Beckloff Behavioral Health Center

Last but not least, Emma Butler! (Although Emma is behind our social media, Dr. Beckloff provided this bio so Emma could be featured amongst the staff). 🥳

Emma Butler is the 'hub' of this counseling center. She not only is our front office manager handling many issues, including client concerns, billing, and greeting everyone with a smile, but she also organizes, keeps the supplies coming through, and handles the schedules of all the therapists. She is simply an absolute 'phenom!' She does all of this and more, in the countless demands of a practice like this -and all with a cheerful disposition that makes coming into our office a safe, warm, and inviting environment for our clients and the folks who work here. We are deeply indebted to Emma and grateful she 'landed' here at Beckloff Behavioral Center.

Emma received her Bachelor of Arts in 2020 from Southern Methodist University. She majored in Psychology and minored in Spanish. She is originally from Chicago, IL, but currently resides in Dallas after moving from Chicago in 2020. She misses Chicago and her family that live there and visits when she can.

Emma joined Beckloff Behavioral Health Center in October 2020. Emma is working on her Master’s in Counseling at Southern Methodist University. She plans on completing her LPC licensure in late 2023- early 2024. We are excited about not only where she is at this time in her career but also about her career plans for the future.

In Emma's free time, she enjoys reading, practicing yoga, spending time with her friends and family, and loving her dog.

https://conta.cc/3By2uyq

Advice | Building empathy in children takes practice. Parents can help.

Advice | Building empathy in children takes practice. Parents can help. The greatest challenge for parents is to encourage empathy in their children for people who are different from them. These tips can help.

Next up on our staff roster is the wonderful Ashton Rone!

Ashton Rone has had a lifetime passion for helping children and adolescents. She is a graduate of Texas A&M University with a Bachelor’s degree in Communication and a minor in Sociology. Ashton then attended the University of Texas at Arlington and received her Master’s in Social Work. While in graduate school, she interned with a foster care agency and with a drug and alcohol center where she worked directly with families and facilitated parenting classes for her clients. After graduating, Ashton worked at a highly regarded pediatric hospital working with children needing inpatient and partial hospitalization program care. When the pandemic hit, Ashton became the sole social worker on the COVID unit for two years helping patients and their families cope with the stress of the illness.

Ashton’s goal is to provide a safe space for children and adolescents through play therapy. Because every child is unique, Ashton works to make sure their therapy is tailored to the individual client. Ashton also utilizes Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to help her clients.

Ashton’s areas of interest include children and adolescents experiencing anxiety, depression, trauma, parent-child relationships, and divorce.

Adding to our wonderful speech team….. introducing…. Galite Hyams, M.A., CCC/ SLP 👏🏻🥳

Galite graduated from Northern Arizona University with degrees in Spanish and Speech Communication before discovering her passion for communication disorders through love and amazement of an autistic cousin. She completed her post-baccalaureate studies at the University of Arizona and finally a Masters in Speech and Hearing Sciences from University of North Texas.

Galite has worked in a variety of pediatric and adult clinical settings over the past 20 years, including children’s hospitals, home health, day neuro facilities, and university research studies and is grateful for the opportunity to cross-integrate skills from the various settings. She is currently participating in a UTD study investigating therapeutic uses of music with post-stroke aphasia. She has been teaching yoga since 2001, inspiring specific interest in sensory integration and a whole body approach to development and rehabilitation. In her free time she enjoys practicing and teaching yoga, camping, cooking, choral singing, learning to play musical instruments, and hanging out with her pets and family.

The next episode of the Dr. Dean Show coming soon 🎥🍿🎬

The Magic of Language with special guest Jennifer Thompson, MS, CCC/ SLP 🥳

Up next… let’s meet Vanessa Olguin! 🥳

Vanessa graduated from Texas Women's University in Denton, Texas in 2014 and began her career as a high school educator. Working in education, she witnessed the many needs of children, which kindled her passion for helping children outside of the classroom. In 2019, Vanessa graduated from Dallas Theological Seminary with a master’s degree in counseling.

Vanessa completed her clinical practicum/internship at Bradfield Elementary School, OurCalling, and Promise House, where she worked with children and teens in the foster care system who experienced sexual assault, neglect, and domestic violence. She also worked with adult men and women in the homeless population and school-aged children in the educational system.

Vanessa believes in approaching therapy in a holistic manner that focuses on the parent-child relationship as well as child-school relationships. She focuses on developing a close working relationship with parents/guardians and school teachers. Vanessa practices a child-centered theoretical orientation focusing on play therapy that is trauma and attachment-informed. Her goal is to provide a safe place for children and teens to express their true feelings without judgment and help children adjust and grow to their full potential. She strives to help her clients understand their emotions and behaviors through vulnerability and a warm empathic approach.

Vanessa's areas of interest include working with children and teens of divorced parents who are experiencing anxiety, trauma, and emotional regulation; as well as working with children with ADHD and children on the Autism Spectrum. Vanessa focuses on play and art therapy which allows her to use her creativity, patience, and compassion.

Happy Halloween from our spooky bunch to yours!!!! 🧡🎃🧡🥳

Up next is our coworker who DOES IT ALL! Ladies and gentleman, Sunnie Palmer, LMSW 🥳

Sunnie was drawn to a second career in counseling after assisting families through life transitions as a family law paralegal. She believes that most of us are doing the best we can, and therapy can help people navigate big changes with humor and insight.

Sunnie is a Licensed Master Social Worker with a Master’s of Social Work from the joint program at Texas Woman’s University and University of North Texas. Sunnie has also received a Master ‘s degree in Women’s Studies from TWU.

Sunnie primarily utilizes Child-Centered Play Therapy, Synergetic Play Therapy, and Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. Sunnie also uses the geek therapy model to help clients view their special interests as strengths in therapy.

Sunnie enjoys working with preschool-age children, neurodiverse children and adults, and separated or divorced parents who struggle with co-parenting. She strives to be an LGBTQ+-affirming therapist.

WHO’S NEXT?!

Jillian Young, MS, LPC-Associate 👏🏻👏🏻🎊

Jillian Young graduated from the University of Texas, Austin in 2016 and began her career as an educator, which sparked her passion for helping children. It was this experience that eventually led her to the realm of counseling. She graduated with her Master’s of Science in Counseling from Southern Methodist University in 2020. While at SMU she completed her graduate work at The St. Anthony School in Carrollton where she worked with students of all ages with varying disabilities and behavioral issues.

Jillian believes in approaching therapy with a warm, genuine therapeutic relationship and a focus on where the client is developmentally. Both Play Therapy and Cognitive Behavioral techniques are utilized in sessions, depending on the client’s needs and goals.

Her areas of interest include children and adolescents of all ages that are experiencing anxiety, transitional changes, difficulty with emotional regulation, and depression; as well as working with those on the Autism Spectrum.

WOW! We have been nominated for the Addison Reader's Choice Awards - and we need your help!
Below is a link to vote, and we ask for your help in voting for your favorite mental health facility! Simply scroll down to Favorite Mental health, and click on Beckloff Behavioral Health Center. Then scroll down and submit your vote! We are honored to be recognized as a finalist, and perhaps we'll be 'over the top' as a winner of this award too! With your help!

You can vote once a day! Go BBHC! 👏🏻🎊

https://addisonmagazine.com/readers-choice-awards-vote/

Next up… from our wonderful speech department, Kailey Mersbach! 🎉

Kailey Mersbach is a licensed Speech-Language Pathologist in the state of Texas. Kailey received her bachelor’s degree from The University of Oklahoma and graduated with her master’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology from The University of Texas at Dallas. She has experience working with children with Expressive and Receptive language delays/disorders, Autism, Articulation delay/disorders, Apraxia, and sensory based feeding disorders. She has worked as a Speech-Language Pathologist within the Dallas metroplex at various private clinics and school districts.

Kailey pursued a career in speech-language pathology to make a greater impact on the lives of children with disabilities and their families. She believes that therapy should be fun, engaging, and individualized to each client to make a positive change in their communicative abilities. Kailey’s special areas of interest include early intervention and speech sound disorders.

In her free time, Kailey enjoys traveling, spending time with family and friends, relaxing at the lake, and working out. She is eager to start therapy with your family to help your child reach their full potential!

Who is excited to meet our next excellent coworker?! Introducing… Patty Gobin, MEd, LPC!! 🎉

Patty earned her Bachelor’s degree in Education from Baylor University and later her Master’s degree from the University of North Texas in Counseling and Student Services in 1993. She has worked both as a teacher and a counselor in public and private school settings in the North Dallas area. As a Licensed Professional Counselor, Patty enjoys helping children and families work together through challenges faced at school and home. Through her many years as a professional as well as through her own experiences, she feels many obstacles can eventually be looked upon as a catalyst for growth especially in the areas of resiliency and confidence.

With over three decades of experience, Patty has a true understanding of the needs of children in the school setting. She likes to use practical ways to involve the child in being an active participant in therapy and works closely with the parents to tailor a plan that best fits their family. Patty uses both Play Therapy and Cognitive Behavioral techniques and if requested will include a faith based approach in working with children and families.

Patty’s special areas of interest include anxiety, ADHD, depression, divorce, grief and loss as well as the unique challenges children with special needs face along with their siblings.

Up next… introducing….. Dr. Morgan Sowell!

Dr. Morgan Sowell is a Licensed Psychologist and Licensed Specialist in School Psychology. She obtained her Ph.D. from Texas A&M University in School Psychology, masters from UT Southwestern Medical School at Dallas in Rehabilitation Counseling Psychology, and bachelors from Texas Tech University in Psychology. She has trained and worked in a variety of locations including MD Anderson Cancer Hospital in Houston, Tx, Center for Child Protection in Austin, TX, and worked in four major school districts in Texas. Across settings she has worked with children, teens, adults, and parents with a wide variety of presenting concerns. Dr. Sowell has worked to train other mental health professionals through supervision and as a university professor. She has nearly 20 years of clinical experience with 10 years in the public school setting. She has extensive training in evaluation and diagnosis, crisis intervention, impacts of single event or chronic trauma, and coordination of care.

Dr. Sowell specializes in children, teens, and adults with histories of trauma, abuse, and adjustment to life transitions. She is well versed in the diagnosis and treatment of emotional behavioral concerns including depression, anxiety, autism, ADHD, and executive functioning deficits.

Dr. Sowell believes in creating an environment that supports your goals, and when working with children that they are an active participate in creating treatment plans. She believes in collaboration with others in the individuals life to help support change and growth. She utilizes a client-centered therapeutic approach that is culturally sensitive. She has extensive training in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Solution Focused Therapy. Dr. Sowell is EMDR trained and working towards certification.

The Dr. Dean Show - Reimagining Parenting Part II

https://conta.cc/3Uxa5Fc

The Dr. Dean Show - Reimagining Parenting Part II We do everything we can to help get a kid back on track, whether that is in the family, social or school arena. Let us get to work. The Dr. Dean Show - Part II! From Dr. Beckloff: So... we are explori

Introducing…. Our wonderful….. Robin Fishman!

Robin Fishman, M.S., LPC-S, NCC earned her Master’s degree in Mental Health Counseling from Nova Southeastern University in 1994. She has 26 years of experience in public school education, with certificates as a Special Education Teacher PK-12, School Counselor PK-12 & Special Education School Counselor PK-12. Robin currently serves on the board of the Lone Star State School Counseling Association as Ethics Chair. She provides staff development training in ethics to school counselors in Texas. In 2021, she collaborated with school counselors from across the nation for the revision/update of the ASCA Ethical Standards for School Counselors released in July of 2022.

As a Licensed Professional Counselor, Robin enjoys listening to the diverse struggles young people face and helping them problem-solve to overcome obstacles. Robin is all about empowerment and truly helping people figure out how to thrive in their life. She loves to encourage others to identify and build on their unique strengths, achieve their goals, and find hope in difficult times. In private practice, Robin has worked with school-aged students and their families to promote and foster success academically, emotionally & socially. In addition, Robin supervises LPC Associates, who are obtaining their LPC license, to serve in our profession.

Robin struggled with basic early literacy skills from a very young age & later identified with dyslexia and ADHD. She has a deep and vast knowledge of school struggle. Robin loves to advocate for students and help them find their strengths.