Our Therapists

Education

Heather Hester is a bilingual (Spanish) Licensed Clinical Social Worker - Supervisor (Texas License #63127) who has experience working with children, teens, and adults. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Social Work from Texas Woman’s University in Denton, TX and graduated with her Master’s degree in Social Work from Texas A&M Commerce in Commerce, TX.

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Heather has extensive training in EMDR Therapy (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing). EMDR is endorsed by the World Health Organization as a method of treating PTSD. She is an Approved EMDRIA Consultant in Training and is actively working towards becoming a Consultant. She is highly skilled in supporting adolescents, parents, and working adults heal from childhood trauma and work through symptoms of anxiety and depression. Therapeutic skills include CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy), CPT (Cognitive Processing Therapy), TF-CBT (Trauma Focused -Cognitive Behavioral Therapy), mindfulness-based therapy, grief counseling, family systems, crisis intervention, and trauma treatment. Heather is only offering EMDR at this time. 

Experience​

Heather has taught at the university level for TWU-UNT joint Master of Social Work degree program and has supervised bachelor and master level social workers since 2016. Heather enjoys working with teens and young adults. She has specialized training in working with individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

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Heather works to support people by non-judgmentally meeting them where they are and walking alongside them to discover and empower their true potential. She skillfully helps clients work through life challenges such as trauma, abuse neglect, self-harming behaviors, physical aggression, depression, anxiety, grief, and/or loss, relational issues, adjustment difficulties, developmental delays, and insecurities. 

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214-239-1980

Education 

Alicia Fitzpatrick is a Licensed Master Social Worker (License Number 64421) under the supervision of Heather Hester M.S., LCSW-S (License Number 63127). Alicia received her Bachelor of Science in Social Work from Texas Woman’s University in 2012 and her Master of Social Work from The University of Texas at Arlington in 2016. Alicia graduated from the Cedar Valley College Law Enforcement Academy in 2017 and has been a commissioned peace officer in Texas since 2018.

Experience

Alicia began her social work career working for Child Protective Services and has extensive experience relating to the effects of trauma and neglect on a child and on the family unit as a whole. After Child Protective Services, Alicia transitioned to the non-profit family violence sector where she gained an immense amount of experience working with survivors of intimate partner violence and sexual assault.

Alicia began her mental health training at UT Southwestern Medical Center where she was able to work with clients both on the inpatient psychiatric unit as well as those experiencing immediate mental health crises who presented to the emergency room.

Alicia believes in taking a solution-focused and client-centered approach to therapy. Alicia believes that the client is the expert in their life, and aims to work collaboratively, to help her clients reach a place of understanding, self-love, and empowerment. Alicia believes in the importance of being genuine and using humor; we are all imperfect and flawed humans trying to do the best we can.

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Alicia has a passion for working with survivors of intimate partner violence and sexual assault. Alicia’s understanding of the deep complexities of relationships where violence is present allows her to help her clients process the trauma surrounding the relationship, while keeping client safety at the forefront. Alicia understands that survival is a messy business, and she is well-equipped to help the survivor navigate past and current traumas, move toward safety, and re-building a life free of violence and trauma.  

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Alicia’s current areas of focus are: women’s issues, domestic violence, divorce, first responders, trauma, adoption, and teens. Alicia is only accepting private pay at this time. 

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​214-239-1980

Education 

Cynthia Barboza is a bilingual (Spanish) License Master Social Worker, License Number 109645, under the supervision of Heather Hester M.S., LCSW-S License Number 63127. She received her Bachelor of Social Work and Master of Social Work degree from the University of Texas at Arlington.

Experience

Her theoretical orientation is primarily integrative, which includes a cognitive, person centered, solutions-focused approach, and relies on attachment theory. Cynthia utilizes motivational interviewing, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), eye movement desensitization reprocessing therapy (EMDR), and faith-based counseling among various other techniques in the treatment of anxiety, depression, posttraumatic stress disorders (PTSD), obsessive compulsive disorders (OCD), suicidality and self-harming, grief, and more.

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Cynthia has experience working with children, adolescents, and adults. She has served and advocated for low income clients, clients involved with the Department of Family and Protective Services, clients in crisis, and clients in outpatient care. She is passionate about helping and empowering clients undergoing severe or chronic stress, single parenthood, special needs parenting, immigration and cultural transitions, childhood trauma, and separation or divorce. Cynthia is only accepting private pay at this time. 

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214-239-1980

Education

Amanda is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (Texas #59364 and Virginia #0904011766) who has experience working with youth, adults and families. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Rehabilitation Studies with a minor in Substance Abuse and Addictions Studies from the University of North Texas in Denton, TX; and graduated with her master’s degree in Social Work from Texas State University in San Marcos, TX in 2012.

 Experience 

Amanda has extensive experience in working with clients who struggle with substance use, severe mental illness, involvement in the criminal justice system, and major life transitions. She is passionate about coming alongside family members who want to have a better understanding on how to support their loved ones through the recovery process. Amanda has worked in a variety of modalities, including the Texas prison system, juvenile detention centers, residential facilities, outpatient, and community home-based settings. She is currently a Social Worker at the Salem VA Healthcare System and considers it an honor to serve our Veterans.

 

Therapeutic skills include CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy) for substance use disorders, depression and anxiety, crisis intervention, and faith-based counseling. Amanda is a board approved supervisor through the state of Texas and is accepting new supervisees. She values the importance of being a part of training and mentoring the next generation of Social Workers. Amanda is currently accepting new patients and credentialed with BlueCross and BlueShield, Medicare, Optum, and private pay. 

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214-239-1980

Education 

Bukky Abu is a Licensed Master Social Worker #61788 under the supervision of Heather Hester, Licensed Clinical Social Worker - Supervisor #63127.  Bukky received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from the University of Texas at Arlington and her Masters in Social Work from Howard University, Washington D.C.   

 Experience

Bukky has worked in various settings as a social worker, she began her career by working in the Washington D.C Superior Court, serving as a liaison between defendants and the court and helping the defendants comply with the program and also at the Corporation for National and Community Service working with youths engaged in service and grant proposals.  Shortly after, she went on to work in Paris, France as the Nigerian representative to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).  Whilst working there, she recognized the need and importance to work as an advocate for young women and children in third world countries. Bukky then moved to Nigeria for about 2 years where she worked as a Resource Development Manager for a non-profit foundation, working with orphaned kids, domestic and substance abused women and men.   She settled in McKinney Texas in 2010 where she continued her passion starting with Collin County’s Indigent Program as a Senior Eligibility Manager and then with various hospitals, home health agencies and hospice. 

 

 She has performed grief and bereavement counseling in hospice, and developed a strong knowledge of area resources through home health and community social work and discharge planning for local hospitals. Bukky is very passionate about helping individuals become the best version of themselves and utilizes the strengths based perspective and client-centered approach.  She has a special interest in helping clients with anxiety, depression, and trauma. Some of the types of therapy she frequently utilizes are Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Motivational Interviewing.  Bukky is only accepting private pay at this time. 

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214-239-1980

 

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