Meet Our Therapists

Meet our Therapists

Dr. Kristy Donaldson PhD, LPC-S, RPT-S™, CHST
Certified Enneagram Coach
Animal-Assisted Counseling Ambassador
Owner of Premier Neurofeedback & Counseling Services, PLLC.

Clinical focus: I work with children, teens, and adults with a range of diagnoses, with extensive experience in treating Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders, Autism Spectrum Disorder, Sensory Processing Disorder, Generalized Anxiety Disorder, and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder.

I am an animal-assisted counselor and routinely bring my Great Pyrenees, Willow, to the clinic to work with individuals and families to achieve their goals.

Along with counseling services, I provide CANS assessments, bariatric evaluation for surgery, pain evaluations for pain stimulator pump trials, and am available for speaking engagements.

Professional Experience: I have the honor and privilege of owning Premier Neurofeedback and Counseling Services and am credentialed as a Licensed Professional Counselor and LPC Supervisor, Registered Play Therapist and Registered Play Therapy Supervisor, and Certified Humanistic Sand Therapist and Supervisor with a PhD in Psychology, specializing in Forensics.

I am a speaker, Certified Enneagram Coach (please see link under resources), and adjunct professor, most recently teaching at Tarleton State University. My work is published with the American Institute for the Advancement of Forensic Studies (AIAFS). I currently serve as the President-Elect of the Board of Directors for the Advocacy Center of Waco, President-Elect for the Heart of Texas Counseling Association, and Past-President for the Texas Association for Play Therapy. I am a sustainer with the Junior League of Waco. Additionally, I serving a three-year term on the International Journal of Play Therapy® editorial board, the Association for Play Therapy Awards of Excellence Committee, and the Association for Play Therapy Conference Program Committee.

Philosophy of Care: I believe in finding the therapeutic approach that best meets the need of the individual client. I see my client as a whole person and utilize whichever modality provides the most cathartic response as a prescriptive therapist. I am grateful for the opportunity to spend time with each client and guide their story toward healing the mind, body, and spirit.

Clinton Dennard
M.S., LPC

Clinical focus: Anxiety, Depression, Career Goals and Transitions, PTSD, Substance Abuse and Dependence, and ADD for Children, Teens, and Adults.

Professional Experience: I have practiced counseling as an LPC since 2010. I am currently an instructor in undergraduate Psychology for Tarleton State University, Waco campus, and am currently pursuing my doctorate through Texas A&M Commerce. I have been involved as a member in the Texas Counseling Association and served as President of the Heart of Texas Counseling Association from 2014-2015.

Philosophy of Care: Whatever your situation may be, I am here to help you grow and build a strong therapeutic alliance in attempt to establish a helping relationship that will help you reach your desired outcome. I will work with you to provide individualized service which is appropriate for your needs.

Cairen Wealand
M.A., LPC Associate
Supervised by Dr. Kristy Donaldson, LPC-S, RPT-S™, CHST

Clinical focus: Anxiety, trauma-related issues, and life transitions for adults

Professional Experience: Before becoming an LPC-Associate, I worked at Denver Children’s Home. There I supported youths overcoming trauma and various behavioral issues in their day-treatment and equine therapy programs. Most recently, I worked at the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor’s student counseling center and their community clinic counseling clients of all ages. I am currently under the supervision of Dr. Kristy Donaldson.

Philosophy of Care: I typically take a strengths-based approach, often utilizing a solution-focused framework. I use a variety of techniques like sensorimotor and cognitive-behavioral therapies as suits my clients' needs. I strive to fully engage clients in every part of their unique therapeutic journey, from planning to progress monitoring. I especially enjoy getting creative with clients to develop goals and solutions that work for them.

Heather Carey
M.A., LMFT Associate
Supervised by Christina Watts-Figueroa, MA, LMFT-S, LPC, RPT-S™, EMDRIA Certified Therapist and EMDR Approved Consultant

“You are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think.” AA Milne.

Clinical focus:

When working with children, I use play therapy. I have found this to be the best way to connect

with children. I was first introduced to how powerful play is in the lives of our children back

when my son was in preschool, this is where I learned that play is the language that children

use to communicate with the world around them. Play is the perfect modality to help heal

children and build connection with others. I was so excited, while in graduate school, I found

that play therapy was a practice that I could learn and integrate with my younger clients and

use to help build a strong therapeutic alliance. My belief is we can build a stronger and

healthier society if we can help our children to heal their hurts and insecurities then we will

help have healthier adults.

Professional Experience:

I received my Bachelors of Science in Psychology from William Jessup University where I also

received my Master of Arts in Counseling. I am currently an Associate Marriage and Family

Therapist with some training in Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. I have worked

in three different agencies where I have worked with all ages, but I especially like to work with

children, teens, and their families. I like to use a prescriptive approach to therapy, which means

that I pull from different modalities to meet the needs of the client. I am working towards my

Play Therapy Certification as I complete my therapy hours.

Philosophy of Care:

As a therapist I have the great honor to walk alongside with my clients to help them work on becoming the best self they can be. Many of us have survived trauma, loss, and

emptiness, therapy can help a person to build the skills to overcome these adversities. I enjoy

working with clients of all ages. I have a heart for those individuals and families that are

experiencing trauma from illness and grief.

Sierra Childers
M.S., LPC- Associate
Supervised by Kristy Donaldson, PhD, LPC-S, RPT-S™, CHST

Clinical focus:

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Anxiety disorders, Depression disorders, stress management relating to school, trauma issues, domestic violence, sex education.

Professional Experience:

I have a Masters of Science in Clinical Mental Health and Counseling. I have worked alongside doctors in a clinical setting to treat clients of all ages and various presenting concerns. I have also provided counseling services in a college counseling center. During my time at these facilities I worked with clients with anxiety disorders, depression, suicidal ideations, grief, family and relationship issues, personality disorders, career issues, school concerns, and fear of death and dying in elderly clients.

Philosophy of Care:

My counseling approach combines Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Solution Focused Therapy. My objective is to work with clients to establish and reach goals discussed at the beginning of the counseling process. I believe client’s are experts of their own life and should have a say in the development of their treatment plan.

Victor Brown
M.S., LPC-Associate
Supervised by Dr. Kristy Donaldson, PhD, LPC-S, RPT-S™, CHST

Clinical focus:

Children, Teens, Adults who are experiencing post traumatic stress symptoms,

anxiety, depression, life transitions, identity, parenting, marital/couples counseling, stress, and

mood disorders.

Professional Experience:

I graduated from Tarleton State University with a Master of Science in

Clinical Mental Health and Counseling. I have worked with in the academic environment at a

Student Counseling Center. I have also assisted individuals with developmental and intellectual

disabilities in the group home/workshop environment. Additionally, I am working towards becoming a Certified Personality Disorder Treatment Provider (C-PD).

Philosophy of Care:

I believe that anyone can benefit from therapeutic assistance. Throughout

our lives, our experiences contribute to how we approach and respond to situations and how

we view ourselves as well as the world around us. My approach to the therapeutic process

involves getting an understanding of people as they are and focusing on the needs in their

individual development. My goal is to identify a person’s intrinsic motivation to make the

necessary adjustments to navigate the obstacles in their life to achieve optimal mental and

emotional well-being, depression, life transitions, parenting, marital/couples counseling, stress, and mood disorders.

Tania Olivarri
Neurofeedback Technician
Graduate Student-Intern
Site Supervised by Kristy Donaldson, PhD, LPC-S, RPT-S™, CHST

Clinical focus:

Neurofeedback Technician

Professional Experience:

Working towards a Masters of Science in Clinical Mental Health and Counseling. I am currently serving in the position of neurofeedback technician. I am the practicum intern for Dr. Donaldson and working alongside her to learn about meeting the needs of our clients through various age appropriate modalities. I will be starting my LPC-Associates by Summer 2023. Additionally, I am working on becoming certificated in play therapy.

Philosophy of Care:

Being able to genuinely listen to clients and offer opportunities for healing and authentic connection throughout the therapeutic relationship, no matter the age or stage of life.

Willow
Canine Companion & Trained Therapy Dog
Graduate Canine of AACA at Texas State University
Pet Partner: Kristy Donaldson, PhD, LPC-S, RPT-S™, CHST

Clinical focus:

Providing PAWSITIVE connections with all her clients.

Professional Experience:

Completed training with her Pet Partner, Dr. Kristy Donaldson at Texas State University through Dr. Elizabeth Hartwig's Animal-Assisted Counseling Academy.

Philosophy of Care:

To look adoringly into your eyes, notice when you need emotional support by laying near you, pat you with my paw, play, eat, drink water, rest, sleep, shake, give hugs, potty outside, sit, lay down, play games, repeat from the beginning.

Jason Wilson
M.A., LMFT Associate

Supervised by Christina Watts-Figueroa, MA,
LMFT-S, LPC, RPT-S™, EMDRIA Certified
Therapist and EMDR Approved Consultant

“Don’t let pain define you, let it refine you.”

-Tim Fargo

Clinical focus:

I work with individuals of all ages and stages of life. I have experience helping
individuals with, mood disorders, Trauma, and relationship issues and extensive
experience and passion for helping Neurodivergent individuals with ADHD.

Professional Experience:

I obtained both my Bachelor of Science in Psychology and my Master of Arts in
Counseling from William Jessup University. Prior to being a therapist, I worked in group
homes for children with severe emotional disturbances. I have done a lot of work with
individuals of all ages who have been diagnosed with ADHD in addition to families who
have children with an ADHD diagnosis. Having ADHD and raising three boys with
ADHD I understand the unique challenges that this disorder can bring about. I also
have experience working with fire survivors who lost their homes and loved ones from
California wildfires, in addition to working alongside trauma victims to help them obtain a
sense of balance in their lives.

Philosophy of Care:

I take a prescriptive approach and tailor treatment for each individual client. You can’t
put mental health in a box and what works for one person may not work for someone
else. I use Acceptance and Commitment therapy, Cognitive Behavioral therapy,
Narrative Therapy and play therapy in my sessions in addition to several other
modalities all blanketed in a person-centered approach.
While I help individuals on their journey to better mental health, I also incorporate a
systems approach that looks at the overall picture of what led to someone getting to
where they are, and what environmental factors contribute to both the issue, and
solution.