Staff

Dear Future Client,

I offer mental health therapy, psychological testing, and educational assessment/consultation to children and adults.  I also offer couples and family counseling.

The principles of human connection form the basis of how I practice.  From a trusting relationship, we are able to achieve symptom reduction and accomplish your goals. Simply, I believe in helping people of all ages find connection and validation, and I am there to help you explore ways to improve your life and the lives of your children.

Background

I received my BA in Psychology from Thomas Edison State University and MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Walden University with treatment specializations in trauma, forensics, career, military families, and addictions.  I have been practicing therapy in Texas for five years.  Because relationships with others is important, when we can cultivate meaningful connections with others and understand ourselves better through those connections, we can grow and reach our goals.  My relationship with you will be accepting, supportive, and empathic.

I have experience compassionately treating children and adults who have experienced anxiety, depression, stress, substance use issues, and communication challenges, among other issues.  I am also able to help families and couples move toward a better place of understanding and communication.  We can work together to identify your wants and needs, develop a research-based treatment plan to support your growth, and evaluate together (regularly) how therapy is impacting you. We are in this together.

Theoretical Orientation and Approach

I became a therapist because I don’t want you to feel unwanted emotional pain, stress, or disengagement. I want to help free you from what is holding you back so you can move forward with inner strength and self-understanding.  Towards this end, I adopt an eclectic approach to therapy; I use numerous interventions to meet your needs, including

*Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT)

*Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT)

*Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)

*Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)

*Internal Family Systems Therapy (IFS)

*Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT)

I am honored to have the opportunity to support you in your journey. I can’t wait to hear from you!

Stuart

My name is Dr. April Saint, and I offer educational consultation.  I  work with parents and leaders in schools/school districts where I provide teacher training in various settings.  I also provide community-based seminars to local organizations.

For Parents:

As a parent of two children myself, I know you want the very best for your children's lives, including success and contentment in school, college and career.  Conflicts and uncertainties in today’s complex world can create parenting challenges, though--our kids can experience stress and anxiety as a result of trauma, issues at school, or conflicts at home.  Anxiety and stress can prevent children from fulfilling their potential.  In my role as consultant, I can support parents in finding the best ways to meet the needs of children and families.

Services for Parents:

*Consult with you, your child, and ARD committee in developing effective 504/IEP plans

*Evaluate discipline issues at home and/or school and offer solutions to improve relationships, connections, and behavior

*Assess your child’s current level of educational development by using norm-referenced standardized tests and provide clear, research-based strategies to improve academic performance

*Coach children using techniques and intervention to improve children's lives at home and school

*And soon--provide clinical services, including in-home mental health therapy, to children and families

I want to holistically support you and your children.  One of the most common themes among the families I have supported throughout the years has been parental feelings of deep isolation.  Parents can come to believe they are alone in coping with educational and behavioral challenges; parents can feel “stuck” in not knowing how best to support their children.  I want to support you so that you know you are not alone; I desire to empower you with certainty, confidence, and knowledge.

For Schools and School Districts:

As part of my expertise and training, I also offer professional development workshops to school districts, schools, and institutions across the country.  I have delivered trainings and presentations, including seminars about

*Implementing trauma informed practices in the classroom

*Using brain-based learning theory to improve children’s cognitive performance

*Supporting developmentally appropriate early literacy skills (Pre-K to 2nd grade) to promote reading achievement

*Planning and delivering effective classroom discipline strategies based on trauma sensitive practices

For Community-Based Partners:

I also offer community-based seminars in schools through PTSA organizations, in churches as part of Mother’s Day Out programs, and at other organizations serving the community without charge as a way of giving back to our community.  These seminars are formatted mainly for parents and can include

*Developmentally appropriate strategies to promote beginning reading skills in Pre-K-2nd grade

*Effective study skills, including exam preparation, notetaking skills, reading strategies, and time management skills, for students in grades 4-12

*Using mindfulness-based strategies at home and in the classroom

*Understanding adolescent development for parents using neurocognitive science and brain-based research as a guide

*Raising children with discipline strategies that promote safety, learning, and growth guided by trauma sensitive guidelines

*Improving general writing and communication skills (4th-12th grade)

Education and Experience

Since becoming a professional educator in 1998, I spent the next fifteen years as first a teacher, then as a counselor and administrator in varied educational settings, including working as an administrator in the private sector for a nationally recognized education firm that provided consultation and programs for children’s academic and emotional needs.  Since 2013, I have worked as a private education consultant, assisting educational professionals in understanding trauma-informed discipline strategies and neurocognitive science research in learning, with a research interest in early childhood education.  Recently, I graduated with an MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and am working toward becoming licensed by Texas as a clinical mental health therapist (LPC Intern) to provide greater depth of services to families and children.  I also recently completed my internship (required for my MS) at Llano ISD, serving students in alternative education programs and at the junior and senior high school.  And I will be beginning a second doctorate in Developmental Psychology soon to support my ongoing learning.

I received my bachelor’s degree in education from Louisiana State University (LSU); I hold master’s degrees in education (MEd), school counseling, (MA in Counseling and Guidance) and Clinical Mental Health Counseling (MS) from Louisiana State University-Shreveport, Louisiana Tech, and Walden University, respectively.  Additionally, I hold a doctorate in education (EdD in Teacher Leadership) from Walden University.  Currently I am waiting to take the national counselor exam so I can provide clinical services as an LPC Intern, including counseling, in addition to my work in consulting and advocacy.

My doctoral training in understanding relationships in schools and how collaborative relationships improve teacher retention shapes the way I see organizational growth and learning.  It is through meaningful, trusting relationships that students learn best and teachers can support student learning most effectively.  By helping parents, teachers, and organizations cultivate positive and sensitive relationships among each other, my work often promotes positive change.

Whether you are a parent, child advocate, school/district leader, or leader in a local organization, I look forwards to hearing from you soon!

Dr. April Saint