Juliana Chesser

Juliana Chesser, LPC-Associate, NCC

Under the supervision of David Huffman, PhD, MDiv, LPC-S, RPT-S

she/her

Mission:

I am here for your support, connection, reflection, and joy - just as I am prepared for your pain, trauma, loss, or crisis.

Client-counselor collaboration - establishing, safety, trust, and unconditional positive regard in our therapeutic relationship. This sets the tone for meaningful, healthy, and authentic connection to grow deeper.

Discover more about your ways of being in the world by using skills and insight gained from our work together. By increasing your self-awareness both in and out of session, you may grow greater confidence in and responsibility to yourself. Integrate your experiences in life to release the weight carried in your spirit, body, and mind.

My Focus:

I look forward to supporting families through play therapy, a developmentally appropriate and evidenced-based approach for working with children. With adolescents, I shift my approach to activity-based therapy. When working with adults, I offer various modalities. I am passionate about working with young adults from marginalized communities, particularly those whose identities intersect with LGBTQIA+. I also plan to continue focusing on those with ADHD, autism, PTSD, anxiety, and mood-related disorders.

I strive to create a safe container for you to explore the world you are living in today. You deserve to be in this moment, aware and ready for each choice you must make. How does your breath feel in your body right now? Say to yourself what you are aware of now. Sessions focus on increasing awareness and self/external supports, because we function more mindfully when we access these resources.

My Experience:

I enjoy working with clients of all ages and cultural backgrounds, my clients have ranged from ages 3 to 40+ years old. I hold a Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and a Bachelor of Art in Psychology and Pre-professional Art Therapy. My counseling training is informed by two humanistic approaches: gestalt therapy and child-centered play therapy. Most of my clinical experience has been with neurodivergent folks, those with anxiety or mood-related disorders, and those with post-traumatic stress disorder. I have seen clients at the Child & Family Resource Center, Child & Human Development Center, and at schools in contract with the Center for Play Therapy.

While completing my coursework and clinical experience at the University of North Texas in Denton, I also worked as a graduate assistant for the Recovery & Intervention Support & Education Center. Among other responsibilities, I conducted weekly individual and group meetings for peer support, mentoring, psychoeducation, and recovery support. Some groups I facilitated included: SMART Recovery, PRIDE, Creative Arts, & Mindfulness. Previously I worked as a lead coach at Fulshear, a long-term residential treatment and transitional living center in Houston for young adult women. I collaborated in treatment teams to support clients’ goals for achieving greater health, strength, and influence in their lives.

Modalities:

Child-Centered Play Therapy (CCPT)

Gestalt Therapy

Activity Therapy

Group CCPT

Child-Parent Relationship Therapy (CPRT)

Family Therapy

Expressive Arts Therapy

Group Therapy

Affirmative Counseling (LGBTQIA+)

Motivational Interviewing

Substance Use & Alcohol Recovery Support

Sandtray Therapy

Dreamwork

Transpersonal Counseling

Animal-Assisted Counseling

About Me:

Howdy y’all, I'm a Houstonian and proud to be a part of such a wonderfully diverse city and culture. Much of my free time is spent with my partner, husky, and family or friends. Some of my interests include painting and other art forms, trying new recipes (usually spicy), gardening or spending time in the dirt, biking/swimming/longboarding/skiing and nature hikes, playing video games or board/card games with my loved ones, dancing alone and with others, and going thrifting. I love trees and plants, spicy food, the moon and ocean, foraging in the mountains, and decorating. 

Areas of Focus:

- Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder

- Autism Spectrum Disorder

- Generalized Anxiety Disorder

- Social Anxiety Disorder

- Posttraumatic Stress Disorder

- Separation Anxiety Disorder

- Major Depressive Disorder

- Bipolar Disorder, Types I & II

- Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder