Our therapists provide family therapy in Waco, TX

Dr. Chris Hansen is a Licensed Professional Counselor, Clinical Supervisor, and Nationally Certified Counselor (LPC-CS-NCC). Chris has experience working with teens, adults, and seniors who are coping with severe psychological psychotic disorders, abuse, trauma, PTSD, addiction, domestic violence, and more. Given his extensive military experience, Chris has a passion for and specializes in treating military members and their families.

Dr. Hansen Served 24 years in the United States Navy, is a disabled veteran, and is a member of several veteran's mental health groups and associations. Chris obtained his Master's Degree from Texas A&M and his Doctorate from St. Mary’s University and graduated with honors from both programs. Chris has a very wide range of clinical experience ranging from inpatient, outpatient programs such as IOP/PHP, the Veterans Administration, Private Practice as well as clinical research and contract mental health work.

Partner together with Chris to start addressing the obstacles that you're encountering in your personal life. He'll work together to craft a personalized treatment plan that addresses your needs and concerns with expert guidance and compassion. 

Chloe Gibson is a Licensed Professional Counselor Associate with 2 years of experience. She enjoys assisting adolescents and adults with a range of concerns such as depression, anxiety, anger, academic stress, low self-esteem, grief/loss, trauma, and life transitions. Before joining Thriveworks, Chloe worked in settings including university, partial hospitalization, crisis intervention, and community outreach. With an empathic listening ear, Chloe provides a safe place for clients to tell their stories. She focuses on strengths, not flaws, and how to use them to cultivate resilience.

Chloe received her Master of Science in Counseling Psychology from Angelo State University. She takes an eclectic approach to therapy and uses a variety of modalities including cognitive behavioral therapy, solution-focused brief therapy, emotion-focused therapy, narrative therapy, and positive psychology.

Many people equate themselves with their issues, but Chloe encourages you to externalize the problem and write a new story. She views you as the expert and guides you through challenges while instilling confidence. If you are ready to better your mental health, reach out to Chloe today!

LPC Associate Supervised by Traci Phipps LPC-S

Dr. Denitrea F. Vaughan is a Licensed Professional Counseling-Supervisor (LPC-S) with almost 20 years of of experience in the mental health field. She is passionate about helping adolescents, adults, couples, and families. Dr. Vaughan is compassionate with a strong desire to walk through life with others to offer support and help in their healing process in their unique life challenges; so they might live more joyous and fulfilled lives. She specializes in anger management, mood instability, grief, trauma, relationship issues, and life adjustments/transitions.

Dr. Vaughan completed her Master's and Doctoral degrees in Clinical Psychology with the Texas School of Professional Psychology at Argosy University of Dallas, Texas. Most of Dr. Vaughan's experience has been with juveniles in the juvenile justice system as well as the geriatric population in nursing homes and rehabilitation centers, with other various populations sprinkled throughout her years of working in the field. Her very versatile experience enables her to provide guidance and support to very broad and unique populations and settings. Dr. Vaughan utilizes various treatment techniques including mindfulness, brainspotting, and grounding exercises, as well as various exercises for processing grief, such as the empty chair exercise.

Her main theoretical orientation is cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), with experience in motivational interviewing and certification in aggression replacement training (ART). Dr. Vaughan is eager to support and challenge you on your life journey through this process of life. She is excellent at offering new perspectives and techniques that assist in coping with these various life situations. If you are ready to be brave and embark on this journey of change and healing, schedule an appointment with Dr. Vaughan today!

James Atkison is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) with over 12 years experience in the mental health field. He has experiences with trauma, PTSD, suicidal and non-suicidal self injury, as well as depression and anxiety. He works with children, adolescents, adults to help them achieve the success they are desiring.

James completed his Master's degree in Counseling Psychology at the University of Central Oklahoma. He is a combat veteran from the Army and understands the stresses of transitioning to civilian life. This, in addition to his professional experience, enables him to provide the guidance and support his clients are seeking. James utilizes multiple treatment approaches including mindfulness, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy (TF-CBT), cognitive processing therapy (CPT), and motivational interviewing (MI).

Life is like a river with calm waters and rapids. James is confident that he would be able to provide you will the tools to navigate the river of Life. If you are ready to gain the tools and knowledge you need to navigate the rapids in your life, schedule an appointment with him today.

I am a Licensed Professional Counselor in Louisiana and Texas with 9 years of experience. Since 2016, I’ve dedicated my career to supporting individuals in navigating anxiety, self-esteem, depression, life transitions, focus issues, and overcoming challenges. My approach is centered on helping clients shift thought patterns to create healthier perspectives, and I work to provide a professional yet welcoming environment where people feel heard, understood, and supported. I aim to help reduce anxiety and depression, while empowering clients to overcome obstacles and build resilience for long-term growth and positive change.

I earned my Master’s in Counseling and Guidance from Louisiana Tech University. I use cognitive behavioral therapy to guide clients in addressing challenges with new perspectives. By focusing on skills such as self-reflection and positive affirmations.

I understand firsthand how difficult mental health struggles can be, and I bring that insight into my work with every client. My goal is always to listen with compassion, meet clients where they are, and offer personalized support that addresses their unique needs and lived experiences, helping them move forward with confidence.

Luz Ordaz is a bilingual Licensed Professional Counselor, who is being supervised by Chris Hansen LPC-S, with 2 years of experience supporting diverse populations. With a background in both military and civilian sectors, Luz brings a broad skillset to help clients overcome emotional challenges such as addictions, parenting, and relationship issues. She supports clients dealing with anxiety and depression, promotes social justice, and upholds high ethical standards.

Luz earned her Master’s in Mental Health Wellness Counseling from Angelo State University. She is committed to building strong, lasting relationships that support her clients’ therapeutic goals. Luz values a compassionate, client-centered approach and encourages growth through validation, trust, and understanding.

Therapy with Luz empowers clients to gain insight, build resilience, and move forward. She believes expressing emotions fosters healing, deeper self-awareness, and stronger relationships. Luz is passionate about helping individuals navigate life’s challenges while equipping them with coping skills for lasting emotional well-being.

I am a licensed professional counselor (LPC) with 4 years of experience working with individuals ages 12 through 40+ who are navigating anxiety, depression, relationship challenges, and symptoms that interfere with daily functioning. I strive to create a supportive, nonjudgmental environment where clients feel heard, understood, and empowered as they work toward meaningful and lasting change.

I earned my master’s degree in counseling from the University of Texas Permian Basin. My work is practical and skills-focused, incorporating dialectical behavior therapy, internal family systems, and EMDR to address underlying emotional patterns, trauma, and somatic symptoms. I integrate psychoeducation to help clients better understand their experiences.

Therapy with me is a collaborative process where you can feel safe, supported, and understood. We will work at a pace that feels right for you, building insight and practical tools to help you feel more grounded, confident, and capable in your daily life.

Nikki Easter is a Licensed Professional Counselor with 12 years of experience. She began her career supporting individuals with substance use challenges, and later expanded her expertise to clients facing trauma, grief, anxiety, and identity-related concerns. Nikki has worked extensively with marginalized populations, including those experiencing chronic homelessness, domestic violence, and severe mental illness.

Nikki earned her Master’s in Community Counseling from Argosy University. She uses a trauma-informed, strength-based approach. She primarily uses CBT and integrates modalities like ACT, mindfulness, distress tolerance, and psychodynamic therapy to support healing and emotional growth in clients of all backgrounds.

Nikki believes healing isn’t linear. She creates a safe, judgment-free space for clients to work through fears, doubts, and emotional setbacks. Nikki’s compassionate approach helps you move forward with confidence and clarity when navigating trauma or life transitions.

Victor Taylor is a Licensed Professional Counselor with 8 years of experience. He specializes in anxiety and depression and helps clients navigate the complexities of these mental health challenges. Victor’s ideal client feels overwhelmed by persistent feelings of worry and sadness and is seeking a supportive and understanding environment to explore these symptoms. They may struggle with daily functioning, experience difficulty in relationships, or find it hard to enjoy activities they once loved. The primary goal is to create a safe, non-judgmental space where clients can openly discuss their thoughts and feelings.

Victor received his Master’s in Clinical Mental Health from Old Dominion University. Through evidence-based techniques such as cognitive behavioral therapy and mindfulness practices, Victor works with clients to identify and challenge negative thought patterns, develop coping strategies, and build confidence.

Victor’s goal is to empower others to regain control over their lives, improve their emotional well being, and achieve a greater sense of balance and fulfillment. By addressing both the symptoms and underlying causes of anxiety and depression, clients will move towards a healthier and more hopeful future.

Julie Burnett is a counselor with 11 years of experience. Her focus is working with clients ages 11 and older — individuals, couples, and/or families. Julie believes that all people deserve to be treated with respect and, therefore, respect is a foundational part of her counseling sessions. Julie specializes in general mental health, relationships, grief and loss, domestic abuse, and parenting. She believes that clients are the experts on their own lives, so they are the ones to choose the topics for each session while Julie brings various techniques that can help. Together they create healthy life goals and decide what techniques they want to try. Julie believes that she is here simply to be a helping hand, a listening ear, and a friendly guide as the client navigates through difficult times. In order to help clients find their way to healing on the other side of pain, Julie provides new insights, teaches new skills, introduces new knowledge, helps to broaden the client’s focus, and encourages clients to practice new skills. While Julie will never preach to the client or try to change their beliefs about faith, as a Christian, she views the world through a biblical lens.

Since she was young, Julie has wanted to help people work through their problems so they can have happier, healthier lives. She often found herself being the one her friends went to for help with their problems. She saw counseling as a way to help others. During her studies she was excited to learn that the best helping skill is listening non-judgmentally, the one skill she had been practicing since she was young. She also learned many other counseling techniques and skills that she integrates into sessions with clients. Since earning her counseling degree in 2011, she has served in a variety of settings. She has worked with victims of domestic violence and sexual assault survivors, with active and recently retired military personnel, and with high school students. She has also kept a private practice where she has been able to work with all ages and a variety of issues. As she has worked with clients throughout the years, she has found that, regardless of age, healthy relationships and boundary setting are typically common goals for clients as we all strive to live a healthy, productive life. Julie allows the client to lead the session while she helps keep it focused on the path toward healing and healthy life goals. Some of the therapies Julie uses include person-centered, Adlerian, cognitive behavioral, and mindfulness.

Julie understands that reaching out for counseling can be a scary time for clients. But she would like you to know that you have nothing to fear from her. Counseling with Julie is a safe space where all emotions are welcome, she will not judge you for your thoughts, actions, or emotions! Julie has been told that she is a very down-to-earth counselor, and she is excited to meet you and help you begin your journey on the path to a healthier and more joyful life.

Dominica Johnson is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) who has 5 years of experience working with all different populations, including adults, children/adolescents, and geriatric, while providing individual, family, couples, and group counseling. Dominica has also worked with clients who suffer from drug/alcohol addiction, depression, anxiety, family/relationship issues, anger problems, communication problems, and severe mental health disorders such as schizophrenia, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), bipolar disorder, attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), etc. She has helped many people who have experienced physical trauma, sexual abuse, and emotional abuse.

Dominica completed her Master of Science (MS) in Mental Health Counseling at Capella University. She is easygoing, open, accepting, and flexible. Her counseling style is warm, collaborative, and welcoming. Dominica’s approach combines cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), humanistic, psychodynamic, solution-focused therapy, person-centered therapy, and rational-emotive counseling. She will tailor your dialog and treatment plan to meet your unique and specific needs/goals. Seeking counseling can be a hard step for anyone to take. Dominica is here to support and empower you in your time of need, and she looks forward to working with you!

I am a licensed professional counselor (LPC) with 12 years of experience in the mental health field. I specialize in helping individuals navigate depression, anxiety, anger management, and life transitions. My work includes supporting men managing intense emotional responses, couples who feel disconnected, and individuals who feel stuck or overwhelmed by circumstances that make it difficult to move forward.

I earned my master’s degree in counseling from Texas Wesleyan University in Fort Worth. My clinical experience includes work in a behavioral health hospital serving individuals with significant emotional and mental health challenges. I primarily use narrative therapy, helping clients explore how their life experiences have shaped their current challenges.

Together, we will examine the stories that have been shaping your thoughts, emotions, and decisions. I help clients identify strengths, reconnect with personal values, and build clarity around what matters most to them. My goal is to support you in moving forward with renewed purpose, confidence, and direction in your life.

Welcome! I am Monika Parker, a Licensed Professional Counselor Associate and National Certified Counselor in Texas, who is currently being supervised by Adam Dueber LPC-S. I earned my Masters in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Grand Canyon University. I invite Military & Veterans, military families, adolescents and adults.

My approach is collaborative and grounded in evidence-based practices such as CBT, DBT and a person centered approach. We will focus on building a strong therapeutic relationship where you feel safe, connected, and free to show up as your authentic self while creating space for reflection, healing, and growth.

I aim to champion holistic mental health and walk alongside individuals as they navigate their journey toward self-understanding and fulfillment. What drives my work is witnessing the transformation that happens when clients move from moments of vulnerability to a place of confidence, clarity, and empowerment. 

Traci Phipps is a Licensed Professional Counselor-Supervisor (LPC-S) in the state of Texas with 19 years of experience treating children, adolescents, adults, and seniors who are struggling with depression, anxiety, trauma, depression, family conflict, difficult life transitions, dysfunctional relationships, sexual abuse, and much more.

Traci earned her Bachelor's degree in Psychology from Tulane University and her Master's degree in Clinical Psychology from Midwestern State University. Traci seeks to align with every client using a person-centered approach to identify the changes the client wishes to make in their own lives and the barriers or obstacles preventing those changes. Traci helps clients by crafting small, attainable steps that can be taken to move towards those desired changes.

She believes in meeting each client where they are in terms of skills and interpersonal relationship style while remaining person-centered, strengths-based, and continually focused on progress. Traci wants to establish an open, honest and supportive relationship with you while helping you maintain direct communication and encouraging assertiveness in your relationships with others.

I am a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW) with 11 years of experience providing individual, couples, family, and group therapy across diverse clinical settings. I support clients working through depression, anxiety, trauma, behavioral concerns, self-esteem challenges, grief, loss, and major life transitions. My approach is grounded in compassion and a client-centered focus, and I strive to ensure every person feels safe, seen, supported, and empowered to create meaningful change.

I earned my master’s degree in social work from Eastern Michigan University. I draw from cognitive behavioral therapy, strengths-based work, mindfulness-based strategies, motivational approaches, and emotion-focused techniques. I tailor treatment to each client’s goals while supporting emotional awareness, resilience, and long-term growth.

I remind clients that therapy requires honesty, patience, and openness, and that healing is a powerful process of rediscovery. My goal is to help you navigate life’s challenges with clarity and confidence while offering steady support along the way. Growth takes movement, and I would be honored to help you move toward where you want to be.

Alexia Antoine is a Licensed Professional CounseIor with 10 years of experience. Alexia empowers clients by asking questions, guiding them in goal-defining, and helping them through the problem loop to a solution. Alexia treats anxiety, ADHD, bipolar, borderline personality disorder, career issues, depression, divorce, infidelity, trauma, multicultural issues, racial identity, stress-related issues, and women’s issues. Being trained in EMDR, she shows you your brain's ability to heal from trauma. Her training coupled with her mental health history and being the daughter of an immigrant allows her to help you navigate your concerns.

Alexia completed her Master of Arts in Counseling at Dallas Baptist University. Alexia uses cognitive behavioral therapy, rational emotive behavior therapy, solution-focused therapy, positive psychology, EMDR, faith-based therapy, Christian counseling, cognitive reprocessing, emotionally-focused therapy, mindfulness-based therapy, and multicultural therapy.

Whether it be adjusting to the current life stage, learning self-love/soul care, or handling career demands, your process looks different from the next person. Together, you and Alexia will develop some actionable steps to help you gauge where you are in your wants and get you to where you want to be. Schedule your appointment to begin.

Christian Hudson-Wallis is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in the state of Texas with over 5 years of professional experience assisting clients of all ages to cope with the effects of anxiety, depression, anger, bipolar disorder, trauma, and PTSD. Christian is skilled in using cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), humanistic techniques, Rogerian methods, existential therapy, dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT), the Gottman Method, and acceptance and commitment (ACT) approaches.

Christian earned her Master's degree in Family Psychology from Hardin-Simmons University.  One of the main areas she usually touches on with clients is trauma, and how any trauma or negative life events may be holding them back from where they hope to be. Christian's main concern is making sure clients feel respected, safe, listened to, and trusting so they feel comfortable in opening up about what they are going through. She recognizes what a personal and scary process therapy can be.

Empathetic listening and compassion help Christian to delve into a client's world and be in the moment with them. Christian is there to remind you that whatever you are struggling with, you are not alone. No matter how frightening or embarrassing it may be to open up to a new person about personal things, she hopes to help you gain the skills and peace of mind you need to get through difficult times.

Cherese Kelley is a Licensed Professional Counselor with 2 years of experience. She specializes in supporting individuals ages 6 through 45 who are experiencing behavioral issues, mental stress, ADHD, adoption, depression, anxiety, domestic abuse, complex trauma, narcissism, and women’s issues. Cherese’s ideal client is open and ready to journey through healing and shows up even on the hard days!

Cherese holds a Master of Arts in Christian Counseling from Houston Baptism University and a Bachelor of Science from Florida A&M University. She uses Christ-centered therapy, attachment theory, Christian counseling, eye movement desensitization and reprocessing, theraplay techniques, and trust-based relational intervention.

If you are looking for a chance to experience real healing through a partnership that will change your feelings of being stuck, anxious, confused, embarrassed, insecure, or lost, Cherese is waiting for you! Reach out to schedule your first appointment today.

*Appointments for children 10 and under will need to be scheduled for in-person only