Counselor’s

Frank J. Clemente, Jr, LPC-S, ACPS

Greetings to everyone and I am thankful for your time to read a little bit about my professional career as a Licensed Professional Counselor-Supervisor, Advanced Certified Prevention Specialist. LPC-S, ACPS. I became a Licensed Professional Counselor in 1998.

My degrees are in Bachelor’s in Psychology, Master’s in Human Development, and Master’s in Counseling. People are very important to me. Healthy development is critical for overall well being. Therefore, my education in Human Development in the life span coupled with psychological theories, and counseling techniques

For anyone reading my bio who is a Christian, I too am a Christian and can incorporate the Word of God in session, as I believe it is critical to put God in the center of our lives and for healing and restoration to take place. For those who prefer to not talk about God and incorporate the Word of God, I am more than happy and well equipped to work with you.

I have had many privileges to work with people from all cultural, socioeconomic, racial backgrounds, and with people from all developmental age stages, ranging from infants to geriatrics. Most of my experience is working in community agencies, school settings, and mental health/substance abuse treatment facilities.

My first passion was working with young children from 4 to 10 years of age. I studied and practiced play therapy. I also have a passion to work with families since family is the structure most important in a young person’s life. I then branched out to work with the more chronically ill of all ages.

Since we all are all unique and our experiences and interpretations to our experiences are all unique to each of us, there is no single theory of psychology I hold to. Therefore, my approach to therapy/counseling is one of identifying the unique needs and strengths of each client.

However, I am well trained in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Play Therapy, and have extensive experience in working with clients with depression, anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder, drug and alcohol problems, anger and oppositional defiance, and developmental delays. I love to work with couples and families as well.

I believe we all have had some adverse childhood experience and/or loss in our lives. I have knowledge and experience working with clients that have been traumatized and going through grief. It will be privilege to work with anyone who has been through or currently being traumatized or grieving.

My heart’s desire is to strive and provide compassionate, insightful, caring, and nonjudgmental treatment for each client and will provide the most ethical and confidential treatment you deserve. I assure you that if I see there is not a good fit between a client and myself, I will do my best to refer to a counselor best fitted for you.

Jaime Theiss, LMFTI graduated from the University of North Texas with a Major in Psychology and a Minor in Criminal Justice in 2008. I then graduated with a Master’s of Science in Marriage and Family Therapy from Texas Woman’s University in 2012. After finishing 3,000 supervised hours I became a fully licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in May of 2017. I have been working as a therapist since 2013. I enjoy working with all types of clients and have seen a wide variety of clients throughout the years. I enjoy marriage/couples counseling, grief counseling, individual counseling, teen counseling, child counseling, and family therapy. I have also run a group for children in grief and a group for children in divorce. I have been married since February 4th, 2017 and we have two dogs that we love very much. I am very close to my family, especially my Mom, as I lost my Dad in 2013. Counseling is truly my passion and I am thankful everyday to be in a career that I love so much. — **Jaime Theiss, LMFT**
I graduated from the University of North Texas with a Major in Psychology and a Minor in Criminal Justice in 2008. I then graduated with a Master’s of Science in Marriage and Family Therapy from Texas Woman’s University in 2012. After finishing 3,000 supervised hours I became a fully licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in May of 2017.

I have been working as a therapist since 2013. I enjoy working with all types of clients and have seen a wide variety of clients throughout the years. I enjoy marriage/couples counseling, grief counseling, individual counseling, teen counseling, child counseling, and family therapy. I have also run a group for children in grief and a group for children in divorce.

I have been married since February 4th, 2017 and we have two dogs that we love very much. I am very close to my family, especially my Mom, as I lost my Dad in 2013. Counseling is truly my passion and I am thankful everyday to be in a career that I love so much.

Raquel McKinney, LCSW

Raquel McKinney is a licensed clinical social worker in the state of Texas with 25+ years of mental health experience understanding and treating individuals suffering with stress, anxiety, depression, self-esteem, grief, gender identity conflict and other mental health issues. She works with individuals, families, and couples as they navigate life stressors connected to marital/divorce issues, parenting issues, and adolescent behaviors.

Raquel’s experience working with various populations began in 1993 and included battered women, hospice care, foster care, family preservation, domestic and international adoption, and high school counseling. Raquel passionately led a process group for adolescent survivors of sexual abuse for 18 years. Her professional experience has allowed her to work with varying socioeconomic, racially diverse, and faith-based/non-faith-based clients.

Raquel graduated with a Bachelor of Science from Texas A&M University and a Master of Social Work from the University of Texas at Arlington.

Raquel views it an honor to walk the counseling journey with each client. She believes it takes a strong individual to seek counseling. She strives to create and embrace a professional relationship with all clients, including those experiencing crisis and those wanting to maintain a healthy life balance. Finally, she wants her clients to feel “heard,” after all, your feelings are YOUR feelings.

Beverly Brin, LPC

Beverly Brin has been serving the DFW Metroplex as a Licensed Professional Counselor since 2004. Partnering with her clients, Beverly firmly believes that human beings deserve a caring, safe and non-judgmental environment where they are free to unload, explore, feel heard and understood, and experiment with new behaviors that can lead to happier and healthier living. Beverly sees herself as an equal, not an expert in the counseling relationship. She values having a genuine and authentic encounter with those who have entrusted her with their stories.

Beverly serves individuals of all ages. Along with a strong interest in grief therapy, she works with depression, anxiety, self-esteem struggles, relationship issues and art therapy. Additionally, she sees children in a play therapy setting. Her master’s level training is in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy from Texas A&M-Commerce. Her undergraduate degree is in Music Education from Baylor University.

Aisha Merced, LCSWAisha Merced is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in the state of Texas and New York. She received her Bachelor’s in Nursing in 2008 and her Master’s in Social Work in 2014 from the University of Alaska Anchorage. After graduation, she made her way to New York City after being accepted into the Children’s Corp. She worked in Child Welfare for 6 years assisting foster youth with their permanency goal of either reunification, adoption, or independent living. Aisha worked in the therapeutic program for 2 years providing case management and individual therapy to adolescent and young adults with a mental health diagnosis. She was promoted to Administrative Supervisor and moved to the regular foster care program, CS-NYC where she supervised more than 70 children. She is a strong professional with a focus on Trauma Informed Care. Looking for a change in population, Aisha moved to Texas to be closer to her family in the middle of the pandemic. She works full-time as a Guidance Counselor for a private catholic high school in Dallas. She enjoys providing a “safe zone” to her students to help them deal with a variety of issues [grief, interpersonal relationship conflicts, anxiety, depression, etc]. In addition, Aisha works for a psychiatric hospital part-time providing assessments, group, and individual therapy to adolescents and adults. She utilizes Cognitive Behavioral Therapy [CBT] and Solution-Focused Brief Therapy [SFBT] to provide individual, group and family therapy; crisis intervention; and behavioral modification. She is certified in Parenting Through Change, a parenting program to assist parents with children with behavioral issues in the home. She sees young children in a play therapy setting. Aisha enjoys meeting her clients where they are and supporting them as they navigate the many stressors in life. She has expertise in areas including abuse, assault, and trauma [PTSD], adoption issues, foster care issues, and adjustment disorders. — **Aisha Merced, LCSW**
Aisha Merced is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in the state of Texas and New York. She received her Bachelor’s in Nursing in 2008 and
her Master’s in Social Work in 2014 from the University of Alaska Anchorage. After graduation, she made her way to New York City after being accepted into the Children’s Corp. She worked in Child Welfare for 6 years assisting foster youth with their permanency goal of either reunification, adoption, or independent living. Aisha worked in the therapeutic program for 2 years providing case management and
individual therapy to adolescent and young adults with a mental health diagnosis. She was promoted to Administrative Supervisor and moved to the regular foster care program, CS-NYC where she supervised more than 70 children. She is a strong professional with a focus on Trauma Informed Care.

Looking for a change in population, Aisha moved to Texas to be closer to her family in the middle of the pandemic. She works full-time as a
Guidance Counselor for a private catholic high school in Dallas. She enjoys providing a “safe zone” to her students to help them deal with
a variety of issues [grief, interpersonal relationship conflicts, anxiety, depression, etc].

In addition, Aisha works for a psychiatric hospital part-time providing assessments, group, and individual therapy to adolescents and adults. She utilizes Cognitive Behavioral Therapy [CBT] and Solution-Focused Brief Therapy [SFBT] to provide individual, group and family therapy; crisis intervention; and behavioral modification. She is certified in Parenting Through Change, a parenting program to assist parents with children with behavioral issues in the home. She
sees young children in a play therapy setting.

Aisha enjoys meeting her clients where they are and supporting them as they navigate the many stressors in life. She has expertise in areas including abuse, assault, and trauma [PTSD], adoption issues, foster care issues, and adjustment disorders.

Connie Ingrum, LPC

Connie is a Professional Counselor licensed by the State of Texas. She has over 15 years of experience working with individuals and groups in the mental health field, including inpatient psychiatric care for adults of all ages, and with adults and children with disabilities within the community. These opportunities have provided her with an in-depth understanding of a wide-range of difficulties and struggles that people face in their lives, in addition to strengthening her skills as a clinician.

Connie obtained her Master of Arts degree in Professional Counseling from Amberton University and a Bachelor of Science in Therapeutic Recreation from the University of North Texas. She has lived in Texas most of her life, although has lived in other countries as well, which has provided her with extraordinary opportunities to learn about different cultures and related struggles.

Connie is currently providing counseling services to adults and couples, to include but not limited to:

· Couples/Marriage Counseling

· Premarital Counseling

· Stress/Life Challenges

· Anxiety and Worry

· Depression

· Life Transitions/Other Life Changes

· Self-esteem/Self-confidence

· Procrastination Struggles

· Codependency/Boundary Issues

· Grief/Loss

· Illness Anxiety

Grapevine Location

Dr. Young Geon Koh is a licensed psychologist with a passion forD mental health service and client advocacy. As a clinician of color with an immigrant background, he greatly appreciates the influence that cultural identity has on life experiences, and strives to tailor psychotherapy to work with the subjective worldview of each client. When providing treatment, Dr. Koh primarily integrates Acceptance and Commitment Therapy with aspects of psychodynamic therapy, and seeks to establish a therapeutic relationship founded on trust and collaboration. His aim as a psychotherapist is to assist clients in developing greater psychological flexibility, such that behaviors are guided by meaningful choice, rather than dictated by negative thoughts and emotions.
Dr. Koh received both his M.S. and doctorate (Psy.D.) in psychology from Loyola University Maryland, and received his bachelor's in psychology from Johns Hopkins University. He completed his post-doctoral fellowship at Southern Methodist University Counseling Services and his graduate internship at University of Houston-Clear Lake Counseling Services.

**Lisa Epps, LPC**
My name is Lisa Epps, M.S., LPC and I am a therapist specializing in individual, couples and family therapy, and practice in Frisco, Texas. I am married and have one son and two daughters. The children's ages are 25, 18 and 15. I went to undergraduate school in Columbia, Missouri at Stephens College and majored in Mass Communications with a minor in Political Science. I then attended graduate school for counseling at Missouri State University (formally Southwest Missouri State University) and graduated in 2002. I gained my clinical hours at hospitals and behavioral health agencies here in North Texas.
I have been in the managed care industry for the past 13 years and in the counseling field for the past 21 years. I have an MBA in Strategic Leadership and understand how challenging working in corporate American can be.
When I am not working, I can be found spending time with family, watching movies and reading. Our family pets consists of one miniature Schnauzer and one Havanese. Our goal is to help hurting individuals get to the next level in their life. We also enjoy helping individuals and families learn to live a life that has purpose and meaning.
Can't wait to hear from you!

Cyndi Ryan LPC, NCC, MA EdPsych, MS Counseling (Picture above coming soon)

It’s a privilege to introduce myself as a recent addition to the clinical staff of the highly regarded Stonebridge Independent Counseling Center. My name is Cyndi Ryan and I am a Licensed Professional Counselor and Nationally Certified Counselor. I have earned a Bachelor of Science in Education, a Master of Arts in Educational Psychology, and a Master of Science in Counseling from Southern Methodist University.

My 25 years as an educator provided the invaluable experience of working closely with children, families and adults. I have been a practicing counselor for over five years and have worked with people all along the life spectrum. I’ve developed both an expertise and unique insight into all types of relationships and family systems. My particular expertise is in working with children age three through adolescence, including children with special needs. My strong background in human growth and development combined with a rigorous education in counseling theory and application, allows me to blend my knowledge and experience to provide the highest level of personalized service to our clients. I strongly believe that all people are innately capable of growth and change over the lifespan. Every person has faced hurdles in life, some are bumps in the road and others seem like insurmountable obstacles. With qualified professional, therapeutic support, no person needs to face it alone. As a humanistic therapist, my focus is on helping people free themselves from assumptions and attitudes that have proved disabling for them. For young children I provide play therapy, with upper elementary children I use activity therapy combined with talk therapy, as their needs dictate. I incorporate practices from a variety of theories including, but not limited to Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Solution Focused Therapy. I provide warm, compassionate, and personalized service with a treatment plan uniquely created for each client in order to provide the highest level of individual therapeutic support.

Grapevine Location

Sini Thomas M.Ed., LPC

Sini Thomas is a Licensed Professional Counselor in the state of Texas. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Education from the University of Tulsa and a Master’s degree in Educational Psychology from UNLV. For over 15 years, Sini has provided counseling and support for children, adults, and families in various school and community settings. Sini is committed to the belief that every individual possesses the inner strength to achieve healing and reach their full potential. Her approach involves working collaboratively with clients to empower them in reaching their therapeutic goals. Sini is dedicated to helping clients overcome obstacles by identifying and focusing on their strengths. She strives to provide a compassionate and supportive environment, guiding clients through their personal challenges with empathy and understanding. Since each individual is unique, Sini tailors her sessions to meet the needs of her clients. Using various approaches, she facilitates positive changes in her clients by encouraging and promoting a healthier, more fulfilling life. Sini values and recognizes the courage it takes to seek counseling and is passionate about helping clients find the right therapeutic support for their needs. Her areas of interest include anxiety, grief, self-esteem, stress management, school-related struggles, life transitions, cultural/ethnic challenges, and women’s issues. She works with children as well as adults. Outside of her professional work, Sini enjoys spending time with her husband and son. Her favorite activities include gardening, reading, traveling and yoga.