I am a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT), Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor (LCDC) and a Certified Life Coach. I have practiced for over 8 years in the Houston area, with a host of amazing people just like you. I work with individuals to assist them in overcoming the difficult periods in their lives. I will assist you to achieve your goals by providing a warm, compassionate, caring and safe place for you to express your concerns. A few of the areas I focus on are depression, anxiety, anger management, coping skills and parenting education. It takes a lot of courage to seek therapy and I admire your courage to face the challenges in your life. I encourage you to continue forward to explore how therapy can assist you. You will receive compassionate, effective therapy in a safe, comfortable, supportive environment. You will experience non-judgment, acceptance, and hope through the exploration of the therapeutic process with a therapist who is attentive, focused and understanding. I use a client-centered, strength-based approach and tailor therapy to each person. You are on your way to better health and wellness and I commend you for taking this step. I am looking forward to working with you!

Keep it Simple! Over several decades of studying and practicing a variety of counseling styles, I came to the conclusion that there is not just one “correct” way to understand human behavior. Each path has a unique focus, but no single framework could claim to deal with the wide variety of problems and challenges that people faced. During those years, I have worked with clients with a wide range of concerns including depression, anxiety, relationship issues, parenting problems, career challenges, and so forth. However, while the theories of psychotherapy were getting MORE complicated, the daily practice of working with the clients actually became simpler! I began to create a simple program that demonstrated that search for simplicity. With my current BetterHelp clients, we started to call this program “the Four SuperPowers”! Step One: listen to the client’s challenging stories Step Two: teach a simple exercise (superpower) to address those challenges Step Three: practice, and then repeat the first two steps! As a Licensed Professional Counselor and a licensed school teacher and counselor, I had always been a counselor at heart. Long before “Mindfulness” became popular, I served as the "Relaxation Therapist", having devised a pretty simple, yet universal, set of basic exercises to calm down any and all clients in the facilities in which I worked. My counseling sessions might combine the standard "Western" therapy models with more universal techniques. Also, a touch of humor and artistic creativity can be very helpful in the process. I look forward to traveling that Search for Simplicity with you!

Everyone has a story to tell. Whether it be long or short. It is your story. As a Licensed Professional Counselor with board certification and Master Certified Health Coach, I want to hear your story. Why? Because it is your story and you deserve to tell it. Your story could be about happiness, love, hurt, anger, stress, anxiety, depression, life transitions and grief just to name a few. Sometimes all anyone wants to do is tell someone caring and compassionate their perspective regarding their story. As a therapist, I believe in giving everyone I meet a clean, unbiased slate. No judgment here. I will use a holistic (mind and body), open-minded and solution-focused approach in assisting anyone in telling their story, processing the events and moving forward with their life goals. I will support and at times coach you on practical ways to build tools to help you navigate this thing we call life. My purpose is to help anyone who may be having struggles and needs help moving in the right direction. My intention is to assist and encourage as many people to become healthier and more well-rounded individuals both mentally and physically. I am able to discuss and treat a variety of behavior health concerns with the adult population (18+). I am trained in and able to use several therapeutic approaches such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Mindfulness training, Solution Focused Brief Therapy, and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) models while using my motivational interviewing skills to assist you in processing your story.

Dr. Jamaal “Doc J” Fortner is a south Louisiana native who combines his sense of home-spun Southern wisdom with evidence based practice. He brings an extensive clinical background that includes inpatient psychiatric care and outpatient clinical practice focused on members of the LGBTQ+ population and populations of color. Additionally, he holds specialties in substance abuse and domestic violence. Dr. Jamaal “Doc J” Fortner is an alumnus of Louisiana State University with a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and a Master of Health Administration. He is also an alumnus of the University of Southern California with a Master of Social Work and a Doctorate of Social Work. He is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in the states of Texas, Colorado and Nevada.

Welcome! If you are looking into Better Help, you are probably struggling with something significant in your life. Finding the right person to help you is essential. If you don't have a good relationship with your counselor, you won't make the progress you are hoping to achieve. I would like to provide you with some information about me, in order to help you decide if my experience and style is the right match for you. I am a licensed professional counselor with more than 30 years of experience in behavioral health. I have worked in both hospitals and outpatient settings, with people from all different backgrounds who struggle with a wide variety of challenges. Much of my experience has been working with people who are struggling with depression, anxiety, trauma, caregiving, relationship issues, polyamory, LGBTQ+ and gender issues. Although it may be comforting to believe that a therapist “has it all together,” the truth is that therapists are people with their own challenges, on their own journeys, just as you are. I am still learning, making mistakes, and moving past them. However, from where I am on my path, I hope to be able to see things on your path that you are unable to see, such as obstacles you are facing and alternatives you could try. I will treat you with sensitivity, respect, and warmth; first of all by getting to know you as a person, since you are the expert on your own life. You can expect me to walk with you through whatever difficulties you are facing and help you learn more about yourself and the way you interact with the world. Together, we can come up with goals and solutions that are going to work for you. I can work with you in whatever manner you are most comfortable. I find it helpful to participate in video sessions so that we can read each other’s expressions and nonverbal cues, But I am also available to you via phone and text if that is more comfortable for you. I check messages at least once during each day. Seeking therapy is not an easy decision to make. I know how hard it can be to find a counselor who you feel a connection with and I would be honored to work with you through this stage of your life.

I have been a LPC for the last 10 years and have worked with a very diverse group of clients. They range in age from 6 to 60. I specialize in adolescents and trauma. I have also worked with depression, anxiety, personal relationships, parenting problems, addictions, emotional abuse, and physical trauma. I utilize the person centered approach and make the client's best interest the center of all therapy. I promote a mutually respectful therapeutic environment in regards to sexuality and religion. I have worked with LBGQT populations along with adoption and foster parent populations. My approach combines cognitive behavioral therapy, reality therapy, and motivational interviewing. I focus on what the client feels is the problem and help them understand how to work through and deal with others while working on themselves. I ensure the treatment plan and sessions are mutually agreed upon throughout the entire duration of therapy. I have a flexible schedule and can see clients late evenings and weekends.

I have been licensed as a professional counselor (Texas LPC #10783) since 1991. I earned a Masters in Counseling (M.A.) with dual specializations in community mental health and substance abuse treatment at St. Mary's University in San Antonio, Texas. From 2005-2018 I provided Substance Abuse Professional (SAP) DoT Back-to-Work Evaluations and am currently re-entering the SAP evaluation field beginning in mid-2024. I have experience in helping clients with coping with addictions, motivation, self esteem, and confidence, career difficulties, & coping with life changes. While I currently only see adults in one-to-one settings, my background consists of all ages from 4 to 104 in 1:1, couples, family, and groups. I practice currently online, although the majority of my past includes working in my private practice office, in- and out-patient treament facilities, and on assignments with federal safety agencies such as Customs and Border Patrol and U.S. Coast Guard. I have utilized hypnosis in my individual private practice over the past 20 years. 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 almost 10 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, family conflicts, trauma and abuse, & parenting issues. 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 and New Mexico, in NM I have 20 years of working with the highest social work license, and in TX I have 13 years of working with the highest social work license. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, relationship issues, trauma and abuse, anger management, depression, PTSD, OCD, panic and phobias. I work with clients to create an open and safe environment where thoughts and feelings can be shared without fear of judgment. Taking the first step to sign up for therapy can take courage and I am proud of you for getting started!

I am a Licensed Professional Counselor and a Board Certified Counselor with the National Board of Certified Counselors. I am a Certified EMDRIA Consultant and Certified EMDR therapist specializing in the treatment of Grief/Loss, and Trauma recovery. I have extensive experience working with Veterans working to resolve trauma contributing to PTSD and Complex-PTSD. In addition, I have extensive experience in crisis stabilization. I am passionate in working with individuals who have experienced loss and assisting them in with grief management. I am certified in (EMDR) Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing, trained in (CPT) Cognitive Processing Therapy, Certified in (IPT) Interpersonal Therapy, and trained in Motivational Interviewing and Children's Play Therapy. I earned a Master of Science degree in Clinical Counseling from Bellevue University and have worked for the Local Mental Health Authority for four years before making a move to work in the Children and Adolescent Psychiatry Department for TTUHSC. While working at the Mental health Authority of El Paso I had the opportunity to work in the Crisis stabilization unit, and Veterans Clinic, the Central Outpatient services, and also for Court Services as a Forensic therapist. In addition I worked at EPBHS Psychiatric Hospital, . When working with clients I feel it is of utmost importance to maintain confidentiality and respect while assisting clients in the recovery process. I believe myself to be a kind and caring therapist and do my best to maintain a professional environment for clients to to explore emotions and underlying discomfort while building a strong professional rapport and a strong therapeutic alliance. I invite you to participate in a journey of self-discovery, increased self-worth, while developing and fine-tuning mindfulness and inner peace. There is so much to be learned in this life, and it is a whole lot easier when the journey is not alone.

I am licensed in Texas with 20 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, family conflicts, parenting, intimacy related issues, & depression. I work with my clients to create an open and safe environment where thoughts and feelings can be shared without fear of judgment. 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. 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 over 22 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, motivation, self esteem, and confidence, & career difficulties. I also have experience working with coping with life changes. 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 a licensed clinical social worker in Texas with 7 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with trauma and abuse, coping with grief and loss, sleeping disorders, anxiety, & depression. 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. I utilize solution focused brief therapy, motivational interviewing, and cognitive behavioral therapy in the work I do with individuals. 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 Oklahoma and Texas with 24 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, relationship issues, family conflicts, & parenting issues. 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 13 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, anger management, motivation, self esteem, and confidence, & depression. I also do happiness and resilience training. I work with my clients to create an open and safe environment where thoughts and feelings can be shared without fear of judgment. Taking the first step to sign up for therapy can take courage and I am proud of you for getting started!