About Connemara Counseling

I am a Licensed Professional Counselor Associate (LPC-Associate) in Texas, practicing under the supervision of Michelle Burkott, LPC-S, and a Licensed Mental Health Counselor Associate (LMHCA) in Washington, practicing under the supervision of Javen Taafe.

I hold a Ph.D. in History from the University of California, San Diego, and a Master of Education in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Lamar University. My professional background spans more than 30 years in higher education, historical scholarship, and work with individuals navigating personal, academic, and emotional challenges.

My academic training as a historian provided me with a deep appreciation for the richness and complexity of human experience. The study of history taught me to recognize how our lives are shaped by relationships, culture, circumstances, and the broader world in which we live. It also fostered an enduring respect for the diversity of human experiences and the many ways people find meaning, confront adversity, and pursue lives of purpose. These perspectives continue to inform my work as a counselor, particularly my belief in approaching each person with openness, humility, empathy, and respect for their unique experiences.

Throughout my years in higher education, I had the opportunity to work with students facing academic pressures, personal difficulties, and important life transitions. These experiences deepened my interest in emotional well-being and the challenges individuals encounter as they seek to understand themselves and find their way forward. They ultimately contributed to my decision to pursue graduate training in clinical mental health counseling.

Today, I bring these experiences together in my work with individuals and couples navigating anxiety, depression, relationship difficulties, and significant life transitions. My approach emphasizes a genuine therapeutic relationship grounded in trust, compassion, and collaboration, drawing upon evidence-based counseling practices while recognizing the individuality of each client's circumstances and goals.

I believe counseling offers more than an opportunity to address immediate difficulties. It can also provide space for personal growth, greater self-understanding, stronger relationships, and a renewed sense of direction. My goal is to help clients recognize their strengths, develop practical strategies for navigating life's challenges, and move forward with greater confidence, resilience, and purpose.