Hi, I’m Renee!
I am a Licensed Professional Counselor. I received my Master’s of Education in Counseling from the University of Houston in 1998.
I am a native Houstonian, and the proud mother of two college age children. After receiving my M.Ed. in 1998, I chose to stay home with my children for a number of years. Although I enjoyed that experience very much, as they got older, I felt the passion for helping others, which lead to pursuit of an LPC needed more attention and I returned to the workforce.
On my journey back to the mental health field, I had the opportunity to work in a number of settings. Most recently, I spent a number of years working in Early Childhood classrooms, giving me a unique view of the struggles facing children and their parents. It has been my experience that as adults we think it is our job to teach children about the world, but the truth is that if we really listen, they are the ones teaching us.
My approach to working with children is based on the understanding that play is a window into the child’s mind and heart. Children’s verbal skills are not fully developed; therefore they use play as their means of communication and making sense of the world around them. Child-centered play therapy gives us the opportunity to view the child’s world through their eyes. Given a safe, respectful and nonjudgmental place to play, children will reveal to us what they need.
I also believe it is important to understand how a child’s brain is developing and use what we know from neuroscience to help children fully integrate their mind and their body. Each child’s brain is wired differently and understanding how the body and mind are integrated in a child can hope both the parent and child make sense of his/her world. Helping children learn to recognize emotion, name it and manage it is a skill that vital for children to succeed in school and later in life.
The parent-child relationship is the most significant relationship in a child’s life. Parents are often faced with challenges that they are not sure how to handle. I enjoy working with parents and helping them form stronger bonds with their children while giving them tools to face today’s world.
Although a large part of my practice is focused on children, I also enjoying working with adults. It is my belief that we are all part of a system (friends and family) and that system is an integral part of how we function. Understanding our own attachment style and needs can help you live a more productive and fulfilled life. Just like children, adults need a safe space where they can be heard and understood. Together we will explore the aspects of your life that are causing you difficulty and use your strengths to enable change that lead you towards a rewarding life.
My work experience includes working with children and adults that have anxiety, depression, ADHD, behavioral issues, emotional regulations issues and family conflict, such as divorce.
If you have any questions about me or about counseling at our office please feel free to contact me. I look forward to the opportunity of working with you!