Our counselors offer counseling for teens in Bastrop, TX

Melissa Stevens is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) with over 11 years of experience in the mental health field. She is dedicated and passionate when it comes to helping children, teens, adults, and families work through issues related to self-harm, suicidal tendencies and thoughts, depression, anxiety, grief/loss, trauma, relationship issues, and major life transitions.

Melissa completed her master’s degree in clinical Mental Health Counseling at the University of Texas at San Antonio. She has spent most of her career working with adults as they transition through different stages of life, helping to navigate life’s many challenging situations, as well as serving young people aged 6-19 . She is truly passionate about what she does and takes pride in her ability to connect with people on a deeper level. Melissa uses an integrative approach to working with her clients that focuses on using what best suits each client. The modalities she often uses consist of person-centered (PCT, Rogerian) methods, Cognitive Behavioral (CBT), solutions-focused (SFT) therapy, Acceptance and Commitment therapy (ACT), art and music therapy, relational, faith-based, and family systems therapy (FST).

We could all use someone to help us talk through and navigate these difficult and challenging situations we are often faced with. If you, your child, or your family are ready to move towards a stronger sense of self-actualization and self-determination in a comfortable, safe, and judgment-free zone, schedule your appointment with Melissa today.

Valerie Posas, PsyD, is a highly dedicated Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) who has over 10 years of extensive experience in counseling people from diverse backgrounds, and in various settings. Dr. Posas is a native of Texas, but she spent 13 years in California and in traveling the world to complete various mental health trainings. She worked for the California Department State Hospital, as a Senior Psychologist Specialist, from 2015-2021. While at the State Hospital, Dr. Posas completed various trainings required for the forensic work setting, including extensive trauma-informed care trainings, and she utilized her trainings to train other staff members about the importance of trauma-informed care. Therefore, Dr. Posas has a great passion for trauma work and helping individuals heal their trauma. Her professional background includes education and clinical experiences that have focused on mental health, behavior, and learning.

Dr. Posas completed her Bachelor of Science (BS) in Communication Studies at the University of Texas. She completed both her Master of Arts (MA) in Psychology, with an emphasis in Child and Adolescent Psychology, and her Doctor of Psychology (PsyD) in Applied Clinical Psychology at the Chicago School of Professional Psychology. Prior to making the decision to enter the field of psychology, Dr. Posas completed the Post Baccalaureate course requirements in Special Education and Bilingual Education at the University of Texas-Austin. Although she was initially looking forward to a career in the field of education, Dr. Posas's personal and professional experiences, during that time and prior, led to the desire and ultimately the outcome of furthering her education in the field of psychology.

Dr. Posas specializes in trauma work and her primary goal is to help people heal their bodies, minds, and souls. She is aware of the importance of knowing what trauma is, knowing how trauma impacts individuals differently, knowing about the biological responses to trauma, and knowing how trauma can lead to various behaviors. With a greater understanding of trauma, Dr. Posas approaches each individual client with compassion and empathy, and she takes on a more eclectic approach to therapy, which allows her to utilize various theoretical orientations and techniques to address each individual client’s needs.