Our Team
Nicole Ponce, LPC-S, LCDC
I believe that every person wants to and is capable of living a fulfilling and positive life; they only need to remove the barriers. Utilizing a person-centered approach, I will work with you towards your individualized goals and help you to access your full potential.
My practice is grounded in attachment theory and my areas of expertise and passions include trauma, family of origin work, drug and alcohol abuse, perinatal mental health and relational therapy.
I have specialized training in EMDR, Trauma-informed yoga, Perinatal mental health, mindfulness techniques, and Dialectical Behavior Therapy.
I completed my Master's Degree in Community Counseling at the University of Houston-Victoria. I have since worked in a variety of settings, including residential care, drug rehabilitation centers, outpatient therapy, and children's therapy.
Click Here to read about the services I offer and pricing information.
Experience
Nicole Ponce Counseling | Owner of Nicole Ponce Counseling: Providing individual therapy, relational therapy, adolescent therapy, and family therapy.
Fulshear Treatment to Transition | Residential Treatment: Providing individual therapy, family therapy, and group therapy for adult women diagnosed with sub-acute mental health disorders.
DePelchin Children's Center | Community Setting: Provided individual and family counseling to children, adolescents, and families.
West Oaks Hospital-Excel Center | Outpatient Setting: Provided group therapy to adults diagnosed with sub-acute to acute mental health disorders.
Cenikor Foundation-Odyssey House | Residential Rehabilitation: Provided individual therapy, family therapy, and group therapy for adolescents struggling with drug abuse and addiction.
The Harris County Center for Mental Health and IDD | School and Home Based Setting: Provided skills training, case management, and education to children with a current mental health diagnosis and their families.
Education
Master of Education in Counseling, University of Houston-Victoria, 2012
Bachelor of Science in Psychology, UnIversity of Houston, 2010
Training
EMDR Basic Training Course | Compassionworks
Perinatal Mood Disorders-Components of Care | Postpartum Support International
Advanced Perinatal Mental Health Psychotherapy Training | PSI
2021 LPC LMFT Supervisor Training | Kate Walker
200 HR Yoga Teacher Training | YogaRenew
Trauma-Informed Yoga Certification | My Vinyasa Practice
Yoga for Trauma | Michele Ribeiro, ED.D, CGP
2020 Trauma and Addiction Online Conference | PESI
Gottman Method Couple's Therapy Level 1 | Gottman Institute
Play Therapy Course | DePelchin Children's Center
DBT Skills Training Course | The Linehan Insitute
Evidenced Based Trauma Treatments and Interventions Seminar | Dr. Eric Gentry
Internal Family Systems Seminar | Dr. Frank Anderson
10th Annual Eating Recovery Foundation Conference | Eating Recovery Foundation
Stephanie Choo, LPC-Associate, NCC
Supervised by Nicole Ponce, LPC-S and Alice Payne, LPC-S
I specialize in working with families and individuals who have experienced or are experiencing trauma and abuse. I also see individuals who are suffering from anxiety, depression, suicidal thoughts or disordered eating.
While offering trauma-based treatment in my sessions, I truly focus on the aspects of my clients that need closure and healing. I believe everyone can recover from the past and lead their best lives. I have faith in the healing and future potentials of my clients! I focus on what each person wants and encourage my clients take the lead in our therapeutic sessions. While I am a person-centered therapist, I incorporate EMDR, positive psychology, CBT, DBT, and ACT as some of my therapeutic modalities, I meet you at where you are and I respect everyone’s worldview. I believe being able to view life from another person’s lens is one of the most important building blocks to having a strong therapeutic relationship with any of my clients.
My area of expertise also includes working with those who are grieving the loss of a loved one. When it comes to offering grief counseling, I am a Certified Grief Counseling Specialist and am trained to provide body-based treatment composed of emotional and behavioral regulation components. I am trained in Grief therapy, understand the circumstances of bereavement and offer appropriate grief counseling treatment approaches to my clients.
I work with children ages 8 and above, as I believe in healing the little ones before they make it to adulthood. To assist me better in my therapeutic approaches with my young clients, I have received several certificates, among them are:
- Certified Child and Adolescent Trauma Practitioner,
- Certified Autism Specialist,
- Certified ADHD Professional.
I am trained to understand the neuroscience of childhood trauma, and to administer trauma assessments and also to incorporate play therapy in treatment sessions while understanding the essential components of Trauma-Informed Treatments. I am working towards earning a Registered Play Therapist designation while utilizing child-centered play therapy and sand tray with my young clients.
In my free time, I enjoy spending time with my husband and children, cooking, reading, traveling and spending time in my meditation/prayer room.
Click Here to read about the services I offer and pricing information.
Education:
2020, Masters of Art in Counseling, Northwestern University
2004, Masters of Business Administration, University of Nottingham
License, Certifications:
Licensed Professional Counselor-Associate, Supervised by Alice Payne, LPC-S, RPT-S and Nicole Ponce, LPC-S
National Certified Counselor (NCC)
EMDR Training (expected 2022)
Certified Child and Adolescent Trauma Practitioner (CATP)
Certified Autism Specialist (CAS), IBCCES
Certified ADHD Professional (ADHD-CCSP)
Certified Grief Counseling Specialist (CGCS)
RPT, Registered Play Therapist (in process)
Professional Activities and Memberships
Member, American Counseling Association (ACA)
Member, Texas Counseling Association (TCA)
Member, Association for Play Therapy (APT)
Member, Association for Child and Adolescent Counseling (ACAC)
Member, The American Association of Christian Counselors (AACC)
Member, Association for Spiritual, Ethical and Religious Values in Counseling (ASERVIC)
Counseling Students
Angeles Araujo
I am currently in my last year as a University of Houston Clearlake graduate student. I work with both children and adults working to improve their mental health. I offer services in both English and Spanish! My sessions will be supervised by Nicole Ponce, LPC-S. While she won't be in the room, she will be using her expertise to help guide the process.
I have worked with kids ages 5-12 in a HISD Title I public school. I helped kids struggling with anxiety, depression, and eating disorders. I particularly worked a lot with kids who only spoke Spanish and who were adjusting to recently arriving to the United States.
Aside from this, I have worked as a bilingual psychometrist for the past 2 years giving me an expertise in a variety of assessments. Before working as a psychometrist, I was a mentor in a residential facility for women struggling with an array of mental health struggles and addictions, where I helped guide and teach them through a very hands-on and modeling approach.
In my free time I like to enjoy nature walks and exploring different coffee shops in Houston. It’s never too cold or hot for an iced coffee!
*I offer services in both English and Spanish
Click Here to read about the services I offer and pricing information.
Jackie Sarager
I practice a counseling approach that invites you to come as you are, without expecting to stay that way. A facilitator is someone who makes travel easier, and that is how I see my role as you navigate your journey. I believe in a strengths-based approach that heals the body and mind and is focused on your needs. My goal is to create a space that feels safe, positive, non-judgmental, and compassionate to help you move forward to your goals. I am currently a practicum clinician completing requirements at Northwestern University for Mental Health Counseling. My sessions will be supervised by Nicole Ponce and professors at Northwestern University. Though they will not be in the room, they will provide guidance and expertise.
I am a trauma certified yoga instructor, having taught yoga for over 10 years in various settings, including several hospitals. I was a business coach and mentor for 10 years. I am also a mother of 4 children. I have a background as a Special Education teacher, where I taught middle school students with Severe Disabilities. Additionally, I did an internship working in Romania in a Children's hospital and orphanage.
Education:
Master's of Art in Counseling, Northwestern University (Graduating in 2023)
Bachelor's of Science in Special Education, Brigham Young University (2006)
Certifications:
200 Hour Certified Yoga Instructor, Yogafit
140 Hour Warriors (Trauma) Certification, Yogafit
Click Here to read about the services I offer and pricing information.