Distinctive Counseling and Consulting, PLLC

08/31/2025

💞❤️‍🩹

08/25/2025

🧩🎲 Distinctive Play Workshop Wednesday
Neurodiversity-Affirming Play Therapy: Introducing AutPlay® Therapeutic Principles
Wednesday, Aug 27 • 12–2 pm CT • $55

Seats are selling fast for this in-person workshop at 4646 Corona Drive, Suite 216! Join Paula Lyssy, LPC-S, LSSP, RPT™, Certified AutPlay® Therapy Provider for an interactive, play-based session that centers neurodivergent children and their families. You’ll learn practical AutPlay® strategies for school and clinical settings, deepen cultural responsiveness with autistic and other neurodivergent clients, and explore how play therapy aligns with IDEA services.

CEs: 1.5 Contact or Non-Contact CEs (Skills & Methods/Neuro-Diversity) + 0.5 Consultation/Supervision
APT Approved Provider: Julie Thigpen #24-744 • Texas Licensed Professional Counselor

Come play, learn, and grow with us. ✨
👉 Register now: https://www.distinctivecounseling.com/distinctive-learning-continuing-education-classes/p/distinctive-play-workshop-wednesday

Use EARLYBIRD code at checkout. Expires 8/21 at midnight. This interactive session introduces AutPlay® Therapy, a play-based, neuroaffirming approach for supporting neurodivergent children and their families. Learn practical techniques for school and clinical settings, enhance cultural comp

08/21/2025

🌟 Distinctive Counselor Spotlight: Angelina M. Ortiz, MS, LPC-Associate 🌟

Meet Angelina M. Ortiz, one of our incredibly thoughtful and client-centered counselors here at Distinctive Counseling & Consulting! Angelina is a Licensed Professional Counselor Associate with a deep commitment to supporting individuals on their journey toward healing and growth. She is supervised by award-winning Miss Julie M. Thigpen, MA, LPC-S, RPT-S, EMDR Trained.

A proud graduate of Texas A&M University–Kingsville with a Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Sciences (2013), Angelina went on to earn her Master of Science in Counseling from Texas A&M University–Corpus Christi in 2021. Her background is both academically strong and heart-centered, making her a truly well-rounded clinician.

Angelina’s counseling philosophy is rooted in a client-centered approach, where she honors each person’s lived experience and innate wisdom. She integrates Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Person-Centered Therapy, and Solution-Focused Therapy into her work, meeting clients where they are and tailoring care to fit their individual needs. 🌱

With experience supporting adolescents, adults, and now training in play therapy with children, Angelina is especially skilled in working with anxiety, depression, suicidal ideation, and life transitions. She brings warmth, education, and empowerment into the counseling space, fostering a supportive environment where clients feel safe to grow and explore.

Her hope? That each client leaves feeling truly heard, deeply supported, and confident in their ability to meet life’s challenges with strength and purpose.

✨ We're so lucky to have Angelina on our team, and even luckier to watch her shine in her work with clients and families!

08/19/2025

We still have some spots available!

🌱 Upcoming Distinctive Learning Workshop 🌱

Play Therapy and Attachment Trauma: Relational Healing for Relational Wounds presented by Dr. Amber-Lea Martinez, PhD

🗓️ August 22nd 9am to 3pm | In-person with lunch provided!
🎓 5 APT CE Hours (Theories/Skills & Methods/ Attachment)
Julie Thigpen APT Approved Provider #24-744
💰 $150 Early Bird Price expires 8/9 (Reg. $180)

Join Dr. Amber-Lea Martinez, PhD, for a powerful exploration of the healing power of child-centered play therapy when working with children impacted by relational trauma and attachment disruptions.

✨ Did you know?
Over 4% of U.S. children live without either parent, and nearly 400,000 are in foster care. These children often navigate deep emotional wounds, inconsistent caregiving, and complex trauma. Play therapy, grounded in safety and connection, offers a pathway toward healing.

This workshop will:
🔹 Dive into the impact of disrupted attachment on development
🔹 Explore the therapeutic power of relationship-based play
🔹 Equip clinicians with trauma-informed, attachment-sensitive interventions

📍 Held at Distinctive Counseling & Consulting 4646 Corona Drive, Suite 216
🎟️ Space is limited — register now and be a part of this transformative learning opportunity.
👉 Sign up here: https://www.distinctivecounseling.com/distinctive-learning-continuing-education-classes/trauma-informed-counseling

08/15/2025

🎉✨ Big Congratulations to Our 2024-2025 Distinctive Student Counselor, Jessica Blakeslee, MS, EMDR Trained! ✨🎉

We are so proud to celebrate Jessica’s incredible achievement, she has officially completed her Master’s Degree in Professional Counseling with an emphasis in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Texas A&M University–Corpus Christi! 🎓💙

The icing on the cake? 🍰 Jessica is already EMDR Trained through CompassionWorks as part of our Heart Galleries Grant! This Fall, she’ll step into her role as an LPC Associate, under the supervision of Julie Thigpen, MA, LPC-S, RPT-S and Dr. Jinnelle V. Powell, PhD, LPC-S, where she will continue to sharpen her EMDR skills and pursue her Registered Play Therapy certificate, and begin her PhD program at Texas A&M University–Corpus Christi to further expand her knowledge and expertise.🤓

Jessica’s passion shines through in everything she does. With a heart for vulnerable children and youth in the Coastal Bend, she is dedicated to creating spaces where people can be their most authentic selves, free of shame and judgment. Her background in child welfare fuels her advocacy and her commitment to making a difference in our community.

When she’s not in session, you can find Jessica at her local CrossFit gym, baking sourdough bread, spending time outdoors, enjoying a good book, or hanging out with her beloved dogs. 🐾🍞☀️

Join us in celebrating this next exciting chapter for Jessica! 🥳💛

📣 Shoutout to Distinctive Collective, Inc. for supporting free supervision and free counseling services at our Corpus Christi location!

08/14/2025

🌟 Distinctive Counselor Spotlight: Heather Garcia, LPC, EMDR Trained Clinician 🌟

If you’re looking for a counselor who brings clinical excellence and a healthy dose of sass, style, and humor, look no further than Heather Garcia!

Heather is one of our tenured counselors at Distinctive Counseling & Consulting, and she’s currently accepting new clients. With a compassionate heart and a confident voice, Heather supports individuals, couples, and families in navigating life’s challenges with strength and clarity.

✨ Credentials & Approach
Heather is an EMDR-trained clinician through CompassionWorks, a proud Texas A&M University–Corpus Christi alum (twice over!), and is dually licensed as a Licensed Professional Counselor and Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor Intern. Her academic background also includes an Associate of Applied Science in Human Services with a focus on Addiction Studies from Del Mar College.

Heather’s clinical style is bold and deeply human-centered. While her foundation lies in Rational Emotive Behavioral Therapy (REBT), she believes in meeting clients exactly where they are. She blends techniques from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Narrative Therapy, and Humanistic Therapy, tailoring each session to the unique needs of her clients. With couples and families, she draws from Family Systems, Structural, Strategic, and Transgenerational Therapy, and she holds a Gottman Level I certification.

🧠💬 Whether you're exploring trauma, communication issues, relationship stress, or personal growth, Heather brings skill, authenticity, and a great sense of humor into the room. Clients appreciate her real-talk approach, cultural humility, and fierce advocacy for healing and growth.

💥 Did we mention she’s got impeccable fashion sense and a laugh that fills the whole office? Heather makes therapy both transformative and real.

📞 Now accepting new clients! If you’re ready for growth with a therapist who keeps it real, reach out today to schedule with Heather Garcia.

08/11/2025

🧩🎲 Distinctive Play Workshop Wednesday

Neurodiversity-Affirming Play Therapy: Introducing AutPlay® Therapeutic Principles
Aug 27, 12 pm–2 pm CT • $55
This is an in-person workshop at 4646 Corona Drive, Suite 216 at our Corpus Christi location!

Join us for an interactive session with Paula Lyssy, LPC-S, LSSP, RPT™, Certified AutPlay® Therapy Provider. Learn practical AutPlay® techniques for school and clinical settings, deepen cultural responsiveness with autistic and other neurodivergent clients, and see how play therapy aligns with IDEA services. Ideal for counselors, social workers, family therapists, and play therapists who want creative, developmentally appropriate interventions.

CEs: 1.5 Contact or Non-Contact CEs (Skills and Methods/Neuro-Diversity) + 0.5 Consultation/Supervision
Early Bird Special: Use code EARLYBIRD at checkout to save $10. Expires Aug 21 at 11:59 pm CT.
APT Approved Provider: Julie Thigpen, APT Approved Provider #24-744 • Texas Licensed Professional Counselor

Seats are selling fast! Register now and come play, learn, and grow with us. ✨
👉 Register: https://www.distinctivecounseling.com/distinctive-learning-continuing-education-classes/p/distinctive-play-workshop-wednesday

08/07/2025

✨ Distinctive Counselor Spotlight: Brittany Culp, MS, LPC-Associate ✨

Meet Brittany Culp, an inspiring and dedicated LPC Associate working under the supervision of V. Fawn Colburn, MS, LPC-S, Certified Sandtray Therapist, and Dr. Jinnelle V. Powell, PhD, LPC-S. Brittany is a graduate of Texas A&M University - Kingsville, where she earned a double major in Psychology and Sociology, along with a Master’s of Science in Counseling Psychology.

Brittany joined our Distinctive team in April 2023 and we are proud to have spent the last two years walking alongside her on her counseling journey.

Brittany's experience spans working with diverse populations, including adolescents, adults, couples, LGBTQ individuals, and those with disabilities, particularly clients dealing with blindness and vision loss. She has helped clients navigate challenges such as depression, anxiety, stress management, marital issues, and self-esteem.

What makes Brittany's journey even more extraordinary is that she has been living with Retinitis Pigmentosa, a condition that causes gradual blindness. Despite this, she has never allowed her vision loss to define her or limit her aspirations. Brittany’s personal story serves as a beacon of resilience, encouraging others to rise above their circumstances and thrive.

In addition to her counseling work, Brittany wears many hats as a motivational speaker, licensed massage therapist, personal trainer, and health coach. She believes wholeheartedly that mental health and physical wellness go hand-in-hand and work together to promote overall well-being. Brittany’s Seeing Eye dog, Pixie, is by her side, offering support and encouragement to her clients every step of the way.

Brittany’s dedication and drive have earned her recognition as the 3rd Place Winner in the 2024 The Bend Locals List, a testament to her impact in the community and beyond.

We are incredibly proud to have Brittany as part of the team at Distinctive Counseling & Consulting, where she continues to inspire and empower others. 🌟

Learn more about Brittany here: https://www.distinctivecounseling.com/brittany-culp

07/31/2025

🌟 Distinctive Counselor Spotlight: Victoria Cadena, MA, LPC-Associate, EMDR Trained 🌟

We are excited to highlight Victoria Cadena, a compassionate counselor dedicated to supporting individuals and children on their journey toward growth and emotional well-being.

Victoria is a Licensed Professional Counselor Associate in Texas, supervised by Dr. Jinnelle V. Powell, PhD, LPC-S, and Julie Thigpen, MA, LPC-S, RPT-S. She receives specialized play therapy supervision from Ms. Julie, an award-winning Registered Play Therapist-Supervisor. Victoria is EMDR Trained through CompassionWorks, working toward EMDR certification under Dr. Powell’s guidance.

With a Bachelor’s in Psychology and Master’s in Counseling Psychology from Texas A&M University-Kingsville, Victoria brings experience in supporting children with learning differences, fostering coping skills, resilience, and emotional expression through the power of play therapy.

Victoria believes in creating a safe, welcoming space where every individual can process, heal, and thrive at their own pace. 💛

07/30/2025

✨ Today our team had the honor of presenting "Unlocking Healing Through Play: The Importance of Play in Child Development" at the Casting Hope Symposium sponsored by the Education Service Center, Region 2!

We explored how play therapy empowers children to express emotions, build coping skills, and navigate life’s challenges in a safe, supportive space. 🧸💛 By using play as a therapeutic tool, we can foster resilience, emotional growth, and deeper connections with the children we serve.

A huge thank you to everyone who joined us for this important conversation! 💬 Your passion for supporting children’s mental health and well-being inspires us.

👩‍🏫 Presented by:
🔹 Julie Thigpen, LPC-S, Registered Play Therapist-S, Distinctive Counseling & Consulting, PLLC
🔹 Dr. Jinnelle Powell, CEO/Founder, LPC-S, Clinician, Distinctive Counseling & Consulting, PLLC

07/30/2025

🎉 Milestone Moment at Distinctive Counseling & Consulting, PLLC! 🎉

We are proud to share that 100% of our fully licensed counselors are now EMDR Trained through EMDRIA-Approved Trainings, and 4 of them have achieved EMDRIA-Approved Certification! 🙌 In addition, 4 of our Associate-level counselors are EMDR Trained, expanding access to this powerful trauma-informed approach across our team.

This accomplishment was made possible through:
✨ Dr. Powell’s ongoing investment in the growth of our clinicians
✨ The Nikki Claudette EMDR Scholarship funded by the Distinctive Collective, Inc.
✨ Grant funding from the Heart Galleries of Texas
✨ The amazing CompassionWorks team of EMDRIA-Approved Trainers who we have entrusted to guide us in the ethical use of EMDR

These investments in our team allow us to continue serving as a premier location for trauma care across all ages, equipping our counselors with the expertise to guide healing and hope for every client we serve from age 3 to 100! 💙

07/25/2025

💛 Burnout Bootcamp Recap 💛
Today was exactly what our minds, bodies, and hearts needed.

Led by the incredible Vanessa Fawn Colburn, MS, LPC-S, Certified Sandtray Therapist, our sold-out Burnout Bootcamp was a restorative day full of reflection, laughter, creativity, and connection.

✨ Counselors gathered together to:
🌿 Practice self-compassion
🔥 Learn about completing the stress cycle
🎨 Explore their play personalities
💬 Share stories of struggle and resilience
📓 And walk away with a powerful, soul-soothing manual to carry forward

This was more than a training—it was a space for healing, reconnection, and renewal. Thank you to everyone who showed up fully and bravely. You are not alone in this work. 💛

Stay tuned for more opportunities to learn, grow, and restore with us at Distinctive Learning: https://www.distinctivecounseling.com/distinctive-learning-continuing-education-classes