Meet our clinical team

Jessica Cisneros, M.Ed., LPC-S, BCC
Chief Clinical Officer

Jessica received her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of St.Thomas and her Master of Education in Counseling from University of Houston. Jessica has her license as a Professional Counselor Supervisor and has worked with individuals of all ages with problems ranging from domestic violence, depression, anxiety, ADHD, behavioral issues, and Borderline Personality Disorder. Jessica is currently supervising several LPC interns as well as overseeing the Behavioral Health department. She is a licensed board certified coach and is passionate about helping individuals reach their full potential.

Manuela Barton, MA, LPC, RPT
Senior Clinician

Manuela is a bilingual Licensed Professional Counselor who works with children, adolescents and adults in the State of Texas. Manuela utilizes a variety of approaches in session such as client centered, solution focused and CBT to empower clients in dealing with their concerns. Manuela has worked in the community mental health field for over 10 years.

Briana Eagleton, LCSW
Senior Clinician

 Briana received her Bachelors of Science in Child Development and Family Living from Stephen F. Austin State University and her Masters in Clinical Social Work from the University of Houston. Briana provides individual, family, and couple’s therapy to adults, children, and adolescents. She works with a myriad of issues including depression, anxiety, trauma, ADHD, and stress. Briana has a general interest in working with adults with trauma and does EMDR (eye movement desensitization and reprocessing). She uses a client centered approach in order to help clients reach their own goals and aspirations for their lives. Briana’s ultimate goal is for clients to feel empowered and equipped with the skills they need to navigate life’s challenges and live fulfilling lives.

Kathryn Foster, LMSW
Senior Clinician

Kathryn received her Bachelor's of Social Work and Master’s degree in Social Work – Direct Practice from Texas State University – San Marcos. She believes in a client centered approach combining self-empowerment, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and Solution Focused Therapy. She also implements tools from Motivational Interviewing and Narrative Therapy. She work with a variety of issues including depression, anxiety, PTSD, personality disorders, trauma, and stress. Kathryn also has experience working with adolescents and in adoption.

Nazia Islam, LPC-S
Senior Clinician

Nazia is a board-certified Licensed Professional Counselor Supervisor in the State of Texas. She received her Bachelor of Arts from St. John’s University, NY and Master's of Science in Counseling Psychology at Pace University, NY. With more than 10 years’ experience working with children, adolescents, and adults, Nazia strives to create a safe space for her clients to share their stories, be their authentic self, engage in creative expression and heal. She has experience working with a variety of conditions including mood disorders, anxiety, ADHD, behavioral problems, trauma, suicide, grief, family conflicts, parenting problems, school adjustments and adjustment disorder. Nazia is also a registered Play Therapist and EMDR trained.

Anna Lachner, M.Ed., LPC
Senior Clinician

Anna received her Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Texas A&M University and her Master of Education in Counseling from the University of Houston. Anna is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) and provides individual, family, and couple’s counseling to adolescents, children, and adults. As a clinician, Anna has extensive experience working with adolescents and young adults. Anna uses a variety of treatment modalities, with an emphasis on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Solution-Focused, and Person-Centered Therapy. She works with a wide range of issues, including depression, anxiety, relationship conflicts, trauma, PTSD, negative thinking patterns, and low self-esteem. She is particularly passionate about working with young adults through difficult life transitions and equipping clients with the confidence and skills needed to make positive changes in their lives.

Sao Lorn, MA, LPC, LMFT, Certified EMDR Therapist
Senior Clinician

Sao S. Lorn is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT), Certified Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) Therapist, and STRONG STAR Network Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) Provider, and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia and Nightmares (CBT-I&N). He has a Master's of Arts in Family Therapy from University of Houston - Clear Lake (UHCL). As a native of Cambodia, who came to the United States as a child, Sao has the ability to conduct therapy fluently in the English and Khmer (Cambodian) languages. His therapeutic approach is collaborative, client-centered, culturally sensitive, trauma-informed, and solution, goal, and trauma-focused, with a family systems EMDR cognitive processing and behavioral therapy foundation. He sees clients from all ages and stages of life. He works with children, individuals, couples, and families – including veterans and their families, going through a diverse spectrum of emotional, behavioral, relational, transitional, and life difficulties. Sao’s ultimate goal is to come alongside clients to counsel, empower, and equip them to overcome and resolve their problems and challenges, while stabilizing their lives, sustaining lasting improvement, and eventually becoming their own counselor in the process.

Pierre Matta, MA, LMFT-S
Senior Clinician

Pierre Matta has a Bachelor of Arts in Pastoral Studies from the Moody Bible Institute in Chicago, Illinois and a Master of Arts in Behavioral Sciences – Family Therapy from the University of Houston at Clear Lake. Pierre works with children (over the age of 11), adolescents, and adults. He provides individual, couple, and family therapy. Pierre has a family orientation and uses a variety of treatment modalities, selecting those that best serve the needs of his clients. Pierre was trained as a Christian minister and enjoys including spirituality in a client’s treatment plan when requested. Pierre is also an approved supervisor for licensed marriage and family therapy associates.

Leslie Rodriguez, LMSW
Clinician

Leslie received her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Texas A&M University and her Master’s degree of Social work from the University of Houston. She is under the supervision of Jaime Rivera, LCSW-S. Leslie’s passions are empowering clients to reach their goals and be the best version of themselves. Leslie provides individual, couples and family therapy for children, adolescents, and adults. She works with a variety of issues such as PTSD, depression, anxiety, low self-esteem, negative thinking patterns, and stress. Leslie uses a variety of therapeutic approaches to tailor to the client, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Solution Focused Brief Therapy, Trauma Focused CBT, and motivational interviewing. As a clinician, Leslie’s goal is to walk along with her clients and provide them with the tools necessary to reach their greater potential.

Emma Shepherd, LPC Associate
Clinician

One of the greatest joys I experience in clinical work is seeing each client grow not only in the clinical setting but also in their community and their lives at large. I strive to foster a safe and empowering environment for clients to explore their sense of self through processing emotions, life events, and ongoing stressors. I work to build a supportive therapeutic alliance with each client through understanding their unique worldview and challenges. I continue to be amazed by the strength and resilience demonstrated as the journey of healing is navigated. I am passionate about working with children, adolescents, and adults through providing psychotherapy for those facing mental health challenges, including depression, anxiety, ADHD, adjustment disorders, and more. I intend to use a variety of approaches, including cognitive behavioral therapy, person-centered therapy, and play therapy, to help clients achieve their goals. As a novice counselor, I collaborate with my clinical supervisor, Nazia Islam (LPC-S), to continue my own learning process. I intend to work alongside each client to create individualized treatment plans and embark on the journey of growth and healing together.

Milton Smith
Senior Clinician

Milton is a board certified Licensed Professional Counselor in the State of Texas and is currently working on becoming a clinical professional supervisor. He has 10 years of experience providing treatment to adolescents, and adults that have been impacted by abuse, depression, life transitions, mismanagement of anger/impulses, relationship challenges, and trauma. Milton is a Senior Clinician with Family Houston providing counseling to individuals, couples, and families within different stages of change by utilizing therapeutic modalities such as Cognitive Behavior Therapy, Cognitive Processing Therapy, Reality Therapy, and Solution-Focused Brief Therapy. He believes in helping individuals develop a healthier sense of perspective and of self. Ultimately, Milton’s goal is to provide a safe and supportive space where individuals feel empowered to make constructive changes

Tanja van Dam, MA, LPC
Senior Clinician

Tanja received her Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Abilene Christian University and her Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology from University of Texas Tyler. Tanja provides individual, couples, and family therapy for children, adolescents, and adults. She has worked in community settings with children and their families, as well as with adults diagnosed with severe mental health disorders. Although her primary modality is CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy), Tanja tailors treatment to the individual by using an array of therapeutic interventions. Tanja has a general interest in the treatment of trauma and trauma related issues, and focused her graduate studies in this area.

Judy Vo, M.Ed., LPC
Senior Clinician

Judy is a Bilingual Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC). She believes it is important for one to take time to thoroughly engage in self-exploration for the purpose of both gaining a better understanding of who they truly are, and attaining a healthy dose of self-awareness that will permit significant change to take place in their life. She received her Bachelor of Science in Hotel and Restaurant Management and her Master of Education in Counseling from the University of Houston-Main Campus. Fluent in Vietnamese and English, Judy provides individual, couples, and family counseling services for adults, adolescents, and children. Her experience spans anxiety, behavioral issues, life transitions or adjustments, stress, relationship problems, and depression. Because everyone is unique, she customizes therapeutic approaches based on the clients’ needs whether it may be Person-Centered Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Solution Focused Therapy, or a variety of other techniques. As a clinician, Judy will provide a safe environment to explore, support, and grow with clients as they move through their journey of life.

Alejandra Valdez, LMSW
Clinician

Alejandra is a bilingual Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW) fluent in Spanish and English. Alejandra received her Bachelors in Psychology at Humboldt State University and her Masters in Social Work at the University of Houston. Alejandra works with children, adolescents, and families. Alejandra's passions are mental health education and empowering clients to advocate for their needs. Alejandra uses a variety of treatment modalities including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Solution-Focused, and Client Centered approaches. Alejandra is currently under the supervision of Jaime Rivera, LCSW-S. 

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