Counselors
Gladney’s Counseling Team
Each of our counselors brings a unique approach and area of expertise. We invite you to review their bios and reach out directly to schedule with the therapist who best fits your needs and goals.
FORT WORTH
Dallas
Houston
About Caitlyn
As the Director of Clinical Services, Caitlyn 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 has worked in the child welfare field for over 10 years and has been a practicing therapist since 2018. 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. 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.
Scope of Practice
EMDR, Attachment-based therapy, CBT, Integrative therapy, Person-centered, TF-CBT, TBRI
Credentials
LCSW-S, EMDR Trained, TBRI Practitioner, trained in TF-CBT, certified HALO therapist and Making Sense of Your Worth facilitator
Insurance Accepted
Aetna, BCBS, Cigna, Cooks Children Health Plan, Magellan, Molina Healthcare, Parkland Community Health Plan, Baylor Scott & White (First Care), Superior Health Plan, Texas Children Health Plan, UHC (Optum), Wellpoint
Jessica Tibbets
MSW
About Jessica
Jessica serves as our Counseling Office & Intake Coordinator and is often one of the first friendly faces clients encounter when beginning services. She helps individuals and families navigate the intake process, schedule appointments, complete necessary paperwork, and connect with the counseling resources that best meet their needs. Her goal is to help create a welcoming, supportive, and seamless experience from the very first point of contact.
Monica Tasby-Lafayette
About Monica
Monica serves as our Billing & Credentialing Specialist, supporting both clients and clinicians through the insurance and billing process. She assists with insurance verification, billing questions, payment support, and provider credentialing to help ensure clients can access counseling services as smoothly and affordably as possible. Her work behind the scenes helps keep the counseling experience organized, accessible, and client-centered.
Kara Leon
LCSW
About Kara
Kara earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Stephen F. Austin State University. She has over five years of experience working in foster care with children and foster/adoptive families. She strives to create a safe, judgment-free space where clients can share openly. In her free time, she enjoys being with family, reading, napping, and watching action movies.
Scope of Practice
EMDR, Attachment-based therapy, CBT, Integrative therapy, Person-centered, TF-CBT, TBRI
Credentials
LCSW, EDMR Trained, and trained in TBRI, TF-CBT, and CBT
Insurance Accepted
Aetna, BCBS, Cigna, Cooks Children Health Plan, Magellan, Molina Healthcare, Parkland Community Health Plan, Baylor Scott & White (First Care), Superior Health Plan, Texas Children Health Plan, UHC (Optum), Wellpoint
Shelly Kalina
LCSW
About Shelly
Shelly earned her bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Dallas Baptist University and her master’s degree in Social Work from The University of Texas at Arlington. With over 10 years of experience working with children and families—including her time in Gladney’s Post Adoption Department—she is passionate about supporting all members of the adoption constellation. Shelly strives to create a safe, supportive space where clients can explore their emotions and gain deeper insight. Outside of work, she enjoys puzzles, brunch, true crime documentaries, beach vacations and quality time with friends and family.
Scope of Practice
Attachment-based therapy, CBT, DBT, EMDR, Integrative therapy, Person-centered, TBRI, TF-CBT
Credentials
LCSW, EMDR trained, trained in CBT, TBRI, and TF-CBT, 5+ years working with birth families
Insurance Accepted
Aetna, BCBS, Cigna, Cooks Children Health Plan, Magellan, Molina Healthcare, Parkland Community Health Plan, Baylor Scott & White (First Care), Superior Health Plan, Texas Children Health Plan, UHC (Optum), Wellpoint
Kiante Conger
LCSW
About Kiante
Kiante earned her undergraduate and master’s degrees from Stephen F. Austin State University and has over six years of experience working in foster care with children and foster/adoptive families, including more than three years supporting Gladney’s New Beginnings families post-finalization. As a transracial adoptee, Kianté brings both personal and professional insight to her work, helping adoptees explore identity, belonging, and their authentic selves. Kianté is also passionate about supporting neurodivergent children and adolescents through a neurodiversity-affirming approach. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with family, reading, traveling, and watching documentaries.
Scope of Practice
Play Therapy, CBT, TF-CBT, Attachment Based Therapy, IFS
Credentials
LMSW, training in CBT and TF-CBT, TBRI, AutPlay Therapy, Introduction to Synergetic Play Therapy, Transracial Adoptee
Insurance Accepted
Aetna, Cigna, UHC
Isabel Yates
LPC-Associate
About Isabel
Supervised by Ivy Byun PhD, LPC-S, Isabel, earned her bachelors in social work and her masters degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Nelson University. She currently holds a duel role at Gladney, directly working with children in state care, while also seeing clients in the counseling center.
Isabel takes a collaborative, client-centered approach, helping children and families develop healthier relationships, improve emotional regulation, and experience a greater sense of safety and stability. She is committed to honoring each individual’s unique story and meeting clients with empathy and respect throughout the therapeutic process.
Outside of her work, Isabel enjoys reading, spending quality time with loved ones, and exploring new cultures through travel.
Scope of Practice
Integrative therapy, Attatchement-based therapy, IFS, TF-CBT, Person-Center, Family systems, DBT
Credentials
LPC-A, TBRI trained and 4+ years working with children in state care and foster families
Kaitlyn Christian
LPC, RPT
About Kaitlyn
Kaitlyn holds degrees in Psychology and Spanish from Texas A&M and a Master’s in Counseling from UNT. She has worked in schools, nonprofits, and community agencies, supporting individuals and families facing medical challenges, housing instability, and domestic violence.
Trained in Child-Parent Relationship Therapy (CPRT), Kaitlyn provides trauma-informed, culturally responsive care for children and adults. She creates a safe, welcoming space where clients can explore difficult thoughts and emotions and move toward healing and self-compassion.
With children, she uses play therapy to help process trauma, navigate transitions, and build resilience—focusing on strong relationships that support confidence and growth.
Scope of Practice
Child centered Play Therapy, EMDR, TF-CBT, Sandtray therapy, Person-centered therapy, Child Parent Relationship Training
Credentials
LPC, RPT, EMDR Trained, and trained in TF-CBT
Insurance Accepted
Aetna, BCBS, Cigna, Cooks Children Health Plan, Magellan, Molina Healthcare, Parkland Community Health Plan, Baylor Scott & White (First Care), Superior Health Plan, Texas Children Health Plan, UHC (Optum), Wellpoint
Morgan Draper
LPC, Certified Play Therapist
About Morgan
Morgan earned her master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Houston Baptist University. She previously worked with individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities as a Program Director and Case Worker. Since 2022, Morgan has provided counseling to children, adolescents, and adults in both private practice and agency settings. She has experience supporting families involved with CPS/DFPS and those navigating adoption. Morgan’s goal is to empower clients and their families and support them on their journey of healing and understanding.
Scope of Practice
Play therapy, TF-CBT, Sand tray, CBT, Person-Centered, Family systems, Attachment-based, DBT
Credentials
LPC, Certified Play Therapist, trained in TF-CBT
Insurance Accepted
Aetna, BCBS, Cigna, Cooks Children Health Plan, Magellan, Molina Healthcare, Parkland Community Health Plan, Baylor Scott & White (First Care), Superior Health Plan, Texas Children Health Plan, UHC (Optum), Wellpoint