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 work with adults and children (age 8-18) who are struggling with anxiety, depression, disordered eating, suicidal thoughts, grieving the loss of a loved one, or who have experienced or are experiencing trauma or abuse. My area of expertise also includes working with mothers who are experiencing postpartum depression.
While I work with all spiritualities and backgrounds, I have a niche in Christian counseling. I believe that focusing on individual strengths, positive thinking and/or building a relationship with a higher power are of the utmost importance in reaching ones’ full potential.
I have graduated with a Master of Arts in Counseling from Northwestern University, Evanston, IL. I have gained special certifications to work with trauma, Autism, ADHD, and grief. I am working toward getting basic-trained in EMDR in 2022 and am working toward earning a Registered Play Therapist designation.
Additionally, I am trained to understand the neuroscience of childhood trauma, and to administer trauma assessments. Some components that I like to incorporate into sessions are: play therapy, sand tray therapy, and body-based treatments for emotional and behavioral regulation.
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, Master of Art in Counseling, Northwestern University
2004, Master of Business Administration, University of Nottingham
Licensure and Certifications:
Licensed Professional Counselor-Associate, Supervised by Alice Payne, LPC-S, RPT-S and Nicole Ponce, LPC-S
National Certified Counselor (NCC)
Certified Child and Adolescent Trauma Practitioner (CATP)
Certified Autism Specialist (CAS), IBCCES
Certified ADHD Professional (ADHD-CCSP)
Certified Grief Counseling Specialist (CGCS)
EMDR Training (expected 2022)
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 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.
Nithya "Shakti" Shaktiroopananda
My Name is Shakti (Nithya Shaktiroopananda), and I am a Counselor-In-Training at Nicole Ponce Counseling.
I received my Bachelor of Arts with Honors in Psychology from The University of Texas At Austin in 2015, and I am excited to be in the process of completing my Master of Arts in Counseling from New York University in 2022.
Born and raised in Singapore, then moved to Houston, Texas, I have lived on both sides of the world map. I enjoy working with people from all walks of life, kids, teenagers, and adults as well.
I believe that every challenge, every adversity, contains within it the seeds of opportunity and growth. I feel privileged to be a part of your life’s journey, and I look forward to working with you!
In my free time, I enjoy yoga, meditation, and practicing mindfulness in my everyday life.
EDUCATION AND ACCREDITATIONS
EDUCATION
Masters of Arts in Counseling, New York University, NY (Graduation: July 2022)
Bachelor of Arts in Psychology with Minor in Business, University of Texas At Austin, TX
*I offer services in both English and Tamil!
Click Here to read about the services I offer and pricing information.