The BTIIC Project team is proud to welcome in student cohorts and provide them with opportunities to expand their knowledge. Click on the photos below for more information about our participants
COHORT 1 STUDENTS
Ashley Adams is a graduate student in the Counseling Program at the University of North Texas. She received her BS in Developmental Psychology at Slippery Rock University in 2018. She is a student counseling intern at Cancer Care Services in Fort Worth, Texas. Ashley is a former member of the critical race research lab in the psychology department. She plans on pursuing a Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology and continuing to practice play therapy at nonprofit organizations.
Abigail Land is a graduate student in the Clinical Mental Health Counseling at the University of North Texas. She received her BS in Psychology at Evangel University in 2015. She is a student counseling intern at Alliance Child and Family Solutions in Fort Worth, Texas. She plans to work in individual counseling with underserved adolescents in the DFW community.
Celeste Johnson-Bickham is a graduate student in the Rehabilitation Counseling program at the University of North Texas. Celeste was inducted as a member of Chi Sigma Iota, Counseling Academic and Professional International Honor Society in 2020 as a member of the UNT CSI Rho Kappa Chapter.
Mrs. Bickham graduated with a BA in Psychology, Cum Laude, from Texas Southern University in 2001 where she minored in Community & Economic Development. At that time, she was inducted as a member of Golden Key National Honor Society. In addition, Celeste completed 2 years of graduate studies in Clinical Psychology, also from Texas Southern University in 2003. In 2005, she paused her studies to start a family. Mrs. Bickham enjoyed studying Psychology as a senior in high school as she thoroughly enjoys the study of mental health and helping others. For over 20 years, she has devoted her career to outpatient and inpatient mental health, crisis counseling, employment counseling, and Vocational Rehabilitation. In her spare time, she enjoys volunteering with the TSU College of Liberal Arts and Behavioral Sciences alumni chapter where she previously held the office of Financial Secretary, the Houston and Southeast Texas Alzheimer's Association as a Faith Representative, various local civil rights organizations, and as a parent advisor to her son's Boy Scout Troop 1852.
Mrs. Bickham is currently a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor-II working with Texans with disabilities assisting her customers with securing gainful employment and education. She credits her success and commitment to the helping professions because of the level of preparation and advising that was extended to her by such exceptional professors at TSU and UNT.
Christa Greenlee is a graduate student in the Clinical Mental Health Counseling Program at the University of North Texas. She received her BS in Counseling Psychology from Southwestern Assemblies of God University in 2019. She is a student counseling intern at Denton County Friends of the Family in Corinth, Texas. After graduation, she plans to continue working with survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault in the Dallas/Fort Worth area.
Esther Smith is a graduate student in the Clinical Mental Health Counseling Program at the University of North Texas. She received her BS in Psychology from Angelo State University in 2002. She is a student counseling intern at UNT’s Child and Family Resource Clinic in Denton, Texas. Prior to beginning her graduate studies, Esther spent over a decade working in the mental health field serving mrginalized populations in our own community, as well as border town communities. She is currently a member of Chi Sigma Iota (CSI) Counseling Academic & Professional Honor Society, Texas Counseling Association, and has completed Level 1 Training in Couples Therapy through The Gottman Institute. After graduation, she plans to work with adults and children that have experienced trauma.
Ginny Brundeen is a graduate student in the joint Master of Social Work program at UNT and TWU. She received her BA in Electronic Media and Communications from Texas Tech in 2017. She is an Americorps Member with Communities in Schools of North Texas, serving at Borman Elementary in Denton, Texas. Ginny is the president of the Student Association of Masters in Social Work. She plans to work with at-risk adolescents in a juvenile detention facility.
Grace Flink is a graduate student in the Clinical Mental Health Counseling program at the University of North Texas. She received her BA in Psychology at Elon University in 2019. She is a counseling intern in the child and adolescent department at Denton County Friends of the Family in Corinth, Texas. Grace is also a member of the Rho Kappa chapter of Chi Sigma Iota. After graduation Grace hopes to continue working with children and adolescents impacted by trauma.
Grace O’Donnell is a graduate student in the Counseling Program at the University of North Texas. She received her BA in Russian Studies from Skidmore College in 1996. Grace is a student counseling intern at The Gracious Mind Counseling and Wellness center in Denton, Texas. Grace worked for many years in nonprofit management, both in the US and abroad. Her experiences as a single parent, military spouse, and expatriate, have increased her awareness of the need for improved access to health care - including mental health care - for people across a range of socioeconomic statuses and identities. She plans to provide therapy for people working to recover from trauma.
Joanna McFarling is a graduate student in the School Counseling Program at the University of North Texas. She earned her BS in Psychology from the Louisiana Scholars’ College at Northwestern State University in Natchiotches, Louisiana in 2015. She is a student counseling intern at Town Center Elementary in Coppell, Texas and at Denton ISD in Denton, Texas. Joanna is currently a 3rd grade teacher and aspires to provide continual social-emotional support to students. She plans to work as a school counselor after she graduates. She believes that school counselors have ample opportunities to provide children and families with mental health support as many are unable to access outside counseling or simply do not know about the resources available to them.
Kimberly Frye is a graduate student in the Clinical Mental Health Counseling Program at the University of North Texas. She received her BS in Integrative Studies from UNT in 2016 with focuses in psychology, art, and hospitality management.
Kimberly is a student counseling intern at Denton County Friends of the Family in Corinth, Texas where she works with adults and children affected by domestic violence and sexual assault. Although, her chosen course track is primarily adults, after graduation Kimberly plans to work with clients across the lifespan, particularly those who have experienced trauma. In addition to working with trauma survivors, Kimberly strives to provide culturally responsive counseling and mental health resources to underserved communities.
Keaton Hare is currently a graduate student in the Joint Master of Social Work Program at the University of North Texas and Texas Woman's University. They graduated magna cum laude with their bachelor's degree in Social Work and a Peace Corps Prep Certificate from the University of North Texas in the spring of 2021. In undergrad, they were involved on campus through serving on the Student Government Association as a Senator and University of North Texas College Democrats President. At present, she is a student intern in the Denton County Friends of the Family, Domestic Violence agency working in Transitional Housing and Emergency Shelter in Denton, Texas. They also had the pleasure of being a student intern at City House Inc, a youth homeless shelter and transitional housing program, during their undergraduate degree that solidified their passion for working with unhoused populations. They currently work at the United Way of Denton County as a Housing Navigator centralizing communication between landlords and housing service agencies in the community. After graduation, Keaton plans to get their social work licensure and continue to pursue a career advocating for people in their community, whether they be unhoused, a minority, a part of the LGBTQIA+ community, an immigrant, a victim of sexual abuse, or human trafficking, or any race, gender, or class.
Lauren Helton is a graduate student in the Rehabilitation Counseling Program at the University of North Texas. She received her BS in Rehabilitation Studies with a minor in Human Development Family Services from UNT in 2019. She is a student counselor at Nexus Recovery Center in Dallas, Texas. She is currently a counseling intern and sees process groups and individual counseling sessions with clients in the detox dorm on site. She hopes to continue work at Nexus Recovery Center for adult women in Dallas and complete her clinical hours towards her LPC.
Lydia Pluscht is currently a graduate student in the Joint Master of Social Work Program at the University of North Texas and Texas Woman's University. She graduated summa cum laude with her Bachelor’s degree in Social Work and a minor in Criminal Justice from the University of North Texas in the spring of 2021. At present, she is a student intern in the Family Violence Unit at the Denton County Criminal District Attorney’s Office in Denton, Texas and is passionate about working with survivors of domestic and sexual violence. She has a diverse background of volunteer experiences which have shown her the need for multidisciplinary support and care for vulnerable populations in her community. After graduation, Lydia plans to pursue a clinical license in social work and hopes to find a position within the area of domestic violence and human trafficking. Through her internship and personal experience, she has developed an affinity for this population and enjoys working in the intersection of social work and the legal system. She also intends to seek out new volunteer opportunities throughout her professional career to nurture her competing population interests.
Michael Council is a graduate student in the Masters of Science Rehabilitation Counseling Program at The University of North Texas. He graduated with a Bachelors of Science in Rehabilitation Studies from The University of North Texas in 2015. Michael is currently interning through the UNT Well Clinic and the Collegiate Recovery Program within the Substance Use Resource and Education (S.U.R.E.) Center at UNT. He has experience working with adult individuals with complex mental health diagnosis and cognitive disabilities as a previous Adult Mental Health Case Manager through Denton MHMR.
Michael has also gained experience working with individuals with substance use disorder as a Behavioral Health Technician in a Residential Treatment Program that integrated mental health and substance use as the primary form of treatment. Following graduation, Michael would like to work with adults and adolescents who have co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders because of the experience he has gained through his employment opportunities. Michael will pursue the steps to become a fully Licensed Professional Counselor.
Mary Gasway has worked for 13 years in higher education with the adolescent population. During her undergrad studies, she worked under the supervision of Dr. Jenkins on her research scoring team. She is a member of Alpha Iota Sigma and Psi Chi honor society. Her goal is to run a private practice, LPC, helping youths transition from school to work. She is very passionate about mental health and her population of choice.
Megan Prahl is a graduate student in the Joint Master’s of Social Work Program at the University of North Texas and Texas Woman’s University. Megan received her BS in Human Development and Family Science from UNT in 2019. Megan is currently a Master’s level student intern at Carrollton Springs Behavioral Hospital located in Carrollton, TX. Megan has many interests within the field of social work - particularly within child welfare, human trafficking, domestic violence, and medical social work. Upon graduation, she is planning to start her career in child welfare. Megan sees the need for social workers to assist vulnerable children who have experienced trauma during childhood and help them with their transition into adulthood. Megan plans to pursue her clinical license following being licensed at the Master’s level.
Nekiya Jackson is a graduate student in the Counseling Program at the University of North Texas. She received her BA in Converged Broadcast Media and a Minor in Counseling from UNT in 2019. She is a Master's Level intern at the Child and Family Resource Clinic located on UNT's campus. Nekiya is a graduate assistant in the Housing and Residence Life Department where she serves as an Assistant Community Director at Joe Greene Hall.
Nekiya is also a member of the Rho Kappa chapter of Chi Sigma Iota and is also a co-founder of a new organization on campus named The Coalition of Black Counselors. Nekiya co-founded this organization alongside her peers within the Counseling Program to advocate for making mental services more accessible to the Black community and work to erase the stigma of mental health in the Black community. She plans to continue counseling adults, couples and college students and also provide accessible and culturally responsive counseling services to minority and underserved communities.
Paulina Sanchez Solomon is a graduate student in the Clinical Mental Health Counseling Program at the University of North Texas. She received her BS in Biology from Abilene Christian University in 2017. She is a student counseling intern at Denton County Friends of the Family in Corinth, Texas as well as a student counseling intern at the UNT Center for Play Therapy in Denton, Texas. Paulina is currently a member of Chi Sigma Iota Counseling Academic & Professional Honor Society, and she serves as the Communications Officer in the UNT Chapter of Counselors for Social Justice organization. Paulina plans to work with children and adolescents that have experienced trauma. She hopes to pursue a PhD in Counseling Psychology in the future.
Theresa Tran is a graduate student in the Counseling Program at the University of North Texas. She received her BS in Human Development and Family Science from UNT in 2019. She is a student counseling intern at Alliance Child and Family Solutions as well as The Parenting Center in Fort Worth, Texas. Theresa has a passion for working with children and plans to continue her work in non-profit upon graduation. She hopes to work with children and individuals who have experienced trauma, have learning differences or developmental disabilities, anxiety, and with underserved populations in the DFW community after graduation.
Sabrina Nentwich is a graduate student in the Counseling Program at the University of North Texas. She received her BA in Psychology and Sociology with a minor in Economics from Texas A&M University in 2019. She is a student counseling intern at Denton County Friends of the Family in Corinth, Texas and at Cancer Care Services in Fort Worth, Texas. Sabrina is a member of the Country Western Dance Club at the University of North Texas. After graduation, Sabrina plans to work in a community agency providing play therapy for children who have experienced trauma and abuse.