Distinctive Counseling and Consulting, PLLC

04/01/2026

♥️🙌🏼

Distinctive Counseling and Consulting, PLLC is now an NBCC Approved Continuing Education Provider (ACEP #7975). Check out their CE course offerings at https://www.distinctivecounseling.com/

04/01/2026

✨ HERstory in the Making | Women’s History Month ✨

Today we are celebrating Mirakal McGill, MS, LPC, EMDR Certified, whose journey into counseling reflects faith, resilience, and a deep commitment to walking alongside others in their healing.

Mirakal shares that her passion for counseling is rooted in her calling. She feels led to support others through their healing journeys, offering compassion, encouragement, and truth as they grow emotionally and spiritually.

Her journey into this work has not been without challenges. There were moments when she questioned whether she belonged in the field, yet through faith and perseverance, she continued forward. Those experiences strengthened her passion and deepened her commitment to helping others recognize their own strength. Her path reflects the very resilience she now helps cultivate in her clients.

Through her work, Mirakal hopes to create a safe and empowering space where individuals can heal, grow, and build confidence in themselves. She is also passionate about reducing the stigma surrounding mental health and encouraging others to seek support. Her goal is to help clients see their strength and feel empowered in their journey.

This profession has also shaped Mirakal’s understanding of herself. She has learned how deeply her faith and resilience influence who she is, both personally and professionally. She recognizes that growth is ongoing for both counselor and client, and that facing her own doubts has strengthened her patience, empathy, and ability to support others.

Her encouragement to women pursuing this path is both honest and empowering:
💜 It is okay to have moments of doubt. Those moments do not disqualify you. Let your challenges strengthen you, not stop you. Keep growing, keep showing up, and trust that your presence in this field matters.

For Mirakal, being part of the Distinctive team means walking in her purpose alongside others who feel called to do the same. It is a space where compassion and professionalism meet, and where she is supported in continuing to help others heal, grow, and feel empowered.

💜 Thank you, Mirakal, for the faith, strength, and heart you bring to this work.

03/31/2026

✨ HERstory in the Making | Women’s History Month ✨

Today we are celebrating Jessica Blakeslee, MS, LPC-Associate, EMDR Trained, whose journey into counseling reflects intentional growth, deep compassion, and a commitment to serving children and families impacted by trauma.

Jessica’s path began through years of volunteering and professional experience in the child welfare system, where she developed a passion for supporting vulnerable children and families. Those experiences led her to pursue a career in mental health, with the goal of helping bridge the gap so that individuals and families can access the healing and support they deserve.

Her journey has been marked by meaningful experiences and continued growth. From working closely with foster and adoptive families, to training at the Child Advocacy Center of the Coastal Bend, to becoming EMDR trained through Distinctive, Jessica has been intentional in developing the skills needed to support individuals and families navigating complex trauma.

Jessica reflects on her journey with deep purpose, sharing that she believes her path was guided long before she stepped into it. She describes it as an honor to witness the healing that unfolds in the lives of those she serves. Her commitment to growth continues as she pursues her doctoral degree at Texas A&M University–Corpus Christi, working toward becoming a Counselor Educator and investing in the future of the profession.

Through her work, Jessica hopes to continue serving families in the Coastal Bend while also extending her impact to future generations of counselors. She is passionate about creating meaningful, lasting change that reaches beyond the present moment.

This profession has also shaped Jessica’s understanding of herself. She has learned the importance of prioritizing her own wellness and continually refining her self-care practices. She holds closely the reminder that self-care is about giving the world the best of who you are. She brings this into her daily life through connection with her church community, time spent baking, reading, and creating space for joy.

Her encouragement to women pursuing this path is both reflective and empowering:
💜 You are allowed to celebrate your journey. This work will change you, and even in the challenges, there is joy. Find those moments and honor them.

For Jessica, being part of the Distinctive team has been a meaningful part of her journey from the very beginning. From practicum and internship to her current role, she describes Distinctive as a place of growth, opportunity, support, and celebration. It is a community she feels honored to be part of.

💜 Thank you, Jessica, for the heart, intention, and dedication you bring to this work and to the families you serve.

03/31/2026

✨ HERstory in the Making | Women’s History Month ✨

Today we are celebrating Brittany Culp, MS, LPC-Associate, whose journey into counseling reflects resilience, growth, and a powerful commitment to helping others step into their most authentic selves.

Brittany shares that her inspiration to pursue counseling began in her late teens through a meaningful relationship with a mentor who was a career counselor. During a time when she was navigating vision loss, this mentor, who was also blind, saw strengths in Brittany that she had not yet recognized in herself. That experience left a lasting impact and helped shape her path into the counseling profession.

Her journey has been marked by hard work, persistence, and a willingness to grow across multiple areas of wellness. After earning her Master of Science in Counseling Psychology from Texas A&M University–Kingsville in 2018, Brittany explored roles as a life coach and personal trainer, integrating mind and body wellness into her work. She later became a licensed massage therapist, further deepening her holistic approach to care. Since joining Distinctive, she has continued to expand her impact, including cofounding the virtual women’s therapy group Take CHARGE, alongside one of her supervisors. She was also recognized as a finalist in the 2024 Bend Magazine Locals List for mental health counselors, a reflection of the meaningful work she brings to her community.

Through her work, Brittany is passionate about creating a supportive and welcoming space where clients can explore who they are and step into the most authentic version of themselves. She approaches healing through a mind, body, and spirit lens, empowering clients to take charge of their own well-being and personal growth.

This profession has also shaped Brittany’s understanding of herself. One of the most meaningful lessons she carries is that progress is not linear. That truth has guided her both personally and professionally, allowing her to approach growth with patience and compassion.

Her encouragement to women pursuing this path is both gentle and grounding:

💜 Give yourself grace, patience, and understanding. Lean into your support system, and if you do not have one yet, know that you can build one. You do not have to do this alone.

For Brittany, being part of the Distinctive team means belonging to a truly special community. She values the diversity, encouragement, and connection within the team, where even on challenging days, there is always someone ready to offer support, laughter, or a reminder that you are not alone.

💜 Thank you, Brittany, for the strength, warmth, and holistic care you bring to this work.

03/31/2026

✨ HERstory in the Making | Women’s History Month ✨

Today we are celebrating Salma Perez, MS, LPC-Associate, whose journey into counseling reflects courage, faith, resilience, and a deep commitment to bridging healing within both mental health and spiritual spaces.

Salma shares that her path into counseling began through her work with children at a Christian summer camp. In that space, she found herself becoming a voice for those who often felt unheard and an advocate for mental health within the church. Witnessing how frequently mental health was stigmatized or dismissed, along with her own personal experiences, ignited a passion within her to help shift that narrative and create space where both faith and mental health care can coexist.

Her journey has been both emotional and deeply meaningful. She began studying psychology to understand the science behind thoughts and emotions, then transitioned into counseling to better understand each person’s unique story and how to support them through life’s challenges. Along the way, Salma received an EMDR scholarship through Distinctive, while also navigating the complexities of balancing care for others with care for herself. Choosing to take a year to focus on self-care, grounding, and investing in her family became a powerful turning point. Through that time, she reconnected with her purpose and returned to the field with renewed clarity and strength, stepping back into her role at Distinctive with intention and support.

Through her work, Salma hopes to continue destigmatizing mental health, especially within the church. As a practicing Christian, she believes deeply in both prayer and professional mental health care. Her goal is to create a space where clients feel safe, worthy, and supported in caring for their emotional and mental well-being just as they would their physical and spiritual health.

This profession has also shaped Salma’s understanding of herself. She has discovered her resilience and embraced the truth that healing is not linear and does not follow a timeline. She has learned the importance of consistency in self-care, honoring her limits, and continuing to show up for both herself and her clients with strength and compassion.

Her encouragement to women pursuing this path is heartfelt and honest:
💜 Practice what you teach. Prioritize your self-care, learn your boundaries, and give yourself permission to grow. Stay connected to your purpose, stay compassionate toward your clients, and just as importantly, stay compassionate toward yourself.

For Salma, being part of the Distinctive team means being part of a family. It is a space where she feels supported, encouraged, and valued. From her internship to her return as an LPC-Associate, she has experienced a community that offers guidance, patience, and genuine care, allowing her to grow both personally and professionally.

💜 Thank you, Salma, for the heart, faith, and authenticity you bring to this work.

03/31/2026

✨ HERstory in the Making | Women’s History Month ✨

Today we are celebrating Holly Herrera Humphrey, MS, LPC, EMDR Trained, whose journey into counseling reflects purpose, growth, and a deep commitment to supporting children, families, and communities.

Holly shares that her path into counseling was shaped by both personal and professional experiences. While working in child welfare, she was encouraged by colleagues who were pursuing counseling degrees. Those experiences opened her eyes to the depth of children’s stressors and struggles in ways she had not fully understood before. At the same time, her son inspired her to become a teacher so their schedules would align, which she pursued while continuing her journey toward counseling.

Her professional journey began in education, where she taught at the high school and middle school levels before becoming an elementary school counselor. It was in that role that her passion became even more clear. Holly saw firsthand how early intervention and support can positively shape a child’s life trajectory. Her time at Windsor Park, an all gifted and talented campus, expanded her experience working with neurodivergent students and deepened her understanding of the unique needs children carry. It was also during this time that she was introduced to play therapy, opening the door to a new and meaningful direction in her work.

Through her work, Holly hopes to make a difference not only in the lives of children and adults, but also within their support systems. She is passionate about helping others look beyond surface level behaviors and better understand the deeper experiences that shape who a person is and how they relate to the world.

This profession has also been transformational for Holly personally. She reflects that it has helped her understand her own story while empowering her to continue growing and healing. She has learned that her past does not define her future, and that she can create space for both her own healing and the healing of others through empathy and connection.

Her encouragement for women pursuing this path is both grounding and empowering:
💜 It does not matter where you started, only that you start. Your experiences matter, and they can become a powerful part of how you support others. In this field, we do not just help our clients, we help one another grow and heal as well.

For Holly, being part of the Distinctive team means working within a community that encourages growth, authenticity, and continued learning. She values being part of a team that supports one another while striving to provide meaningful care to those they serve, and she feels a deep sense of purpose in the path she has been called to walk.

💜 Thank you, Holly, for the strength, insight, and heart you bring to this work.

03/30/2026

✨ HERstory in the Making | Women’s History Month ✨

Today, we are celebrating Merideth K. Owens, MS, LPC, RPT, EMDRIA-Certified Therapist, whose work reflects a deep commitment to healing, connection, and the transformative power of relationships.

Merideth shares that her interest in human behavior and psychology began in her teenage years, but it was during college, in a class on trauma and resilience, that her path became clear. In that moment, she realized she did not just want to learn about healing, she wanted to be a part of it.

Her journey has been shaped by meaningful turning points that deepened her passion for this work. Discovering the power of play therapy in supporting children and family systems transformed the way she approached healing. Learning EMDR further expanded her ability to support clients experiencing post traumatic stress. Some of her most impactful experiences have been witnessing parents and children repair and strengthen their relationships through play, as well as seeing EMDR clients build internal resources and step into a greater sense of empowerment in their lives.

Through her work, Merideth hopes to help cultivate healthy, connected family systems. She believes that families are the foundation of every community, and when families feel safe, connected, and able to experience joy and play together, the impact extends far beyond the home and into the world around them.

This profession has also shaped how Merideth sees herself. She has come to recognize that qualities once labeled “too sensitive,” “bossy,” or “soft” are, in fact, among her greatest strengths. Showing up as a steady, nurturing, and accepting presence for her clients has affirmed that authenticity and compassion are powerful tools for change.

Her encouragement to women pursuing this path is both grounding and empowering:

💜 This work can be challenging, but difficulty does not mean you are not enough. Continue to show up with courage, curiosity, and kindness, and trust that you are on a path toward meaningful impact and fulfillment.

For Merideth, being part of the Distinctive team means showing up each day feeling confident in her work, supported by a community of skilled and compassionate clinicians, and grounded in her identity as a helper first and foremost.

💜 Thank you, Merideth, for the care, insight, and connection you bring to every family you serve.

03/30/2026

✨ HERstory in the Making | Women’s History Month ✨

Today, we are honored to celebrate Elizabeth Barrientes, MS, LPC-S, RPT, EMDR Trained, Sandtray Certified, whose work reflects a deep calling to children, families, and the healing power of connection through play.

From the very beginning of her career, Elizabeth felt drawn to working with young children and their families. Over the past 25 years, that calling has grown into a meaningful and impactful journey supporting children’s mental health and social-emotional development. Her work has included years with Head Start, where she collaborated closely with parents, teachers, and counseling interns, helping shape the next generation of professionals while caring for families in her community.

While completing her graduate studies at Texas A&M University–Kingsville, Elizabeth’s passion for working with children deepened and led her to pursue specialized training through the Association for Play Therapy. She also served with distinction as President of the Coastal Bend Chapter of the Texas Association for Play Therapy, contributing to the growth and advancement of play therapy in the region.

What truly sets Elizabeth apart is her heart. Beyond her credentials and experience, she brings a warmth and genuineness into every space she enters. Children and families quickly sense her authenticity, and it is within that safety and trust that meaningful healing begins.

Her professional journey reflects a deep commitment to growth and continued learning. Elizabeth has expanded her expertise through advanced training in Sandtray therapy, EMDR, Playful EMDR, and AutPlay. She also holds specialized competencies in working with children and caregivers in adoption and foster care. As she continues to grow, Elizabeth is pursuing her Registered Play Therapist-Supervisor credential, with a desire to mentor others and contribute to the development of future clinicians.

Elizabeth integrates approaches such as Conscious Discipline into her work, equipping families with practical tools to support emotional regulation and connection. Her approach remains deeply client-centered, grounded in empathy, patience, cultural responsiveness, and a strong belief in the therapeutic relationship. She meets each person where they are and helps them recognize the strengths they already carry.

As a woman of faith and a lifelong learner, Elizabeth brings intention and purpose into all that she does. Even while serving clients from East Texas, she remains deeply connected to the Distinctive team, contributing to a community that values growth, support, and meaningful care.

💜 Thank you, Elizabeth, for the warmth, wisdom, and heart you bring to every child, family, and colleague you serve.

03/30/2026

✨ HERstory in the Making | Women’s History Month ✨

Today, we are celebrating Julie Thigpen, LPC-S, RPT-S, EMDR Trained, whose work reflects a lifelong passion for children, play, and the transformative power of healing relationships.

Julie shares that her calling has always been clear: children’s play is her work and her passion. She believes deeply in the power of play as a child’s natural language for healing. Her commitment to advocating for children’s mental health has guided her journey from early volunteer work in a domestic violence shelter in Austin to decades of service supporting children and families.

With over 30 years of experience, Julie has built a strong career walking alongside children and their caregivers. Her path has included work in Head Start, Family Outreach, private practice, and now her role within the Distinctive team. As a Licensed Professional Counselor-Supervisor and Registered Play Therapist-Supervisor, she brings both depth of experience and a spirit of continual learning to everything she does.

Julie’s impact extends beyond the therapy room. In 2022, she was honored with the Nancy Guillory Award from the Texas Association for Play Therapy, recognizing her significant contributions to children and to the field of play therapy. She has served in leadership roles within the Coastal Bend Chapter of TXAPT for many years, including multiple terms as President, and founded Play Professionals of the Coastal Bend to help ensure access to quality play therapy services in our community. As a supervisor, she has mentored and supported dozens of therapists, helping them learn to enter the child’s world with trust, curiosity, and skill.

Through this work, Julie has come to deeply understand that her gift with children is not accidental. She knows it is something she was meant to use in service of others. While the work can be demanding, she finds it incredibly meaningful to witness children grow, heal, and become more fully themselves. She holds firmly to the belief that healing happens in relationship and that growth requires trust both in the client and in yourself.

Her message to women pursuing this path is both honest and encouraging:
💜 This work can be challenging, but it is deeply rewarding. Keep showing up, keep learning, and trust that the world needs therapists who are willing to lead with both skill and heart.

💜 Thank you, Julie, for the work you do.

03/30/2026

🤸🎡 we’ll see y’all there!

03/26/2026

✨ HERstory in the Making | Women’s History Month ✨

Today we are celebrating Tosin Anjorin, MS, LPC Associate, EMDR Trained, whose journey into counseling reflects purpose, passion, and a deep commitment to empowering others.

Tosin shares that she has always been “the therapist friend,” someone others naturally felt safe opening up to. Over time, she discovered there was a science behind her love for helping others, which ultimately led her to pursue counseling as a career.

Her journey began early, taking AP Psychology in 9th grade, where she found herself deeply fascinated in a way no other subject had sparked before. That passion continued to grow as she completed a clinical psychology summer program at Duke University, followed by a Human Rights Advocacy course there the next summer, reflecting the strong humanistic lens she brings to her work.

Tosin went on to earn her undergraduate degree in Human Development and Family Sciences from University of Texas at Austin, and later completed her MS in Professional Counseling at Texas A&M University–Corpus Christi. Along the way, she has published a children’s book, created accessible resources for clients, returned to her high school as a keynote speaker, and continues to pursue new projects that expand her impact.

Through her work, Tosin hopes to remind others that brighter days are possible. She brings her lived experiences into the therapy space with intention, offering clients hope and the reminder that a diagnosis does not define their future.

This journey has also shaped how Tosin sees herself. She shares that one of the most meaningful things she has learned is that she is capable of turning her dreams into reality. If she can envision it, she believes it is possible.

Her message to women pursuing this path is both empowering and deeply intentional:

💜 Your journey may include obstacles, but those obstacles are often signs of how needed you are in this field. There is someone out there who needs to see themselves in you. Keep going, not only for yourself, but for those you will inspire along the way.

For Tosin, being part of the Distinctive team means having a strong support system that continually reminds her of her value and potential. It is a space that provides encouragement, opportunity, and the motivation to grow into the counselor she is becoming.

💜 Thank you, Tosin, for the light, vision, and empowerment you bring to this work.

03/24/2026

Don't forget to sign up for tomorrow's Workshop Wednesday at Distinctive Counseling and Consulting, PLLC!!!