HCEFT is organizing a four-day training event in Houston for an Externship with Dr. James Hawkins from February 12 - February 15 for therapists to learn about Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) for couples. CEUs will be provided. See QR code below to register.

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, Bill Prasad.  Read on to learn more about him!

Tell us a little about yourself

I am expanding my practice and would like to add an LPC-A and/or an LPC. For the LPC, I will offer billing, office space and a virtual platform. For the LPC-A, I would add supervision to this package. I have a large, lovely office space in River Oaks where I do individual and group psychotherapy. I specialize in trauma and drug addiction along with doing critical incident response.

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

I joined about two months ago to be part of a forward-looking organization that will advocate for counselors and the people they serve.

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

I work with adults and continue to add to my knowledge in the use of EMDR, ACT and CBT. I would like to build my group therapy offerings. Currently, my wife and I (she is an LPC) run two groups in on Thursday evenings.

Tell us something about yourself other members may not know

My wife and I are rescue divers and have dived all over the world. My personal interests include instructing spin classes, baking bread and rooting for the Philadelphia Eagles. Go Birds!

The Scholarship application for the Fall 2023 semester award.is now available!

Scholarship is open to master’s level counseling students in their first advanced degree program.

This is a $500 non-renewable award. Consideration for any scholarship award is based on a point system including 3.25 GPA, must be an active HLPCA member, and have a completed essay attached.  

Please see the instructions and application below, and reply as appropriate. 

Don't delay. Applications close August 19, 2023

INSTRUCTIONS FOR FALL2023 SEMESTER:  

1. The deadline for Fall 2023 scholarship application: Saturday, August 19^th 2023   

2. Only completed applications will be considered. 

3. Attach a current copy of your unofficial college transcripts.

4. Attach a completed 500-word essay answering the questions on the application.

Email completed applications and attachments to houstonlpcassociation@gmail.org.  

APPLICATION FOR FALL2023 SEMESTER:

APPLICANT DATA

Name: 

Address: 

Phone Number: 

Email Address:

EDUCATIONAL DATA

College/University: 

Major:                               GPA:

Intended Graduation date: 

ESSAY QUESTION

What inspired you to pursue a degree in counseling, and what career path do you hope to have within the next 5 years?

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!