The Housson Center is the trusted resource in Dallas for individuals and families in need of psychological and educational services. For more than 20 years, Dr. Matthew Housson and the team at The Housson Center have provided exemplary care grounded in mind-body connection, science, and evidence-based psychology practices.
Matthew Housson, Ph.D., CEO & Founder
Dr. Matthew Housson received his Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in 1996. He began his career at The University of Texas at Dallas, Callier Center for Communication Disorders. Dr. Housson has extensive experience diagnosing autism, attention disorders, learning disabilities, and emotional and behavioral disorders.
At The Housson Center, Dr. Housson and the clinical team provide individual and family psychotherapy services to address behavioral and emotional concerns, as well as conduct psychoeducational and psychological assessments for children, adolescents, and adults. Additionally, he enjoys parent training and working with families to identify appropriate educational environments and accommodations for optimal learning opportunities. He serves on various educational and community boards, including St. Michael Episcopal School, Oak Hill Academy, The Hillier School, The Winston School, and the Jerry M. Lewis, M.D. Mental Health Research Foundation.
Dr. Housson and his wife, Dr. Wells Housson, live in Dallas with their four children. Passionate about the benefits of exercise and being outdoors, he rides his road bike and gets to his ranch as often as he can.
Maryann Hetrick, Ph.D., Managing Partner & Director of Psychological Services
Dr. Maryann Hetrick is a licensed psychologist who received her Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas. As a graduate student, Dr. Hetrick was awarded the Carmen Miller Michael Award for outstanding leadership and dedication to the community, as well as The Dissertation Award by The Dallas Psychological Association for her research on family functioning and eating disorders in children and adolescents.
Prior to joining Dr. Housson’s private practice, Dr. Hetrick worked at the Shelton School and Evaluation Center in Dallas where she served as a research coordinator and the Associate Director of Research. While at Shelton, Dr. Hetrick oversaw parent training groups and ran attention training groups for preschool children who had a diagnosis of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder.
Dr. Hetrick is an expert in evaluation of children with learning, attention, and emotional and behavioral difficulties. She is also one of few psychologists within the Dallas community who offers a comprehensive psychological evaluation for adolescents and adults which yields information regarding cognition, coping skills, thought processes, self-perception, and interpersonal relationships to assist with accurate diagnosis and treatment planning. Additionally, Dr. Hetrick offers counseling services and uses cognitive-behavioral therapy techniques, an empirically validated treatment modality, to address symptoms of anxiety and depression.
Dr. Hetrick loves to spend time at home with her husband, two young sons, and Persian cats. In addition to exploring the world through the eyes of her rambunctious children and attempting to keep up with their fast pace, Dr. Hetrick enjoys crafting, scrapbooking, and reading in her leisure time.
Matt Dallman, MS, LPC-A, Director of Strategic Planning and Communication
Matt Dallman is a Licensed Professional Counselor Associate supervised by Stan Shipman, LPC-S. Matt graduated from Southern Methodist University, where he is specializing in Clinical Mental Health. He received his Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Kansas in Communication Studies.
Matt enjoys working with children, adolescents, young adults, and families. He combines cognitive behavioral and mindfulness techniques to address anxiety and depression, ADHD support, adjustment concerns, and behavioral related difficulties. Matt offers counseling to adolescents and teens exploring feelings of family displacement and bereavement. Matt counsels through an Adlerian lens which focuses on helping the individual understand how their environment shapes their unique self while encouraging connection and acceptance.
Prior to working in the Mental Health field, Matt worked in youth ministry, human resources, and as a restaurant owner and operator. Matt is an acclaimed barbeque pit boss, Airstream enthusiast, and huge Jayhawks, Chiefs, and Royals fan. He loves traveling with his family, cooking meals together, and finding a reason to throw a party. Matt and his wife live in Dallas with their three children and two golden retrievers.
Kristin Devin, MS, LPC-A
Kristin Devin is a Licensed Counselor Associate supervised by Lauren Stewart, MRC, LPC-S. She received her Master of Science degree in Counseling at Southern Methodist University, with a focus in marriage and family counseling. Through her clinical experience Kristin has worked with individuals and families dealing with anxiety, depression, difficult life transitions, self-esteem, and family system troubles. Kristin recognizes that each person carries their own, individualized story and truth. Trauma, life experiences, environment, time, transitions, and genetics all play a part in the makeup of an individual and their lived experience. Taking an individualized approach to meet the needs of the client, and create a well-rounded treatment plan. Kristin sees children, adolescents, young adults, couples, and families.
Prior to joining the Housson Center team, Kristin has worked in education for the past nine years. Most recently as the Director of English Learner Programming, She has supported children and their families with differentiated learning experiences, curriculum implementation, and teacher, administration, and staff collaboration and professional development.
Kristin loves taking walks with her dog and enjoying the outdoors with her husband. She loves trying new restaurants, traveling, and spending time with family and friends.
Diana Diduck, MS, BCBA, LPC
Diana Diduck is a Licensed and Board Certified Behavior Analyst and Licensed Professional Counselor. She received her Master of Science in Counseling from Southern Methodist University, Graduate Certificate in Behavior Analysis from University of North Texas, and Bachelor of Science degrees in Psychology and Child Learning and Development from the University of Texas at Dallas. She serves on the Clinical Advisory Board at The Vanguard School and as a board member of The Segue Center.
Diana sees teenagers, adults, families and couples. Diana utilizes evidence–based practices including cognitive-behavior therapy, EMDR, and Kazdin Parent Management Training to address anxiety, depression, gender identity, parenting challenges, marital discord and high school-to-college transition issues.
In addition to counseling services, Diana is the director of behavior services at The Housson Center. She supervises Registered Behavior Technicians in ABA therapy (in-home and school) to treat autism and behavior-related difficulties such as non-compliance and oppositional defiance. Parental and caregiver training in behavioral procedures for the home setting is integral to her practice, as is consultation with schools.
Diana and her husband live in Dallas and have two grown children. In her free time, she likes getting out into nature as much as possible.
Heather Gerling, LPC, Ph.D. Sociology
Dr. Heather Gerling is a Licensed Professional Counselor who received her Master of Arts degree from Amberton University. She earned her Ph.D. in Sociology from Texas Woman’s University, and conducts research into the social processes that lead to mental and physical health among adolescents and adults.
At the Housson Center, Heather specializes in parent training. She partners with parents to help them create a family culture that reflects their values, and enjoys assisting them to develop successful strategies that cultivate a loving and respectful parent-child relationship. Heather believes that enhancing the unique bond that parents and children share not only increases child cooperation, but nurtures the emotional, physical, and social health of the entire family. She has worked extensively with individuals and groups who have experienced interpersonal trauma. A long-time yoga and meditation practitioner, Heather takes a holistic approach to mental health with an emphasis on mindfulness and personal growth. Utilizing a combination of cognitive behavioral and other person-centered and somatic techniques, she also offers individual counseling to help adults navigate life transitions, and manage anxiety and depression.
A resident of Richardson and self-proclaimed lover of poorly behaved dogs, Heather is passionate about her family, supporting the Richardson Woman’s Club Charitable Foundation, and teaching at the Richardson Adult Literacy Center.
Jane Hensley, M.R.C., CRC, LPC
Jane Hensley works with children, adolescents, young adults, and adults, in collaboration with their families and educational institutions. She is a Licensed Professional Counselor and Certified Rehabilitation Counselor. Jane received her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of Notre Dame and her Master of Clinical Rehabilitation Counseling from The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center. She completed her clinical training through UT Southwestern’s Personal and Social Adjustment Training Group, a psychoeducational and process group, and with the Consult-Liaison Psychiatry Service at Parkland Memorial Hospital. Her practicum experience enabled her to work with individuals in unique settings with a variety of mental and physical diagnoses, in partnership with physicians, psychiatrists, occupational, speech and physical therapists.
Jane utilizes cognitive-behavioral techniques to address executive function deficits, anxiety, depression, and learning, emotional, and behavioral challenges. Additionally, her experience as a certified yoga and mindfulness meditation instructor informs her therapeutic work with clients and their families.
A Dallas native, Jane serves on the Ursuline Academy of Dallas Alumnae Board, and she is an active and enthusiastic volunteer with Genesis Women’s Shelter & Support, the Junior League of Dallas, and the Texas Women’s Foundation. Jane lives in Dallas with her husband and their yellow Lab. She enjoys traveling, cooking, working on her Spanish, and retreating to her yoga mat as much as possible.
Alex Hoggan, MA, LPC, Assistant Director of Clinical Training
Alex Hoggan is a Licensed Professional Counselor. She earned her Master of Arts degree in Professional Counseling from Amberton University and received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from California Lutheran University. She has worked in various capacities for The Housson Center since 2014. Alex specializes in evaluating and treating emotional and attentional difficulties. She provides executive function training for school-aged children, as well as individual and group therapy for children, adolescents, and adults to assist with anxiety, depression, ADHD, and behavior-related difficulties.
Alex believes in fostering growth through reflection, increased self-awareness, reframing negative thoughts, and identification and change of irrational beliefs. She has received extensive training in behavior therapy (ABA) and strategies to help assess and counteract executive function weaknesses. Utilizing empirically supported approaches, including cognitive-behavioral therapy, behavior-based techniques, and mindfulness, Alex’s clients build healthy coping skills and learn tools for effective communication.
Alex is a Dallas native and alumna of Ursuline Academy. She lives in the Lakewood area with her husband and two daughters. She enjoys art, spending time with her family, eating queso, watching movies, and listening to true crime podcasts.
Leda Owens, MA, LPC, Director of ADHD & Learning Services
Leda Owens is a Licensed Professional Counselor who received her Master of Arts degree from Amberton University and received Bachelor of Arts and Science degrees in Psychology and Child Learning and Development from the University of Texas at Dallas. She is currently working toward her Ph.D. in General Psychology. Leda joined Dr. Housson’s practice in 2008 and has extensive knowledge in diagnosing and treating ADHD. She developed the Executive Functioning Counseling and Training (EFCT) program and “Parenting the ADHD Child” parenting workshop. Additionally, Leda is a Certified Cogmed Working Memory Coach and oversees all Cogmed training.
Leda has expertise in the evaluation of various learning, attention, emotional and behavioral disorders. She also sees children, adolescents, and young adults in individual therapy using cognitive-behavioral and acceptance and mindfulness techniques. She provides guidance to parents and their children as they navigate new learning and emotional diagnoses or life challenges. Specifically, she assists families in addressing concerns related to academic achievement, adjustment to divorce, anxiety, attention deficits, behavior concerns, and depression.
Leda loves spending time at home with her husband and three daughters, who range in age from early elementary to high school. She enjoys being outside, traveling and camping, and is a soccer enthusiast. Leda believes laughter to be one of the best remedies and is known for pulling office pranks. She is active in her church and takes refuge in 1 Corinthians 15:10 “But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace toward me was not in vain.”
Gentry Ramirez, LPC-A
Gentry Ramirez is a Licensed Professional Counselor Associate under the supervision of Lauren Stewart, M.R.C., LPC-S. She received her Bachelors of Arts degree from the University of Arkansas in Biology, as well as a minor in Psychology. Gentry went on to earn her Master of Science in Counseling from Southern Methodist University with a specialty in Marriage and Family counseling. In her clinical training, Gentry has worked with individuals and families experiencing various traumas, while implementing Trauma Focused CBT techniques to promote understanding and healing. With her training in family counseling, Gentry often utilizes a systemic framework to help individuals identify unhelpful patterns and resolve conflicts within the context of the family or relationships. Gentry currently works with children, adolescents, and young adults experiencing difficulties with anxiety, depression, trauma, or behavioral-related difficulties.
In her free time, Gentry enjoys spending time outdoors, cooking with her husband, and getting lost in a good book!
Mary Reilly, MS, Ed.S., LPA, LSSP, Director of Early Childhood
Mary Reilly is a Licensed Psychological Associate (LPA) and Licensed Specialist in School Psychology (LSSP). She has expertise in the evaluation and treatment of preschool and school-aged children and adolescents with social, emotional, attentional, and behavioral difficulties. Specifically, Mary conducts Developmental and Psychoeducational Evaluations and is trained in administering a variety of assessments, including those used to identify Autism Spectrum Disorder and other socio-developmental disorders. Mary also conducts individual and family therapy, as well as parent training for individuals and their families who are struggling behaviorally and emotionally. She uses a variety of evidence-based techniques in her sessions, including cognitive behavioral techniques and behavioral strategies. Mary received her BA from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and her MS and Ed.S. from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.
Prior to joining The Housson Center in 2015, Mary worked as a Licensed Specialist in School Psychology in the Highland Park Independent School District as well as other districts in the Milwaukee, Wisconsin area where she conducted special education evaluations, individual counseling, and teacher consultation for school-aged children with disabilities. She has extensive knowledge in special education law and the development of behavioral strategies for children in the school and home settings. Mary also enjoys consulting with teachers and staff, offering professional development presentations and staff trainings on children with disabilities.
A native Midwesterner, Mary now calls Texas home. She lives in Dallas with her husband and young daughter and enjoys traveling anywhere, drinking red wine, and cheering on her Wisconsin Badgers during football season.
Amanda Salerno, SSPY, LSSP, LPA, Director of Autism Services
Supervised by Dr. Matthew Housson
Amanda Salerno is a Licensed Psychological Associate under the supervision of Dr. Matthew Housson. She has expertise in the assessment and treatment of child and adolescent disorders including Autism Spectrum Disorder, and extensive knowledge of special education laws and procedures. Additionally, she offers school consultative services and individual counseling using a combination of cognitive-behavioral and social learning techniques to assist children with anxiety, depression, and behavior-related difficulties.
Amanda received her Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology from Texas Woman’s University in 2004 and went on to complete her Specialist in School Psychology degree in 2007. Before joining the Housson Center in 2016, she worked as a Licensed Specialist in School Psychology for ten years in the Highland Park, Frisco, and Arlington Independent School Districts where she provided assessment and treatment services for learning, emotional, and behavioral disorders in children and adolescents. Amanda enjoys working with families, school staff, and intervention specialists in order to provide a collaborative approach to intervention.
Amanda is a native Texan, born in Austin, who relocated to the Dallas area in college. She loves to cook, is a runner at heart, and enjoys traveling with her husband and daughter anytime the opportunity presents.
Amy Jo Secker, MS, LPC-A
Amy Jo is a Licensed Professional Counselor Associate in the state of Texas, supervised by Mark E. Hundley, M.Ed., LPC-S. She completed her Masters degree in Counseling at Southern Methodist University and holds a Bachelors in Spanish from Texas Tech University. Prior to working in the mental health field, she taught high school Spanish in the DFW area and later was a SAHM to her three children. Amy Jo offers counseling for individuals and couples, and she specializes in grief and loss, relationship dynamics, life transitions, anxiety and depression, and communication.
Amy Jo approaches counseling through an Adlerian lens and aims to help individuals make connections and see patterns in their personal history that allow them a clearer view of the present, giving them an opportunity to grow. For her, the therapeutic relationship is paramount, and Amy Jo strives to foster a supportive, non-judgmental space for clients. She aims to provide a space that feels both warm and secure, one in which clients feel comfortable to take risks and explore difficult topics.
Amy Jo is married and has two fluffy labradoodles. Outside the office, she loves to cheer for her children on the sports field and play Mahjong. She is a member of the American Counseling Association.
Kristy Sender, M.Ed., NCC, LPC
Kristy Sender is a Licensed Professional Counselor and Registered Play Therapist. Additionally, she holds a certification as a National Board Certified Counselor. She has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from the University of the Incarnate Word in San Antonio, Texas where she majored in Psychology and Child Development and minored in English and Art History. She earned her Master of Education in Counseling from the University of North Texas where she studied at the world-renowned Center for Play Therapy. She has specialties in Play Therapy and School Counseling.
Kristy has worked with children, adolescents, and adults in a variety of roles, including educator, school counselor, high school crisis counselor, and mental health clinician. Kristy uses her professional and educational backgrounds to create tailored treatment plans to meet the needs of each client. Her experience in these varied roles allows her to see through multiple lenses and provide support from different perspectives. Kristy uses child-centered play therapy to serve younger children, ages 3 to 10. This developmentally appropriate therapeutic modality helps children process their world and experiences. For upper elementary children, middle and high school clients, Kristy draws upon an array of therapeutic modalities, including activity therapy, expressive arts therapy, group therapy, sand tray therapy, as well as traditional talk therapy.
Kristy is a firm believer that parental support, collaboration, and involvement is crucial to the therapeutic process. In parent consultations, she offers tools and strategies to help lessen family concerns and enhance the parent-child relationship. Parents’ emotional well-being is vital to a healthy family and a healthy parent-child relationship. Kristy also offers individual counseling services to adults to help navigate the stressors and challenges in their lives.
Anna Sergiovanni, MS, LPC-A
Anna Sergiovanni is a Licensed Professional Counselor Associate supervised by Lauren Stewart, M.R.C., LPC-S. Anna received her Master of Science in Counseling from Southern Methodist University. She previously provided therapeutic services at SMU’s Center for Family Counseling. Anna is a part of the evaluation team and offers therapeutic services to children, adolescents, and adults. She uses developmentally appropriate play activities and cognitive behavioral techniques to help individuals with emotional, relational, and behavioral concerns. Anna believes that all individuals have the potential to heal, find meaning, and achieve their goals in a safe space. She believes that self-awareness serves as a catalyst for positive change. Additionally, Anna provides executive functioning services to both children and adolescents.
A Dallas native, Anna attended Ursuline Academy of Dallas. She loves to play tennis and spend time with her husband, family, friends, and goldendoodle, Wilson.
Sharon Stambaugh, MA, LPC
Sharon Stambaugh is a Licensed Professional Counselor and has worked with Dr. Housson since 2003. She received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from the University of Texas at Dallas and her Master of Arts degree from Amberton University. Sharon assists with conducting Psychoeducational Evaluations for children, adolescents, and adults. She offers counseling services and uses cognitive-behavior therapy techniques to assist children with anxiety, depression, attention, and behavior-related difficulties. Additionally, Sharon works with students who struggle with executive function weaknesses and assists them in developing these important life skills. She has a heart for assisting individuals and families who are struggling with mental, behavioral, and emotional problems.
Sharon was born and raised in South Africa and immigrated to Dallas in 1997. She lives in McKinney with her husband, son, and daughter. In her free time, Sharon enjoys spending time with her family, traveling, and cooking and meal planning. She is especially passionate about baking and decorating cookies and cakes.
Lauren Stewart, M.R.C., LPC-S, Director of Adolescent Services and Clinical Training
Lauren Stewart is a licensed professional counselor supervisor who received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from Texas A&M University in 2010. She went on to earn her Master of Clinical Rehabilitation Counseling from the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in 2014. Lauren joined the Housson Center in 2014 and specializes in the treatment of child and adolescent attention and emotional difficulties. Lauren offers counseling services and uses cognitive-behavioral therapy techniques to assist children, adolescents, and adults with anxiety, depression, ADHD, and behavior-related difficulties. Lauren especially enjoys working with adolescents and young adults presenting with concerns pertaining to developing healthy boundaries, maintaining transition to adult life, and effective communication. Lauren believes in the importance of patient education as adolescents develop into young adults and navigate the natural challenges associated with this transition. Lauren also supervises graduate level students who are pursing degrees in counseling.
In her free time, Lauren enjoys spending time at her ranch in Kaufman, Texas with her husband, two daughters, and multiple Brahman cattle. She also enjoys traveling around the world, listening to the Hamilton soundtrack, and playing fantasy football.
Ally Tibbitts, MS, LPC-A
Ally is a Licensed Professional Counselor Associate supervised by Lauren Stewart, M.R.C., LPC-S. She graduated from Southern Methodist University’s Clinical Mental Health Counseling Program with an emphasis in children and adolescents. She has been a part of The Housson Center team since 2018 in various roles. She received her undergraduate degree from The University of Arkansas in Human Development and Family Science with an emphasis in Child Development.
Ally primarily sees adolescents and young adults, utilizing a strengths-based cognitive behavioral (CBT) approach to address anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, executive function deficits, and other emotional or behavioral challenges. She encourages her clients to identify the negative thought patterns that do not serve them and work to restructure them in a way that promotes a higher self-esteem and confidence level. Even in an individual therapy session, Ally views each client in a systemic context, paying close attention to the role of family and other environmental factors.
A proud Ursuline alumna and Dallas native, Ally enjoys spending time with family and friends. She can usually be found in a spin or heated sculpt class, or on the couch with her husband and dog watching tv – as she is a big believer in balance.
Megan Young, MRC, CRC, LPC
Megan Young is a Licensed Professional Counselor and Certified Rehabilitation Counselor. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Bachelor of Science in Health & Society from Southern Methodist University, prior to completing her master’s in Clinical Rehabilitation Counseling from The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center. Her clinical experience includes working with children and their families to enhance emotional regulation, communication, and problem-solving skills. Megan uses cognitive-behavioral strategies, as well as developmentally appropriate play activities to assist in supporting children with mood, attention, and behavior-related difficulties. Megan also works with children and adolescents to enhance executive functioning skills, such as planning, organization, and task initiation.
In her free time, Megan enjoys creative design projects, reading, spending time with friends, and cuddling with her Maltese pup, Lucky.
Mary-Kyle McDonald, M.C.D., CCC-SLP, Director of Speech & Language Services
Mary-Kyle earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders from the University of Mississippi and a Master of Communication Disorders degree from Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center in Shreveport. She is a licensed Speech-Language Pathologist. Mary-Kyle specializes in evaluating and treating children and adolescents in the areas of social communication and receptive / expressive language. She also evaluates and treats children with articulation and phonology as well as fluency disorders.
Anna Wise, MS, CCC-SLP
Anna Wise is a licensed Speech-Language Pathologist and earned a Master of Science degree in Speech-Language Pathology from the University of North Texas. She completed her undergraduate studies at Mississippi State University, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Special Education. While Anna has training in nearly all areas of speech-language pathology, she primarily specializes in treating children in the areas of social communication, articulation and phonology, and early childhood language.
Anna began her career as a special education teacher working in both Richardson and Highland Park ISDs. As a special education teacher, she gained a great deal of experience working with children who have learning disabilities, emotional disturbances, autism, intellectual disabilities, and behavior challenges. It was during her time as a special education teacher, she realized her desire to help others, especially children, communicate. Her passion and excitement for working with children and her creative therapy style, enables her to connect with children in meaningful ways so that each child may reach their potential.
In her free time, Anna enjoys spending time with her husband, two young children, and two dogs.
Emily Davis, MS, CCC-SLP
Emily is a licensed Speech Language Pathologist. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Special Education from the University of Georgia and a Master of Science in Communication Disorders from The University of Texas at Dallas. Emily has experience evaluating and treating a variety of communication disorders, but specializes in working with children with social communication deficits, receptive and expressive language disorders, articulation/phonological deficits, and behavioral feeding difficulties. Before joining The Housson Center team, Emily has worked as an Early Childhood Intervention SLP at The Warren Center as well as an Elementary School SLP in Highland Park ISD.
Emily is originally from Marietta, Georgia and moved to Dallas in 2016. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her husband and their dog. Her hobbies include running, cooking, and reading. She loves to be outdoors and has a passion for traveling.
Olivia Claiborn, C.A.L.T.
Olivia Claiborn is a Certified Academic Language Therapist. She received her Bachelors of Arts degree in Psychology from Hamilton College. Olivia then earned a Masters in Education from Manhattanville College while working at an all-boys independent school in New York City. Her husband’s job brought her to Dallas, where she worked at an independent school as a first grade teacher and then in-house Dyslexia Therapist for the past nine years. Olivia received training from the Shelton School to complete her therapy certification. She uses the Take Flight program, a multi-sensory, systematic, and structured program to teach phonics and reading skills to students diagnosed with dyslexia.
Hailing from Connecticut, Olivia now calls Dallas home with her husband and two boys.
Amanda Walker, M.A.
Amanda Walker-Pethick is an educational consultant with 14 years of experience working with diverse learning profiles spanning early childhood to high school in public, private, and tribal schools. She is a certified special education teacher, a Certified Autism Specialist, holds a Master’s degree in Education and Community Renewal from the University of Oklahoma, and is currently completing a dissertation for a PhD-ED in Philosophy of Special Education with an anticipated graduation date in 2022. Prior to joining The Housson Center, Mrs. Walker-Pethick worked as a special education teacher, special education advocate, education professional development provider, Director of Student Support Services, in-home family support provider, and executive functioning and social skills trainer. She has spent her career working with diverse learners to include students on the autism spectrum, significant behavioral disorders, specific learning disabilities, ADHD, and developmental disabilities. She believes in a holistic approach to services focusing on the educational, mental, familial, and social well-being of the child.
In her personal life, Mrs. Walker-Pethick enjoys spending time with her husband and three sons, traveling, acting in local community theatre productions, and presenting professional development sessions for educators and families across the states of Texas and Oklahoma.