I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Certified Daring Way™ Facilitator (CDWF) practicing in Waco, Texas. My therapeutic practice centers around teens, adults, and families facing challenges such as divorce, eating disorders, traumatic experiences, self-harming behaviors, grief/loss, and abuse. My approach is to resource my clients with tools so they are empowered with the ability to create a more secure, healthy, and loving relationships. I also work to create an atmosphere and a dynamic set of coping tools for the client to be more powerful and directive in their own life choices. What I love so much about my practice is discovering what resonates and supports each person’s specific process the most. All of us heal and express life differently and the work I do with my clients is individualized and specific to them. Through creativity, many of the challenges and traumas can be resolved in a powerful way. ​

Congratulations and welcome. You are about to take an important step to a better well -being. I have experience in working with families, children, adolescents, and adults for more than 18 years. My initial counseling experience was in a sexual assault crisis center and evolved to working in mental health positions assisting migrants, geriatric patients, and individuals of all ages. While working with individuals, I also have experience in group therapy and family and couples therapy. I am compassionately straight forward to help you achieve your therapeutic goals. Specialties: Depression Trauma Transition in Life Anxiety Identity Self Esteem Clinical approaches: Client-Centered Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Existential Therapy, Solution-Focused Therapy Years of Experience: 18 years

"Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass, it's about learning to dance in the rain." -Vivian Greene. For more than 20 years, I have had the privilege of providing behavioral health services for individuals experiencing a variety of mental health issues and personal challenges. I believe in empowering my clients through emotional support, gaining insight, learning coping skills, and learning how to challenge those beliefs and thoughts that increase suffering. Along with mindfulness and cognitive approaches, I use somatic therapies that help you access your body's intrinsic healing capabilities. I would like to work with you to help you achieve lasting changes in your life. My counseling style is collaborative, compassionate, empowering, and goal-directed. I'm an empathetic listener, and I also teach, gently challenge, inspire, motivate, and encourage you to come to your own conclusions. I am a Somatic Experiencing® Practitioner, and I have integrated these skills in my practice since 2015. I am also trained in Integral Somatic Psychology.

I am licensed in Texas with 7 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, coping with addictions, trauma and abuse, major mental health disorders. I believe in treating everyone with respect, sensitivity, and compassion. I will tailor our dialog and treatment plan to meet your unique and specific needs. It takes courage to seek out a more fulfilling and happier life and to take the first steps towards a change. I am here to support & empower you in that journey.

PhD, LPC-S, LCDC. Licensed in both Arizona and Texas, I have over 10-years of clinical supervisor experience (LPC-S). My expertise is working with individuals experiencing life stressors, including determining values and finding meaning and purpose in life, work-life balance, stress, anxiety, depression, relationship difficulties, parenthood, family stress, and relationship endings. My goal is to help you understand new perspectives and gain control of your life. I work with individuals struggling with addiction, bipolar, relationship crises, trauma, depression, and grief. As your therapist, I believe in fostering a sense of hope. My counseling style is always open, highly interactive, and positive. I believe that you are the expert on your story and that you have many strengths that will assist you in overcoming challenges. In addition to providing feedback, I will pose challenges and make observations that you are encouraged to analyze, reject, or discuss in greater detail. Our collaboration will ensure that you achieve your therapy goals and are satisfied with the results. Getting started in therapy takes courage, so congratulations on taking the first step!

Hi! My name is Michael Pontello (she/her) and I am licensed in Texas with 14 years of professional work experience in the non-profit sector and am taking a new step in my journey as a therapist and supporting clients on the BetterHelp platform. I have a variety of experiences in helping diverse clients, especially those with lgbt-related issues. I work with my clients to create an open and safe environment where thoughts and feelings can be shared without fear of judgment. Therapy and the conversations that take place in a therapeutic settings can be quite transformative and I aim to engage in those conversations with clients. Taking the first step to sign up for therapy can take courage and I am proud of you for getting started!

I am licensed in Texas with 10 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, relationship issues, trauma and abuse, & anger management. I believe that you are the expert of your story and that you have many strengths that will assist you in overcoming things that challenge you. Taking the first step to sign up for therapy can take courage and I am proud of you for getting started!

I am licensed in Texas with over 18 years of professional social work and some mental health-specific experience. I have experience helping clients with trauma and abuse, intimacy-related issues, motivation, self-esteem, and confidence, & career difficulties. I believe in treating everyone with respect, sensitivity, and compassion. I will tailor our dialog and treatment plan to meet your unique and specific needs. It takes courage to seek out a more fulfilling and happier life and to take the first steps towards a change. I am here to support & empower you in that journey.

I am licensed in Texas with over 26 years of having the honor of connecting with amazing individuals. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, coping with addictions, coping with grief and loss, & motivation, self esteem, confidence, relationships and so much more. I believe in treating everyone with respect, sensitivity, and compassion. I will tailor our dialog and treatment plan to meet your unique and specific needs. Taking the first step to seeking a more fulfilling and happier life takes courage. I am here to support you in that process.

I am licensed bilingual (Spanish/English) therapist in the state of Texas, with over 12 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, relationship issues, trauma and abuse, motivation, self esteem, and confidence. I believe in treating everyone with respect, sensitivity, and compassion. I will tailor our dialog and treatment plan to meet your unique and specific needs. Taking the first step to seeking a more fulfilling and happier life takes courage. I am here to support you in that process.

I am licensed in Texas with 14 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, relationship issues, men's issues, career difficulties, & depression. I believe that you are the author of your story and that you have many strengths that will assist you in overcoming life's challenges. It takes courage to seek out a more fulfilling and happier life and to take the first steps towards change. I am here to support and empower you in that journey.

I am currently a Licensed Clinical Social Worker for the states of Florida, New Jersey, District of Columbia and Utah. The clients I work with are full of diversity and have a variety of issues in their day to day lives. Together, we overcome relational turmoil, depression, anxiety and low self-esteem. I love helping my clients heal through trauma, pain and/or negative thoughts - that’s why I named my practice Meraki Therapy. The word Meraki means to place creativity, soul and passion in what you do - I believe that is the beauty of what we do in therapy. The first couple sessions, you can expect us to dive into the root of what is getting in the way of your happiness. I take pride in being non-judgmental and easy to talk to this way you can feel comfortable in sharing your story. My therapeutic approach is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) which means you can expect to complete homework assignments focusing on your inner-self. At the moment, I am available for telehealth sessions including phone and live chats. I am very flexible in my responses and get back to you within 24 hours. It's important keep transparent communication with each other in order to build a strong therapeutic alliance.

I am licensed in Oregon and Texas with 19 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, coping with addictions, relationship issues, & family conflicts. I work with my clients to create an open and safe environment where thoughts and feelings can be shared without fear of judgment. It takes courage to seek out a more fulfilling and happier life and to take the first steps towards a change. I am here to support & empower you in that journey.

I am licensed in Texas with 4 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, relationship issues, anger management, & motivation, self esteem, and confidence. I believe that you are the expert of your story and that you have many strengths that will assist you in overcoming things that challenge you. Taking the first step to seeking a more fulfilling and happier life takes courage. I am here to support you in that process.

I am licensed in Texas with 8 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, lgbtq+ related issues, coping with grief and loss, & motivation, self esteem, and confidence. I believe in treating everyone with respect, sensitivity, and compassion. I will tailor our dialog and treatment plan to meet your unique and specific needs. Taking the first step to sign up for therapy can take courage and I am proud of you for getting started!