COUPLES, MARRIAGES, AND PARENTING

Dr. Kate Walker, Ph.D., the owner of achievebalance.org© is a Licensed Professional Counselor Supervisor and a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. In the ten years since graduating with her master’s degree in counseling she has logged thousands of hours working alongside doctors, physical therapists, and other licensed mental health providers helping individuals, couples, and families achieve life, marriage, and career goals. Her experience includes working with marriages trying to survive following an affair, families with a member suffering from addiction, parents with challenging children, victims of abuse, and individuals struggling with depression and anxiety. In addition to her clinical work, Dr. Walker has served as an adjunct professor of marriage and family therapy at Sam Houston State University. She earned her bachelor’s degree from The University of Texas at Austin and attended Sam Houston State University for her master's and doctoral degrees.

Achieving a balanced life is not only a professional goal for Dr. Walker, it is a personal one as well. Her husband David has been deployed twice with the military, her oldest child struggles with addiction and bipolar disorder, and in 2006 she completed her sixth reconstructive procedure following a double mastectomy. She and her husband are passionate advocates for marriages, military families, and parents with struggling teens. They feel their experiences have placed them in a unique position to help other families dealing with similar issues. Dr. Walker feels Achievebalance.org and All About the Family LLC are a reflection of that passion and she is honored to help you achieve balance today.

Contact: 936-697-2822
Kate Walker, Ph.D., LPC, LMFT

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SUPERVISION CEUS

Dr. Judy DeTrude is licensed in Texas as a Professional Counselor (LPC) and a Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) and is an Approved Supervisor for both of the licenses. She has been providing supervision to interns since 1985. Dr. DeTrude has been the Clinical Director for two university counseling centers and recently retired as a professor in counselor education from Sam Houston State University. She has done extensive research in the field of ethics and has presented nationally on this topic. Her clinical interests are premarital counseling, working with blended families and helping families with the relocation process. She has received two university research grants for her work in premarital counseling. Kent State University established the Judith A DeTrude Professional Development Award and recognizes doctoral students each year with this award.

Dr. DeTrude is on the Executive Board for a new journal, Contemporary Issues in Criminal Justice and Social Science, and she was the founding editor of an online journal, Professional Issues in Counseling. In addition to her clinical work, she is on a task force to develop an online counseling program with a university from New York. While at Sam Houston State University, she wrote the self-study and coordinated the team site visit for CACREP to come and evaluate the university. CACREP is the the accreditation body for counseling programs. The community counseling program received the full eight years of accreditation after this site review. She plans on continuing her professional activities in the counseling field by offering workshops for continuing education for LPC's and LMFT's.

Dr. DeTrude coordinates supervision continuing education and not taking new clients at this time.
281-435-7275

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FAMILIES AND PARENTING

Jennifer Bornsheuer is a Licensed Professional Counselor in the state of Texas as well as a National Certified Counselor. She received her Master's Degree in Counseling and Development from Texas Woman's University and is currently working towards her PhD in Counselor Education at Sam Houston State University. Jennifer received her Bachelor's Degree in Psychology with a minor in Counseling from the University of North Texas.

She is an active member of the Ethics Committee and the Proposal Committee of the Texas Counseling Association, and a member of the American Counseling Association. Jennifer was an officer in Chi Sigma Iota during her graduate studies.

Jennifer works with children, adolescents, adults and families. Her main area of interest and passion is utilizing play therapy with children and activity therapy with adolescents to help them find their place in the world, develop competence, and achieve their goals so they can become fully functioning individuals. Jennifer has worked in a variety of settings including schools, community agencies, mental health clinics, and detention centers to assist clients with anger, anxiety, depression, life transitions, abuse, relationships, and legal system involvement.

Jennifer Bornsheuer, M.S., LPC, NCC
832-758-0375
Email Jennifer »

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ADULT INDIVIDUAL AND COUPLE COUNSELING

Sue Watkins is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist both in Texas and California. She did her graduate work at Fuller Theological Seminary. She also was an adjunct professor at Vanguard University in Costa Mesa, CA. Before moving to Texas, she had a successful practice for 16 years.

Since moving to Texas she has worked as the Executive Pastor for a local church and later as the Executive Director of the Pregnancy Assistance Center.

Her passion is helping people move past the obstacles in their lives. We all have obstacles, some of which can be:
• Growing up in an alcoholic family
• Continually ending up in dysfunctional relationships
• Not knowing how to set appropriate boundaries in work and personal life
• Unable to move out of the role we had in our family growing up
• Stress from our current family members
• Living with chronic physical pain
• Issues of faith – how can God let this happen? Is it OK with God that I am depressed, angry, anxious?


Sue Watkins, M.A., LMFT
936-524-7523
Email Sue »

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CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS

Rebecca Frels is a Licensed Professional Counselor Supervisor and Play Therapist who believes whole-heartedly in assisting you with achieving goals and transforming relationships in all stages of school, work and life. Acquiring her master’s degree from The University of Houston-Victoria and upcoming PhD in 2010 from Sam Houston State University, Rebecca’s experience includes clinical and school multicultural counseling, working with adults, adolescents, and children ages 4 Years and older. Areas of specialty also include assisting persons coping with addictive behaviors, self-harming behaviors, loss of trust, depression, and anxiety due to transitions or life circumstances. Her approach with children via play therapy is to assist them in finding their inner-strength for positive decision-making and better relationships, and her creative approaches with adolescents include sandtray, music, art, and drama.

Recently, Rebecca completed an international teaching position in Costa Rica. She is an adjunct professor for The University of Houston-Sugar Land and a published scholar in the area of creativity in counseling and multicultural counseling. Rebecca believes that a balanced life includes awareness of self in relationships with others and integrating emotional, mental, physical, and spiritual needs. Rebecca’s personal life experiences as a professional musician, youth director, and mother of three adult children bring resolve and passion to her professional approach in counseling. Clients describe Rebecca as caring, warm, personable, and fun, with a straightforward approach toward solutions for living.


Rebecca Frels, MS, LPC-S
281-728-9657
Email Rebecca »

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COUPLES AND MARRIAGES

Amanda R. Bracewell is a Licensed Professional Counselor Intern in the state of Texas. She received her Master of Science Degree in Community Psychology from Lamar University. She received her Bachelor of Science Degree in Psychology with a minor in Sociology from Lamar University as well. She is a member of Psi Chi, the International Honor Society in Psychology. Amanda currently serves as an adjunct professor of psychology at LoneStar College - Montgomery.

Amanda's areas of particular interest include helping couples communicate effectively, helping students study effectively, depression, and gender differences. Amanda works with adults, couples, families, and children. She has had experience assisting clients with sexual issues, life transitions, role transitions, anxiety, relationship problems, anger management, and regaining control of their lives.

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COUPLES AND MARRIAGES

Shena L. Sandle is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapy Associate in the state of Texas. She received her Master of Marriage and Family Therapy degree from Abilene Christian University. She also received her Bachelor of Science Degree in Human Development and Family Sciences from the University of Texas at Austin.

Shena has worked in a wide variety of settings including shelters, detention centers, and community mental health clinics. Working with a diverse clientele from all socioeconomic backgrounds and cultures, she has had experience assisting clients with depression, parent education, life transitions, self esteem issues, anxiety, relationship problems, anger management, sexual abuse trauma, and behavior disorders.

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FAMILIES, ADOLESCENTS AND CHILDREN

Monica C. De La Guardia is a Licensed Professional Counselor Intern in the state of Texas. She received her Master of Arts Degree in Counseling from Sam Houston State University.

Monica is a native of Mexico where she earned her Medical Degree and completed training in Obstetrics and Gynecology (ITESM). While practicing medicine she became interested in helping women and couples with their counseling needs especially in the areas of infertility, premarital counseling, pre and post-partum related issues, perimenopausal depression, and associated conditions.

In addition to her expertise in women’s issues, Monica understands the challenges of raising a family in the midst of different cultural backgrounds. She has a passion to support parents as they strive to help their adolescents maintain a healthy lifestyle, achieve success in their education, and secure a stronger future. Her clinical experience includes using play therapy techniques with young children, helping parents utilize play therapy techniques at home (filial play therapy), and helping parents communicate assertively with their children and adolescents. Monica is able to help both English speaking and Spanish speaking clients.



Mónica Castaldi De La Guardia terminó la maestría de psicoterapeuta clínica en la Universidad de Sam Houston, y está por obtener su Licencia Profesional como Consejera de Salud Mental en el Estado de Texas, cumpliendo con el código ético en este país.

Mónica es mexicana de origen, se graduó de la carrera de Medicina con especialidad en Ginecología y Obstetricia en el Instituto Tecnológico de Estudios Superiores de Monterrey, haciendo una de sus electivas en el Departamento de Infertilidad en la Universidad de Arizona.

Durante sus estudios de Medicina, Mónica siempre mostró gran interés en incorporar el aspecto psicológico como parte integral en el tratamiento de sus pacientes; brindando apoyo, guía y ayuda tanto a sus pacientes como a sus parejas y familias, principalmente en áreas de Infertilidad, Consejo Prematrimonial, Problemas relacionados durante el Embarazo y después del Parto, así como Problemas Emocionales relacionados con la Menopausia.

Además de su dominio y amplia experiencia en Problemas de la Mujer, Mónica ha vivido las dificultades que surgen al educar y mantener sólida a su propia familia, en un ambiente de valores culturales diversos; creando en ella una gran pasión por ayudar a padres de familia en cómo lograr que sus hijos mantengan una vida sana, conseguir éxito en sus estudios y planes a futuro. Su experiencia clínica incluye el uso de técnicas terapéuticas especializadas a base de juego con niños pequeños (Play Therapy), así como entrenamiento para padres (Filial Therapy) de cómo utilizar estas técnicas en sus hogares, para lograr una comunicación asertiva con sus niños y adolescentes.

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FAMILIES, ADOLESCENTS AND CHILDREN

Florencia Hassey, MA, MS, is a Licensed Professional Counselor Intern and Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist Associate in the State of Texas.

Ms. Hassey is a people- and systems-oriented multicultural-multilingual therapist and has logged over 12 years of experience as a professional psychotherapist in Mexico and Europe. She is fluent in English, Spanish, Italian and French and enjoys helping individuals and families grow, develop skills, solve problems, and accomplish their goals and objectives. Her experience includes working with corporations, individuals, families, and couples. She also has experience using play therapy techniques with children, working with individuals with addictions, and helping teenagers.

Ms. Hassey has taught at the prestigious ITESM-Stanta Fe-Mexico and Universidad Iberoamericana-Mexico. She currently serves on the board of the Montgomery County Youth Services in The Woodlands, a non-profit organization dedicated to helping families and children in need of free counseling services. She earned her bachelor’s degree from Texas A&M University, attended Universidad Gestalt de America Latina- Mexico for her Masters in Psychology, and Sam Houston State University for her Masters in counseling. She currently attends Sam Houston State University as a doctoral student in counselor education.

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INSURANCE:
At Achievebalance.org© there are several therapists available to help you. Our therapists are out-of-network providers so please check your mental or behavioral health benefits for reimbursement information before you make an appointment. All fees must be paid at the time services are rendered and we will provide you with paperwork so that you can file for reimbursement if you choose.

COST:
Therapist Interns and Associates hold a master's or doctoral degree in counseling or related field and are accruing hours toward licensure. They have extensive experience working with couples, individuals, and children. Interns and Associates are able to offer their services at a rate of $65 per hour, much lower than many behavioral health plan co-pays.

Licensed Professional Counselors and Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists at Achievebalance.org© charge different amounts for their services so please contact each individually for cost information.

PATIENT INFORMATION:
Frequently Asked Questions About Therapy
Getting The Most From Your Therapy Sessions
What Is An Intern?
Your Health Information Privacy Rights (English)
Informacion sobre su salud: Derecho a la confidencialidad (Spanish)
Autorizo a que se libere mi información confidencial (Spanish)