I’m so glad you found your way here. My name is Judy Bou Kheir and I’m a licensed professional counselor (LPC) in the state of Texas. I have a Masters of Education in School Counseling from the University of St. Thomas (Houston), as well as a year of post-graduate work in clinical counseling from Lamar University (Beaumont). I was formerly a public school educator with over 25 years of experience before I found my passion as a counselor. Please read my story below.
How I Got Into Professional Counseling
Some people have asked me why, after a decades-long career in education, I chose to change careers later in life.
I worked as a professional musician and professional music educator throughout my adult life but then something happened. I was diagnosed with Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD; in layman’s terms, Alcoholism). My recovery involved inpatient treatment, aftercare participation for a year, and connection with my local recovery community. I am still active in my recovery and realize that recovery doesn’t just involve connecting with others; it also involves learning better mental health strategies moving forward.
I spent years as an educator, empowering youth to find meaning and purpose. Now I want to help all individuals who are struggling, find solutions for the problems they are facing.
After my first year in recovery, I went back to school to pursue counseling. I knew my life had changed dramatically for the better. I began to see that adopting a healthier lifestyle wasn’t just about my physical health. It also included wellness strategies for my mental and emotional health. Since teaching had been a passion and career, I began to see that I could teach others who might be struggling, to find a way out of the struggle and achieve better outcomes for the future.
What Approach Do I Use For Counseling?
The first step I take in the counseling relationship involves empowering my clients to advocate for their emotional well-being. This means my clients work to understand that actually, they do know themselves better than anyone else. My job as their therapist is to help unravel the difficult circumstance or uncomfortable emotions that may be plaguing them. I use an eclectic style of therapy because just as we are each individual, not every therapeutic modality may fit a client’s personality.
My style of counseling is warm, inviting, and most importantly patient with clients. I want to listen to them so we can move to a plan of action that will bring them clarity and resolution. I love working with clients and seeing hope come into their life after we work together.
Learn more about the session format, insurance and rates, services, FAQ, and contact information by clicking the links below. If you are ready to start a journey that will empower you, I am here to be your advocate!