Gladney’s Counseling Team

Our counselors

Caitlyn Ussery, LCSW-S, is the Director of Counseling Services at the Gladney Center for Adoption. In this role, she oversees Gladney’s clinical programs, provides leadership and support to the counseling team, and ensures families and children receive trauma-informed, high-quality therapeutic care. She also guides the development of clinical initiatives that strengthen and support adoptive, foster, and birth families throughout their journeys.
Caitlyn began her social work career in 2013 serving unaccompanied refugee minors and immigrant children, as well as the foster parents who cared for them. She is a Trust-Based Relational Intervention (TBRI®) Practitioner, an EMDR Trained Therapist, and trained in Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. She is also a certified Healing, Attachment, Loving Outreach (HALO) therapist and a Making Sense of Your Worth (MSOYW) facilitator.
She earned her undergraduate degree in Psychology from Dallas Baptist University and her Master of Social Work degree from the University of Texas at Arlington. Caitlyn specializes in working with children and families in the foster care and adoption community, creating a safe, encouraging, and respectful space where meaningful change can happen. Her hope for each person she serves is that they build healthier, more connected relationships with others. Outside of work, Caitlyn enjoys spending time with her family, reading, and savoring a good cup of coffee. Caitlyn is not accepting new clients at this time. Caitlyn is not accepting new clients at this time.

Kara Leon, LCSW, received her undergraduate and master’s degrees from Stephen F. Austin State University. She has worked within the foster care system for over five years with foster children and foster/adoptive parents, with the past one and a half years working with Gladney’s New Beginnings program. She is trained in Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and is an EMDR Trained Therapist. Her goal is to provide a judgement free and safe environment for people to express their emotions. Kara enjoys spending time with her family, reading, napping, and watching the newest action movies.

Shelly Kalina, LCSW, received her undergraduate degree in Psychology from Dallas Baptist University and her master’s degree in social work from The University of Texas at Arlington. She has worked with children and families for 10+ years and previously worked in Gladney’s Post Adoption Department offering support to adoptive and birth families alike. Shelly’s goal as a therapist is to create a safe space for clients to explore their emotions while deepening their insight. Shelly loves the beach, brunch, true crime documentaries, and spending quality time with her friends and family.

Diana Gibson, LPC, Art Therapist, holds a dual Master’s Degree in Art Therapy and Counseling from St. Mary of the Woods College and has over a decade of experience supporting children, teens, and adults through creative, trauma-informed care. Her background includes work at Cook Children’s Medical Center, where she served as Resident Artist for eight years, and The Art Station, providing therapy across diverse populations, including veterans, youth in foster care, and individuals facing mental health and addiction challenges. Diana is also an educator and clinical supervisor, currently teaching in the graduate art therapy program at Edgewood College. She frequently presents at national conferences and is certified in Animal Assisted Counseling, working alongside her therapy dog, Sketch. In addition to her clinical work, Diana is a professional artist, muralist, and illustrator—and a proud mother of three.

Kaitlyn Christian, LPC, RPT (serving clients in Dallas) holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Spanish from Texas A&M University and a Master of Science in Counseling from the University of North Texas. Kaitlyn has supported individuals and families in schools, nonprofits, and community agencies—working with those facing medical crises, housing instability, and domestic violence. She is trained in Child-Parent Relationship Therapy (CPRT) and passionate about trauma-informed, culturally responsive care. Kaitlyn provides counseling across the lifespan, supporting both children and adults with a compassionate, relational approach. Her work is rooted in the belief that acceptance is a powerful path to growth. Kaitlyn strives to create a space that feels secure, grounded, and welcoming—where clients can explore thoughts and feelings that may be difficult to say out loud. She believes that by honoring even the parts of ourselves we find hardest to face, we can move toward healing, self-compassion, and deep, lasting change. With children, Kaitlyn utilizes a child’s natural form of communication, play, to help children process trauma, navigate transitions, and build emotional resilience. Her work focuses on building strong, supportive relationships that nurture a child’s self-esteem, self-direction, and self-responsibility. She is deeply honored by each client’s choice to trust her on their journey and works to ensure they feel truly seen, safe, and empowered every step of the way. 

Morgan Draper, LPC (serving clients in Houston) obtained a master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Houston Baptist University. Before obtaining her master’s and a license as a counselor, she worked specifically with individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities as a Program Director and a Case Worker. In October of 2022, she began her journey as a Licensed Professional Counselor-Associate where she gained experience in the mental health field by providing counseling and behavioral services to children, adolescents, and adults in both private practice and agency settings. During this time, she was closely involved in Family Services in which she helped clients moving through CPS and DFPS, and who are going through or have gone through the adoption process. Morgan’s theoretical choice involves Person-centered and Strengths-based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. She received her training in Trauma-Focused CBT and is in school to receive her certification as a Registered Play Therapist. She enjoys addressing issues involving depression, anxiety, trauma, low self-esteem, and behavioral concerns, as well as working with those who identify as neurodivergent. Morgan’s goal is to empower clients and their families and support them on their journey of healing and understanding. 

Counseling Interns

Kianté Conger, LMSW, Supervised by Caitlyn Ussery, LCSW-S, received her undergraduate and master’s degrees from Stephen F. Austin State University. She has worked within the foster care system for over six years with foster children and foster/adoptive parents, with the past three and a half years working with Gladney’s New Beginnings families after finalization. She is a certified AutPlay Therapy Provider. Her goal is to address the mental health needs of neurodivergent children and adolescents through a neurodiversity affirming approach. Kianté enjoys spending time with her family, reading, traveling, and watching intriguing documentaries.

Isabel Yates, BSW, Supervised by Ivy Byun PhD, LPC-S, earned her undergraduate degree from Southwestern Assemblies of God University and is currently pursuing her master’s degree at the same institution. Isabel is compassionate and dedicated with four years of experience working within the foster care system. Specializing in supporting children and families, she is passionate about creating a safe, nurturing space where healing and connection can thrive. Trained in Trust-Based Relational Intervention (TBRI), she integrates trauma-informed practices to help foster attachment and resilience in children and families. Her goal is to guide clients toward healthier relationships, emotional regulation, and a sense of safety, all while honoring each individual’s unique story. Isabel is also a case worker in Gladney’s New Beginnings program. Outside of her practice, Isabel loves reading, spending quality time with loved ones, and exploring new cultures through travel.