Counselors

Greetings! My name is Jacqueline Higgins and I hold a Master of Science degree in Counseling from the University of Houston-Clear Lake campus. I am a Licensed Professional Counselor and also work as a school counselor for the alternative school (DAEP) in Angleton ISD. In addition, I taught high school science for 21 years. I have been married for nearly 30 years and have 2 grown children. I love spending time with my family, traveling and reading. I am also an active member of my church and work with the middle school ministry and serve as an intercessor for our prayer team.

I have always had a heart to help people who were hurting and let them know that they are valued and that they have purpose. My approach to helping others is to listen non-judgmentally, care genuinely and speak truthfully within a safe and supportive environment. Most individuals hold the answers to their problems within themselves—sometimes it just takes someone to listen and help bring those answers to their awareness. I employ Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Person-Centered Therapy and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (Mindfulness) as the primary counseling styles to cause change and solve problems within the lives of my clients.

My areas of expertise include:

· Adolescence
· Anger Management
· Anxiety/Stress
· Career Counseling
· Christian Counseling
· Conflict Resolution
· Depression
· Grief/Loss
· Self-Esteem
· Social Skills/Relational Issues

I hold a Master’s degree in professional counseling from Amberton University in 2015. My counseling experience includes working in a hospital setting with children, teens, adults, and geriatric clients. Outside of an institutional setting, I have worked with teenagers and young adults struggling with dual diagnosis issues that include depression, ADHD, ODD, Obsessive compulsive disorders, and bipolar disorder while battling addictions. My primary focus in counseling has been working with children that have struggled with trauma as well as working with children with disabilities adjust to new living situations due to CPS placement, changes in foster care, and adoption. Additionally, I have done group work with adolescents in mixed gender groups, teen girl only groups, adolescent groups, bipolar women groups, and addiction education groups.
I have spent 33 year ministering with children in a Christian setting that includes counseling, teaching, and mentorship. In 1991 I began teaching elementary school with after graduation Sam Houston State University with a Bachelors of Arts degree in Teaching. In 2001, I became certified in Special Education grades Pre-K through 12th grade. My work as a teacher has been focused on elementary level students in the general education setting as well as elementary, middle school, and high school students with special needs. My special areas of focus include disabilities that include communication deficits that include non-verbal communication, picture-communication, and electronic communication devices used primarily with children the autism spectrum. I have additionally spent time providing in-home training for families with children with disabilities.

Areas of licensing, certifications, and degrees include:

Master’s of Arts in Professional Counseling
Licensed Professional Counselor
Bachelor of Art in Teaching
Provisional Elementary Education Self-Contained Certification grades 1-8
Provisional Elementary Education English grades 1-8
Generic Special Education Certification grades pk-12

My areas of expertise includes:

ADHD
Autism Spectrum Disorder
Family Counseling
Family systems
Children issues ages 3 and up
Adolescents
Depression
Career counseling
Child Trauma
Crisis Counseling
Anger management
Boundary issues

Ashley Burks

Practicum Student

I am a practicum student at Prairie View A & M University in the Master of Education in Counseling program. I received my Bachelor’s degree at Mississippi Valley State University in Itta Bena, MS. I have always had a passion for helping others. I am currently working towards receiving my master’s in counseling looking to become a Licensed Professional Counselor. I want to specialize in Behavioral and Anxiety disorder. I am currently completing my practicum at the Brazoria County Counseling Center in Pearland. I enjoy working with others and being part of an awesome team. I am excited about learning from these amazing counselors and from day one I felt like I was part of the family. I look forward to continuing growing with the agency and making a difference in the lives of others!

Early Onset dementia
Adolescence
Abuse
ADHD
Anxiety
PTSD
Spirituality
Laughter Yoga
Canine Therapy

Grief Counseling
Marriage
Relationship Conflicts
Self Esteem
Blended Families
Anxiety/ Stress Management
Depression
Emotional Disturbance
Adolescent Issues
PTSD/ Trauma
Family Relationships

Delma Z. Garza

Chief Executive Officer
LPC, LCDC

Bilingual

Maegan Morris

Practicum Student

Emotional Disturbance
Anger Management
Behavior/Conduct Disorder
Children/Adolescents
ADHD
Social Skills
Anxiety/Stress Management
Depression

Life allows us to experience personal contentment and fulfilling relationships, but as all of us know we also encounter disappointments, losses, and setbacks. Sometimes we can easily navigate through life’s challenges, but other times we find ourselves at a crossroad face with confusion and overwhelming emotions and not knowing which direction to take. If you find yourself in such place, please know that you are not alone and that there is help in your time of uncertainty.
Personally and professionally I have witnessed how genuine care and a non-judgmental approach can initiate personal insight and healing. Therefore, I welcome my clients to come as they are and expect to find hope through practical solutions. Whether it is a stumbling block or a mountain in your path, together we will discover how to overcome by cultivating inner strength, bringing perspective for your life goals, and equipping you with the necessary skills to successfully continue on your life’s journey.
I earned a Bachelor of Science in Education and a Master of Science in Counseling and Guidance from Texas A & M – Kingsville. I hold a certification in Anger Management, and I am a member of the American Association of Christian Counselors (AACC). My passion for helping others has lead me to volunteer in a women’s shelter, prison ministry, women’s ministry, and community outreach programs. I have worked as a program coordinator for at risk youths and families, a life skills coach at a men’s prison, and as an elementary and junior high counselor. I provide individual, couples, family, and group counseling, and I am also available for speaking engagements and educational classes both in English or Spanish.

My clinical area of expertise includes:

I am a Licensed Professional Counselor-Intern. I received my Master’s degree in Guidance and Counseling from Tarleton State University in 1999. I have worked in the public school setting for 23 years and 19 years as a Professional School Counselor. I believe in the power of education; therefore, I find joy in the pursuit of knowledge. I am currently pursuing a doctoral degree in educational leadership with a specialization in counseling.

I seek to empower and educate my clients by teaching them the knowledge and skills they need to focus on their personal and professional goals. As a therapist, I value a high level of confidentiality to provide my clients the utmost emotional safety.

I believe that many people have experienced adversities that could impede their personal and professional goals. Through talk therapy, clients are able to process their story in hopes of learning positive ways to cope. It’s okay to not be okay and seek help. Seeking help is a gift we give ourselves.

My counseling interests include:

Trauma & PTSD
Drug and alcohol counseling/education
Spirituality
Anger Management
Peer Relationships
Emotional Disturbance
LGBT
Child abuse

I am a Registered Behavior Technician and Certified Autism Specialist with 11 years of experience in the education and mental health field. I am also a professional member of the American Counseling Association (ACA). I hold a Bachelor of Science degree in Interdisciplinary Studies from University of Houston-Downtown, a Master of Education degree in School Counseling from University of St. Thomas and Clinical Mental Health Counseling Certificate from Lamar University. I currently serve as a Behavior specialist with Angleton ISD. In my graduate program, I specialized in Anger Management, Marriage and Family Therapy as well as Individual Therapy.
My professional experience includes group and individual therapy in the school setting with Kindergarten-5th grades and individual therapy of all ages in local counseling facilities.
I have worked with individuals and groups on issues such as family issues, divorce, depression, anxiety, substance abuse, anger management, parenting skills, grief and loss, physical and sexual abuse, and adolescent issues.

Counseling Style

I know that making the decision to contact a therapist can be difficult for some and my goal is to make the process as welcoming as possible. I work in an extremely relaxed, informal manner that is collaborative in nature. You will find that our therapy sessions most resemble a warm conversation in a soothing office setting. I like to use humor regularly in my therapy sessions and I take every possible measure to ensure that my office is a safe place for clients to freely laugh, cry, or express anger as they need.
I believe that many people not only experience stress and anxiety by unfortunate adversities, but also by how they construct their views of reality through the stories they tell themselves regarding the stressful incident. While I like to systematically pull different counseling techniques from a wide range of theories, I tend to work most heavily from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Solution-Focused (SF) and Rational Emotive Behavioral Therapy (REBT) standpoints. Both of these types of therapies help people overcome irrational, dysfunctional, and unhealthy thought process that tend to add to and prolong emotional strain, trauma, and tension due to a stressful life incident.

Certification

Registered Behavior Technician (RBT) #RBT-17-32043
Certified Autism Specialist (CAS) #162866
Texas Educator Certificate #1306134
Generalist EC-4
Special Education EC-12
School Counselor EC-12
Professional Memberships
American Counseling Association, (ACA)
American School Counselor Association (ASCA)

ADHD
Adolescent Issues
Anger Management
Anxiety/ Stress Management
Autism Spectrum Disorder
Behavior/Conduct Disorders
Blended Families
Bullying/Social Skills Issues
Christian Counseling
Depression

Dr. Ricky D. Ertell

Chief Operations Officer
Ed. D., LPC-S, CART, CSC, CSEC

Divorce and Remarriage
Family Conflict
Grief and Loss
Marital Problems
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
Parental Guidance
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
Relationship Conflicts
Self-Esteem/ Self Respect/Boundaries
Vocational Coaching

Play therapy with children ages 5 and up
Life Role Transition
Grief
Major Depression Disorder
Bipolar
Special needs
LGBT Issues
Eating Disorders
Family Systems
Co-dependency
End of Life Issues
Chronic Pain

It has been my honor to live and serve in Brazoria county for the past 30 years. I attended Angleton High School and graduated with honors from Brazosport College. My Bachelors and Masters level work was done at University of Houston. Currently I hold a Texas Certification as a counselor in special needs and L.P.C. with supervisor status. I am also a member of the Brazoria County Task Force and a Suicide Prevention educator.
My goal as a mental health therapist is to facilitate self awareness and empowerment in a safe environment. My methods are client centered and focus on mind/ body connections. I am trained in mindfulness and animal assisted therapy.

On a personal note I enjoy dancing, water Zumba, travel, volunteering, being a grandmother to 3 youngsters and serving in the recovery community. I am a member of Brazosport Association of Retired Teachers, Texas Retired Teachers and Community Advisory Council for Brazoria County .

The following are my areas of expertise:

I hold a Masters in Counseling Psychology from Our Lady of The Lake University. I am a Licensed Professional Counselor and Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor. I have been in private practice for 10 years. My education and previous work experience as a Harris County Juvenile Probation Officer and elementary school teacher gives me a unique insight with children and the adolescent population.

As your psychotherapist, I will help you establish goals based on your needs and provide you with skills to accomplish them. I consider myself to be a supportive and nurturing therapist. I strive to provide an environment where thoughts, ideas, and feelings can be shared without reservation or fear of judgment. I hope to empower those who come to share their struggles or issues, so they may continue their lives with peace of mind and solace. You will not only find a compassionate listener in me, but you will also find a proactive partner to assist you in implementing skills needed to help you live a fulfilling daily life.
On a personal note, I enjoy riding horses and spending time with my husband, family, and friends who are very special to me. I love dancing, traveling, and listening to a variety of music.
I also serve as a volunteer for The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo.

My clinical areas of expertise include:

Danielle Fyffe

MA, NCC, LPC
An EMDR Trained Therapist

Jacqueline Higgins

LPC

Greetings, my name is Domonick F. Crane I. I am a Licensed Professional Counselor, currently licensed in the states of Oklahoma and Texas. I received my masters in Rehabilitation Counseling and Disability Studies from Langston University in Oklahoma. I am a husband and father of 4 wonderful children who allow me to test and sharpen my skills on them daily.

I employ an eclectic style of counseling from several modalities, such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Solution Focused, Existential, and Client-Centered to name a few. I prefer working with children from the age of 4 up to that transitional young adult stage, simply because of my background and upbringing. I am the oldest of 4 boys in a single-parent household. Upon graduating with my bachelor’s, I had no true direction and ended up working in a juvenile detention facility. These journeys allowed me to be on both sides of needing help from a mental health stand. I was able to receive counseling, which I did not understand at the time, from different areas because I had several individuals that I was able to talk to and get the guidance that I needed to be successful. While working in juvenile detention, I was able to see that I was going to be able to effect more change in a child’s life if I can connect with them before they enter into the judicial system.

As stated before, my experience is in juvenile detention settings, school based, clinic based, and community-based counseling. I enjoy being flexible in my approach because it allows the client to feel more at ease and comfortable with the counseling process. I look forward to meeting you and building a bridge to a successful and more positive future.

My areas of expertise includes:

Eating Disorders
Gay / Lesbian Issues
Gender Identity
Learning Disabilities
Marriage and Family Therapy
Men's Issues
Mood Disorder
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
Parenting Issues
Personality Disorders
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
Sexual Dysfunction
Sexual-Physical Abuse
Stress Management

          Rick is a loving husband to his wife Robin. Rick is active in the community having served on many boards and committees including Hospice Care Team, The United Way of Brazoria County and The Brazoria County Mental Health Task Force. He offers his time to many causes and he has served as a volunteer at the Houston Area Women’s Center.
          He has been honored by his former students on multiple occasions by being recognized as Who’s Who Among American Teachers. Rick also received the Betty Bliss Scholarship for perspective counselors. Rick is a veteran of the United States Navy where he received the Meritorious Service Award.
          Rick earned his doctorate from Baylor University in Educational Leadership. He also earned an M.S. in Counseling and a B.S. in Political Science from the University of Houston-Clear Lake (UHCL). He is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) and an LPC Supervisor. He is certified by the State of Texas as a Special Education Teacher, Counselor, Special Education Counselor, and Principal. He has served as an Elementary, Middle, and High School Counselor. In addition he has also served as a school administrator.
          Rick has presented on many occasions including the Texas Counseling Association Annual Convention, NAMI Gulf Coast and various counseling and educational organizations.
          Currently Rick is the Chief Operations Officer for Brazoria County Counseling Centers. Rick currently sees clients for individual counseling as a licensed clinician. He also conducts screenings, assessments, and groups.
           Ricks latest endeavor is as a Trainer of Trainers, presenter, and speaker for Managing Your Crazy Self an advanced Neuro Psychological way to reprogram your brain to overcome past trauma and negative experiences and gain happiness in your life.

My clinical areas of expertise include:

Depression
Anxiety/Stress Management
Low-self esteem
Relationship issues
Spiritual issues
Marriage
Parenting
Trauma
Grief & Loss

Marriage and family counseling
Parent/ child conflict
Domestic violence
Grief/loss
Children & adolescents
Self injurious behavior
ADHD
Bipolar Disorder
Depression/Anxiety/Trauma & PTSD

I am a National Certified Counselor and a Licensed Professional Counselor Intern. I received my Bachelor Degree from Lubbock Christian University and my Master of Arts degree from Adams State University. I am also training to become proficient in EMDR therapy (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing).
          My husband and I have been in full-time church ministry for more than 35 years, and during that time, we have offered pastoral and spiritual counseling. Realizing the limitations of such counseling, I finally went back to school to obtain my graduate degree.
          I believe God created perfection and placed it all in the Garden of Eden. Unfortunately, sin entered the picture and people have been struggling with the effects of sin ever since. Sometimes that struggle is beyond our resources and understanding. We need to have someone help us through life’s troubles.
          God is the perfect healer and has the answers to every trouble we face. We just have to listen. And while we are listening to God, I am also listening to my client because my client is the expert in his or her own situation. I merely help my client clarify their path.
          I work with adults, couples, and teenagers. I am interested in helping my clients deal with depression, anxiety, low self-esteem, relationship issues, spiritual issues, marriage issues, pre-marital counseling, trauma, and others. I am passionate about helping couples build a strong marriage relationship so they can foster a strong and healthy family.
          While I am passionate about my own spiritual walk and desire to see everyone grow closer to God, I do respect the journey each person is on. It is not my place to dictate to you how your walk should look. God is big enough to handle that part all by himself.
          I am married to a pastor, have two adult children, one son-in-law, and one Persian cat. I dearly love spending time with my family, and I sometimes try to do a craft project. I am very involved in Bible Study Fellowship, having been a member then a group leader since 2005.

My areas of expertise:

Couples counseling
Relationship conflict
Sex and sexuality
College counseling
Role transition
LGBTQIA+
Mindfulness
Depression
Anxiety

Topics I am interested in working with:

Grief Counseling
PTSD/Trauma
Self Esteem
Anxiety/Stress Management
Depression
Adolescent Issues

My name is Maegan Morris and I am from Alvin Texas; I have a Bachelor’s degree in Interdisciplinary Studies with a minor in Elementary Education Ec-6 from Sam Houston State University. I am currently working on my Masters for Clinical Mental Health Counseling through Walden University. I have been inside of the classroom for seven amazing years and I am ready to expand my love for serving and helping others through the counseling process. I will be working with Brazoria County Counseling center through my Practicum and Internship; eager to learn from these amazing counselors, and expand my knowledge, tools, in order to help others see the beauty of their own happiness!

Topics I am interested in working with:

Chenda Moore

LPC-Intern

Supervised by:
Dr. Ricky D. Ertell
Ed. D., LPC-S, CART, CSC, CSEC

ADD / ADHD
Adult Individual Counseling
Adult Testing and Assessment
Anger Management
Anxiety / Phobic Disorders
Bereavement-Grief Counseling
Certified Employee Assistance Professional
Child abuse
Christian Counseling
Codependent Behavioral Therapy
Depression
Dissociative Disorder
Domestic Violence

I have a Masters in Counseling from the University of St. Thomas. I am a professional school counselor and Licensed Professional Counselor Intern. I have worked as a teacher and school counselor in both elementary and high school settings for nine years. Having the opportunity to work with children of all ages as well as their parents helps me daily when working with families.

One thing that is certain in life is change. I recognize that making the choice to seek counseling is a massive step and do not take that lightly. As your therapist, I seek to work with you through life’s transitions and develop and carry out a plan to reach your goals. I know from personal experience the power of authenticity and transparency in a space where you can come and not feel judged. I desire to provide that for you equipping you with new skills to adapt moving forward. I am comfortable working with children, teenagers, couples, families and adults.

In my free time, I love being outdoors with my husband and our two dogs, Drake and Sadie. Aside from time with my family, a few things that make my soul happy are working out, traveling, a new book, music, and great food.

Margie C. VanCleave

LPC-S

My clinical areas of expertise include:

My counseling interests include:

Anxiety
Depression
Self-Esteem
Christian Counseling
Marriage/Couples Counseling
Relationship counseling/ Conflict Resolution
Adolescent Issues
Family Relationships
Divorce
Trauma
Boundary Issues

Domonick F. Crane, I

LPC

Tambekia Watts

Practicum Student

Eating Disorder
Self Esteem
Grief & Loss
Marriage, Couple and Family Therapy

I am a practicum student at the University of Houston in the Master of Education in Counseling program. I earned my Bachelor's in Neuroscience at the University of Texas at Austin and have a robust, biological understanding of the behavioral phenomena observed in psychology.
          I have experience in geriatric neuropsychological evaluation, couples counseling, individual counseling, and group work. I have counseled a wide range of individuals, and prefer to work with clients 15 years or older. My primary focus is in couples counseling and college counseling, though I am happy to be a support through other issues, as well.
          Through counseling, my goal is to serve as a tool with which you can enact change within your life. I am eager and honored to walk alongside you as the client to help sort through any issues or problems you may be facing as you learn to grow and blossom in your environment. My therapeutic style is largely emotion-focused with the intention of bringing underlying needs or desires to awareness. I believe this awareness prepares individuals for change. Although change may be difficult or scary, it can lead to a freer, healthier life and I will be there to encourage you each step of the way.
          In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my family, meditation, and country dancing. I have a passion for expanding knowledge through education and volunteer my time to the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. I am currently a student member of the American Counseling Association, the Association for Assessment and Research in Counseling, American College Counseling Association, International Association of Marriage and Family Counselors, and Association for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender Issues in Counseling.

My clinical area of expertise includes:

ESL children
Special Education
Autism
ADD/ADHD

Steffanie R. Thompson

LPC-Intern, CAS, RBT

LCDC-Intern

Supervised by:

Margie C. VanCleave
LPC-S

Melodie Bond

BAT, LPC

· Anxiety
· Career counseling
· College preparation
· Conflict management
· Depression
· Family systems
· Grief and Loss
· Relationship conflicts
· Parenting issues
· Self-esteem
· Young adults

Anger management
ADD/ADHD
Anxiety Depression
Self-esteem
Social skills
Children/Adolescents
Play therapy
Trauma
Parent-child relationships

Rosalia Martinez

LPC-Intern

LCDC-Intern

Bilingual

Supervised by:
Margie C. VanCleave
LPC-S

Brittanee Morris

LPC-Intern

Supervised by:
Darline Hunter
Ed.D., Psychologist, LPC-S, LMFT, LCDC