Monica Willhite, PhD, LPC

“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.”

Bio

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.

The practical details

• Pronouns: she/her

• Sees clients: Colleyville · Online

• Ages: Ages 18+

• With insurance: $0–$50 typical copay

• Without insurance: $180 — private pay

• In network with: Aetna, BCBS, Cigna/Evernorth, Curative, Magellan, UMR, UnitedHealthcare

What Monica works with

• EMDR

• Trauma & PTSD

• Adoption & attachment

• Grief & loss

• Anxiety

• Depression

• Parenting

• Women's issues

• Spirituality

• LGBTQIA+ affirming

How Monica works

• EMDR

• TBRI

• Attachment-Based

• Circle of Security

• Trauma-Informed Motivational Interviewing

• Play Therapy

Education & credentials

• PhD

• M.A., Counseling — MidAmerica Nazarene University, 2015

• B.S., Elementary Education — Texas Woman's University, 1996

• Licensed Professional Counselor, State of Texas

Additional training

• EMDR Trained

• Trust-Based Relational Intervention (TBRI)

• Circle of Security Parenting — Certified Facilitator

• Certified SafeCare Provider

• Nurturing Parenting Program — Certified Facilitator

• Attachment & Biobehavioral Catch-Up — Parent Coach (in process)

• Trauma-Informed Motivational Interviewing — MHMR of Tarrant County

• Children's Trauma Healing — Trauma Healing Institute

Monica’s quote

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

— Brené Brown

Monica as a child