We are enjoying getting to know our members through this question and answer format and would love to hear from you!  If you would like to be featured in a spotlight, please email us at houstonlpcassociation@gmail.com.

This month's spotlight is on one of our members, Sarah Shelton (Gallup).  Read on to learn more about her!

Tell us a little about yourself 

I'm a born and raised Texan, specifically from The Woodlands. I played soccer growing up, and still do today. I love music, nature, animals, food, art, being silly, and traveling. I have a big heart for serving and caring for others, and am learning to give myself that, too. I attended the University of Texas at San Antonio for my Bachelor's degree in Psychology, and the Abilene Christian University for my Master's degree in Counseling Psychology. 

How long have you been a member of HLPCA and why did you join?

I recently joined HLPCA, and felt it would be a good opportunity for networking and continuing education. 

Are there other populations you would like to work with or specializations you would like to pursue?

I recently opened my own private practice called Home Body Counseling, and am focusing on relational trauma and the disconnection it can cause people to have from their authentic selves, others, and the world, as well as the dysregulation it may create in their nervous system. I am planning to continue learning creative ways to use somatic experiencing (in my intermediate year of training), brainspotting, and codependency recovery to re-establish connection. I hope to get more training in expressive arts and yoga. Population wise, I would like to reach more millennials and help them become more functional, regulated, and connected adults. 

Tell us something about yourself other members may not know

I really like disco balls and funky music. I'm a cat lady and might meow randomly. I have a weird thing for pinecones and like collecting them. I'm half Italian, so I love all things pizza, pasta, and wine.

Board members Vanencia Lynch and Patti Lawlor represented HLPCA at The Walk for Mental Health -Houston on October 9, 2021. We provided community members with mental health resource information, and visited with graduate students and professionals about HLPCA. For more info or to donate to the cause, please visit www.thehoustonwalk.org/home/

My name is Danielle! I am currently pursuing my Master’s of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Houston Baptist University. I am expected to graduate in 2024. I am so grateful to be a recipient of the HLPCA scholarship award! As a graduate student pursuing higher education during a global pandemic, finances are becoming more scarce. This scholarship has catapulted my academic semester by removing financial constraints, making me one step closer to my degree. Thank you! 

My goal for pursuing this degree is to support individuals by counseling them to accomplish sustainable change for their emotional, mental, and behavioral wellness. As a survivor of domestic violence and sexual assault, counseling services supported and educated me to not only be a survivor but an overcomer. I chose to pursue a career in counseling because I wish to assist other young adults in navigating relationships, major preoccupations, individualism, and psychological concerns. Having experienced counseling, I aim to bring the same awareness to support other young adults in transitional stages. 

I chose HBU for my counseling degree because I desire to gain integrational knowledge for assisting individuals in addressing spiritual and religious issues. I believe it is crucial to learn accordingly to support clients to have a more unambiguous spiritual stance. In the Bible, Hosea 4:6 says, “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge.” I interpret “destroyed” to mean physically (I.e., relational issues, inadequate coping mechanisms, depressive moods & disorders, etc.); Not just eternal damnation. I noticed that most people in social and cultural contexts need assistance in overcoming faith and spiritual hindrances. Religion and spirituality are rooted in mental health disconnects. I hope to help others walk freely in their overall identity with the inclusion of faith.

"HLPCA is pleased to announce a new partnership with Mental Health Match, a free, personalized service that matches Houstonians to their ideal mental health professional.

Fully licensed and associate/student members are eligible for a discounted signup using the following codes: "HLPCA" for 20% off for 12 months and "HLPCAStudent" for 40% off for 12 months.

Interested HLPCA members are eligible for a two month free trial. Applicable discounts will apply if membership is continued beyond the two month trial.

If you are already a member of Mental Health Match, just email support@mentalhealthmatch.com in order to have your discount applied.

For more information visit https://mentalhealthmatch.com

We are enjoying getting to know our members through this question and answer format and would love to hear from you!  If you would like to be featured in a spotlight, please email us at houstonlpcassociation@gmail.com.

This month's spotlight is on one of our members, Helen Godfrey.  Read on to learn more about her!

Tell us a little about yourself 

I attended the University of San Diego, MA in Counseling, and the University of Oregon, BA in French. I’ve been in the career services field since 2000 and an LPC in Texas since 2014.

How long have you been a member of HLPCA and why did you join?

I joined in 2012 to connect with other professionals in the field. 

Are there other populations you would like to work with or specializations you would like to pursue?

My focus is career and life coaching as well as therapy for anxiety and depression. One reason I love counseling as a profession is because there is always something interesting to learn. I love being able to build upon the skills that I’ve already learned and always add something new. I am interested in so many topics but next up will probably be taking marriage counseling classes. 

Tell us something about yourself other members may not know

I was a Peace Corps volunteer in francophone West Africa for 3 years and I also lived and worked in Japan for 2 years. I love Earl Gray tea with milk; giving advice about cats to new owners; walking; worldbeat music; reading (especially counseling books as well as books about cultures. One of my favorite cultural books is Toujours Provence by Peter Mayle) and fine dining. 

We are enjoying getting to know our members through this question and answer format and would love to hear from you!  If you would like to be featured in a spotlight, please email us at houstonlpcassociation@gmail.com.

This month's spotlight is on one of our members, Marilyn Mooney.  Read on to learn more about her!

Tell us a little about yourself 

I attended the University of Houston-Victoria. My specialties are Clinical Mental Health, Addictions Recovery and Prevention, and Dual Diagnosis. I am an LGBT affirming clinician. My hobbies are aquatics, comedy, meditative walking, and public speaking.

How long have you been a member of HLPCA and why did you join?

I recently joined HLPCA to network, collaborate, and gain CEUs. You can reach me at marilynmooney@joanneketch.com

Are there other populations you would like to work with or specializations you would like to pursue?

I want to learn more about trauma and the use of EMDR.

Tell us something about yourself other members may not know

Adaptive aquatics have changed my life!

We are enjoying getting to know our members through this question and answer format and would love to hear from you!  If you would like to be featured in a spotlight, please email us at houstonlpcassociation@gmail.com.

This month's spotlight is on one of our members, Hazel Camilla Hill, M.A., LPC.  Read on to learn more about her!

Tell us a little about yourself. 

Native Houstonian and interests include traveling and fine dining.

Universities attended:  

Houston Community College System 

University of Houston-Downtown 

Liberty University 

email: sources.ma.lpc@outlook.com

How long have you been a member of HLPCA and why did you join? 

Professional Networking 

Are there other populations you would like to work with or specializations you would like to pursue?

Domestic Violence - Department of Family and Protective Services-BIPP Program 

Tell us something about yourself other members may not know.

 I find it difficult to make money  

We are enjoying getting to know our members through this question and answer format and would love to hear from you!  If you would like to be featured in a spotlight, please email us at houstonlpcassociation@gmail.com.

This month's spotlight is on one of our members, Olarewaju Theresa Adeboye.  Read on to learn more about her!

Tell us a little about yourself

I have a BA in English/Education in Nigeria. Currently in a graduate program for Clinical Mental Health Counseling track at the University of Houston, Main Campus. I work as a GED Instructor at East Side University community learning center, Houston.

How long have you been a member of HLPCA and why did you join?

I joined this association June 2020 and as an avenue of network. I hope to connect with colleagues, grow professionally by sharing and learning from the experiences of members.

Are there other populations you would like to work with or specializations you would like to pursue?

I would like to work in outpatient facilities such as Community Mental Health Clinics, schools and private practices.

Tell us something about yourself other members may not know

I am from Edo State, Nigerian, West Africa. I am a Nun of the Congregation of the Sisters of St. Michael the Archangel.

Ashley Hamm, LPC, CCATP is a past-President of HLPCA. She did an interview on dealing with Covid-19 stress and anxiety. Click here to watch. It's about 11 minutes.  https://youtu.be/-N5sFPzTeGo 

Programming update:

The HLPCA August 2017 program focused on the Netflix fictional account of suicide and the drama "13 Reasons Why".   Almost 2 years later, the effect of the drama on teen suicide rates are now evident. Please click on this link to read a story posted just this week by NIH discussing the seeming connection between 13 Reason Why, the media and teen behavior.  https://www.nih.gov/news-events/news-releases/release-13-reasons-why-associated-increase-youth-suicide-rates

The article concludes with "The second season of “13 Reasons Why” was released in May 2018, and a third season is currently in production and is expected to be released sometime this year. The findings from this study should serve as a reminder to be mindful of the possible unintended impacts of the portrayal of suicide, and as a call to the entertainment industry and the media to use best practices when engaging with this topic."