Alice Whitten
Therapist
LPC, CLINICAL LEAD
Hi, I’m Alice!
I earned my Bachelors degree in Psychology and Business Administration at Trinity University in San Antonio, Texas. From there I went to Spokane, Washington to attend Gonzaga University and earned a Masters in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. (I may not know much about basketball, but Gonzaga will always be the champion on my March Madness brackets!).
I am the oldest child of three in my family and have lived in Houston most of my life. My brother has non-verbal Autism and has taught me a lot about love and understanding others beyond their words. Helping those with special needs is a passion of mine.
In 2016 and 2019, I worked part-time as a teacher’s aide at The Tuttle School at Briarwood, a private school in West Houston, which serves children with Autism Spectrum Disorder, Down Syndrome, Cerebral Palsy, and intellectual differences. One of my many responsibilities at Briarwood was creating a structured and supportive learning environment so that all the students are able to learn and reach their potential.
I personally have ADHD and dyslexia and know first-hand how difficult it can be to face these challenges. Throughout my life I have learned to adapt and be successful by finding effective ways that work for my unique learning style and way of being. I enjoy helping others learn effective ways to manage their ADHD, ADD, and other learning challenges and have a passion for supporting family’s in creating supportive environments for their children to be successful.
A key piece of my counseling practice is creating a space of safety, reflection, and non-judgement. I use a variety of theoretical orientations and perspectives based on what will help you best heal and meet your goals. My counseling comes mostly from a systems-based person-centered approach. That means I am interested in all aspects of your life and how those systems (such as family and friends) may be impacting you. It also means that I approach all interactions as an equal with you and strive to provide genuineness, empathy, and unconditional positive regard. I find utilizing art, play, and sand tray therapy to be very effective in helping you heal and express yourself in new ways.
My experience also includes working with children in social skills groups and in individual therapy. These struggles include anxiety, social skills, anger, behavioral problems, low self-esteem, trauma, family functioning, and other life and family changes such as parents separating.
In addition, I also enjoy working with couples in developing healthier and happier relationships. I have completed Level 1 Training in Gottman Method Couples Therapy. The Gottman approach provides many great tools for promoting effective communication and working through gridlocked issues by uncovering underlying dreams, history, and values. In my work with couples I also help partners increase their intimate connections and learn techniques to manage conflict.
In my work as a Houston therapist with teens and adults I think it is important that you feel heard and understood by another person, and I hope to be that person for you. I enjoy working with teens and adults on concerns such as stress, anxiety, depression, relationship problems, peer concerns, LGBTQIA+, trauma, low self-esteem, grief and loss, meaning making, growth, and life changes.
If you have any questions about me or about counseling at our Houston area therapy office please feel free to contact our office at 713-363-8645 or schedule a FREE 20 MINUTES PHONE CONSULTATION. I look forward to the opportunity of working with you!