading, exercising, and being with his family in his free time.
Maddie is pursuing her doctorate in Clinical Psychology at the University of North Texas. She has worked with clients of diverse backgrounds and identities, ranging from mid-late adolescents to adults across the lifespan, to help manage symptoms of trauma, depression, and anxiety. Maddie has also worked with clients to address concerns such as isolation and loneliness, postpartum depression, emotional avoidance, low self-esteem, role transitions, multicultural and identity concerns, relational concerns, and building distress tolerance. She also prioritizes multicultural knowledge and humility. She remains sensitive to integrating and adjusting to cultural factors and different aspects of clients’ identities that may influence therapy and the therapeutic relationship.
Maddie views therapy as an open, non-judgmental, and safe space to process one’s experiences, thoughts, and emotions, as well as a space to develop tools and skills to better address the problems in one’s life. She also places particular focus on developing a strong therapeutic relationship based in warmth, empathy, compassion, and unconditional acceptance. Maddie strives to help clients understand and connect with themselves, their loved ones, and their lived experiences in better, healthier ways. Through a collaborative therapeutic style, she meets clients where they are and works with them on attaining their goals, recognizing she and her clients both bring their own expertise into the therapy room. Although Maddie takes a relational and emotion-focused approach to therapy, she acknowledges the need to tailor treatments to the client and enjoys integrating various evidence-based interventions (e.g., cognitive behavioral therapy, acceptance and commitment therapy, dialectical behavioral therapy, interpersonal therapy). In her free time, she enjoys traveling, watching Netflix, being in nature, and spending time with her partner, family, and friends.