About Eleanor…

Training & Certification

Licensed Professional Counselor - Associate #95446
Supervised by Kelly Guidry, Ph.D., LPC-Supervisor #60024

Educational Diagnostician
Texas Education Agency

Classroom Teacher
Texas Education Agency

Master of Science
Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Tarleton State University

Master of Education
Special Education - Emotional and Behavioral Disorders
University of North Texas

Bachelor of Arts
Music
Rice University

 

One of the things that drives me is understanding how our intergenerational life experiences impact human development, especially from a neuroscientific standpoint. Put simply, I believe every person has a story that started before we were born and that continues to be written throughout the course of our lives. If the field of physics tells us anything, it is that nothing happens in a vacuum. Every action has a reaction which suggests that no interaction a person has with outside forces is inconsequential, including interactions with other people, events, cultures, societal patterns, etc. More specifically, I am fascinated by the idea that by inspecting how we currently function in relation to others, we can identify past and present disconnections holding us back from being our best and happiest selves and shape them into future connections that move us forward towards health and wellness.

Clinical Experience

I am a Licensed Professional Counseling - Associate, which means I am accruing hours towards working independently. This is a requirement of all counseling professionals in Texas. That said, I have worked professionally as an educator for 13 years with children and young adults as part of the public education system. I taught adolescents with disabilities for several years, and have seven years of experience in educational assessment and development of intervention plans in accordance with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. I have a passion for supporting children with learning differences, difficulty regulating behavior, and various experiences of neurodiversity. I also have non-clinical volunteer experience supporting and advocating for those who are part of marginalized groups such as people of color, people experiencing mental and emotional distress, the LGBTQ+ community, and those who are addicted. I like to say that my helping journey started when I was 14 years old and coping with childhood epilepsy, sexual orientation, and life in general. At that point, I knew without a doubt that helping those for whom life had not been easy was very important to me. Fast forward to today, and I now look back at everything that happened before and since that turning point, including my own experiences in counseling, and I am so honored to learn more about sitting on the other side of the counseling office and helping people rewrite their stories the way others have helped me rewrite mine.

Neurodiversity

My story is one that is constantly evolving, but the initial plot includes two important aspects of my identity - neurodiversity and trauma survival. I was diagnosed with epilepsy at eight years old. While I no longer deal with epilepsy, I know what it is like to believe there is something wrong with me because my brain works differently. What has helped me more than anything is addressing the inner turmoil I felt about having a brain that didn’t work like other people’s did. Additionally, I have a history of complex trauma, which impacted my self-worth and self-efficacy for many years. Through a great deal of personal and professional effort, I have realized that our brains are constantly developing. From a neuropsychological standpoint, our brain is continually shaped by our environment just as it is by our biology. By examining the relationships we have with ourselves and with others, we can revisit our personal plot and help our brains rewrite a life story that is kinder and more connected to the world around us - a story that doesn’t focus on what’s wrong but instead focuses on our shared experiences of humanity and how we can connect with others to make sure everyone gets their needs met.

 My Interest in Life

Beyond the office, I enjoy studying the intersection of sociology, spirituality, and science. That’s a fancy way of saying that I read and research A LOT. I also enjoy any opportunity to be outside. I travel the country to climb mountains, hike, and kayak. I love finding myself on top of high points where I can see the world from a different, and awe inspiring, perspective. Music remains an important part of my life, including singing and playing the piano.

Fees for Service

  • Therapy

    $85 per session.

    Sessions last between 45 - 50 minutes.
    We do not accept any insurance or third-party billing.

  • Training / Public Speaking

    Variable.

    Trainings and public engagements have a variety of cost factors. Email with specifics for details.