Monica Willhite Gautney

About Monica Willhite Gautney (She/her), MA, LPC
-Colleyville office-

     Throughout my life, I’ve had many experiences that contributed to my love of counseling and my role as a therapist, they have led to a passionate belief that everyone’s story is important and giving a voice to those stories is invaluable. I began my career as a teacher in the U.S. and abroad, and have over 15 years of experience in international non-profit organizations and community development. I grew to love hearing other’s stories and saw the healing power of true relationships. I eventually returned to school to become a counselor and turned my passion into a path for healing, and I consider it an honor to do the work I do. I am a graduate of MidAmerica Nazarene University, where I received my Master of Arts in Counseling and a Certificate in Play Therapy. I also hold a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education from Texas Woman’s University.
​     I have gained wisdom through my work in private practice, schools, non-profit organizations, and agency work. I started my counseling career working as a counselor and play therapist for a non-profit organization, leading groups for individuals struggling with grief as well as post-adoption support groups. More recently, I have worked as the Safe Babies Trauma Therapist in Tarrant County, serving families involved in child welfare. I have experience working with individuals of all ages and stages of life, and especially love working with individuals recovering from trauma and supporting parents through life's challenges. I work from an attachment perspective, with a special interest in the parent-child attachment relationship and how that impacts our lives from childhood clear through adulthood.
​     I am trained in EMDR and several other modalities to support individuals working through a history of trauma and life’s stressors. I have deep respect for the courage it takes to make the first step in the counseling process and it is my desire to provide a safe, secure place to find hope and healing.

Specialties and Issues:

• Adoption
• Anxiety
• Depression
• Families
• ​​Grief, Loss, & Bereavement
• LGBTQIA+ Issues​
• Parenting
• Trauma & PTSD​
• Spirituality
• Women's Issues

​Insurance accepted by Monica:

• AETNA
• BCBS​
• CIGNA/EVERNORTH
• MAGELLAN
• UMR
• UNITEDHEALTHCARE UHC | UBH

​- Monica is accepting new clients
- Ages 6-10 & 15+

contact

Additional Training & Treatment Styles:

• Trauma Informed Motivational Interviewing, My Health My Resources of Tarrant County    
• EMDR Trained 
• Circle of Security Parenting Certified Facilitator, Circle of Security International
• Certified SafeCare Provider
• Nurturing Parenting Program Certified Facilitator
• Attachment & Biobehavioral Catch-Up Certified Parent Coach (in process)
• Trust Based Relational Intervention trained (TBRI), My Health My Resources of Tarrant County
• Trauma Healing Institute, Mission Trauma Healing: Children’s Trauma Healing Equipping Session

​Education:
M.A. in Counseling from MidAmerica Nazarene University, 2015
B.S. in Elementary Education from Texas Women's University, 1996
License:
Licensed Professional Counselor

Monica as a child

“Vulnerability sounds like truth and feels like courage. Truth and courage aren’t always comfortable, but they’re never weakness.”
- Brené Brown

---