Tara Cavanaugh, M.S., L.P.C.

A graduate of the highly prestigious Southern Methodist University counseling program, Tara Cavanaugh is a welcome addition to Gearing Up’s child and adolescent programs. After earning her B.S. in psychology from SMU, she was ranked first in her graduating class for her Master’s of Science in Counseling. With her strong academic background in child and adolescent counseling studies and with her extensive clinical experience, Tara has helped hundreds of children learn more effective ways of managing their emotions and behaviors. She works closely with parents in strengthening their bond with their children, in improving communication, disciplinary strategies and managing explosive, oppositional children and teens.

In 2009 to 2010, Tara served as the sole play therapist for twenty six elementary schools and mentored teachers and school counselors in the key methods and benefits of play therapy. She implemented therapeutic and behavioral programs serving at risk students and worked closely with the counselors and teachers in helping these children.

She was a facilitator and trainer for “Handprints on Hearts,” a district wide mentoring program for at risk students, teachers and school employees. She has experience in crisis intervention, suicide risk assessment and interfacing effectively with the schools and special education departments. Tara is an experienced presenter having lectured on topics related to suicide and depression, trauma and abuse and increasing creativity in children and teens.

Additional professional interests include marital counseling, adult and family counseling, social skills groups for children and working with Spectrum disorder children and teens.

Specializations In:

• Individual Therapy With Children (Play therapy)
• Individual Therapy with Adolescents
• Individual Therapy With Women & Men
• Marital and Family Therapy
• Mood Disorders
• Depression and Anxiety
• Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
• Relationship Issues
• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
• Spectrum Disorders (Autism and Asperger’s Syndrome)

Among Tara's many accomplishments are the following:

• B.S. in Psychology with Honors, Southern Methodist University
• Masters of Science in Counseling, Southern Methodist University
• Graduated Valedictorian (4.0 GPA) of SMU's class of 2009 in Master’s of Science in Counseling program
• Licensed Professional Counselor in Texas

Kelli Cook, M.A., L.P.C., L.C.D.C.

Kelli Cook joins Gearing Up Counseling after working for eight years in the mental health field. She has been a leader in outpatient clinics and inpatient settings and has helped thousands of clients improve their lives and self esteem. A graduate of North Texas State University’s acclaimed counseling program, Kelli has a wonderful ability to help each of her clients feel welcomed and understood. She believes in her client’s ability to achieve increased effectiveness in handling strong emotions and interpersonal relationships. She is an experienced professional in treating depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, social anxiety, trauma, and loss and grief.

Her professional background includes many years of working with adolescents and adults in addressing addictions and substance abuse issues. Kelli is gifted with both families and groups and is especially skilled in creating a comfortable, safe environment for each person to resolve difficult issues. A master at helping partners and families achieve compromise, more effective communication approaches, and realistic expectations, Kelli has a unique ability to create new hope and optimism in the lives of her clients.

Specializations In:

• Individual Therapy With Adolescents
• Individual Therapy With Women & Men
• Family Therapy
• Marital Therapy
• Group Therapy
• Trauma Conditions
• Addictions
• Substance Abuse Issues
• Grief and Loss
• Depression and Anxiety
• Bipolar I and II
• Relationship Issues
• Dialectical Behavioral Therapy
• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

Among Kelli's many accomplishments are the following:

• B.S. in the Science of Criminal Justice, the University of North Texas
• Masters of Education in Counseling, The University of North Texas
• Independent Study in Addictions
• Licensed Professional Counselor
• Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor

Andrea Cunningham, M.S., L.P.C.

Andrea Cunningham joined Gearing Up after achieving a distinguished resume in child and adolescent psychology, psychological testing, family therapy and women's issues. An extremely warm and engaging therapist, Andrea approaches all cases with enormous compassion and concern. Andrea is a member of our psychological assessment team led by Dr. Milt Gearing who oversees all psychological evaluations at Gearing Up.

Specializations in:

• Individual Therapy With Adolescents
• Individual Therapy With Men and Women
• Trauma Conditions
• Mood Disorders
• Depression and Anxiety
• Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
• Dialectical Behavioral Therapy
• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
• Marital Therapy and Relationship Issues
• Clinical Hypnosis
• Eating Disorders
• ADHD Assessments

Psychological Assessments in:

• Adult, Child and Adolescent Personality Testing
• Intellectual Assessments
• Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADD/ADHD) Testing

Among Andrea's many accomplishments are the following:

• B.A. in Psychology, University of Texas at Dallas
• Master of Science in Counseling Psychology, University of North Texas
• Licensed Professional Counselor
• Psychology Assistant, Dallas County Juvenile Department, Psychology Division
• Experienced in Intellectual Assessment, Child and Adolescent Personality Testing, MMPI-2, MMPI-A, Adult Personality Testing, Attention Deficit Disorder Assessments
• Expertise in play therapy, adolescent and family therapies, anger management, parenting, mood disorders, sexual abuse recovery, school difficulties, individual therapies with women

Lisa Godasi, M.S., L.M.F.T., L.C.D.C.

Lisa Godasi joined the Gearing Up team in 2010 upon moving to Dallas. She brings with her over thirteen years of experience working with adults, children, and teens in the states of Nevada and Colorado where she used her skills in a variety of settings, including the State of Nevada, Clark County Department of Family Services, and Pikes Peak Mental Health Center. An energetic and compassionate therapist, Lisa is focused on utilizing all members of a family to strengthen and rebuild their relationships.

Specializations In:

• Individual Therapy With Adolescents
• Individual Therapy With Women and Men
• Trauma Conditions
• Mood Disorders
• Depression and Anxiety
• Marriage and Relationships Issues
• Substance Abuse
• Dialectical Behavior Therapy
• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
• Family Therapy
• Clinical Hypnosis
• EMDR

Among Lisa's many accomplishments are the following:

• B.A. in Psychology, University of California, Santa Barbara
• Master of Science in Counseling, University of Nevada, Las Vegas
• Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist
• Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor
• Expertise in play therapy, adolescent, parenting, and family therapies
• Expertise in anger management, mood disorders, and trauma resolution
• Trained in use of EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing) for use in trauma and anxiety treatment
• Trained in use of DBT (Dialectical Behavioral Therapy) for treatment of severe mood and personality disorders

Joanne Grant, M.Ed. L.P.C.-S., R.P.T.

Joanne is the Clinical Supervisor of Gearing Up's Child and Pediatric Practice.

A talented and insightful professional counselor, Joanne Grant joined Gearing Up in 2005. An authoritative professional in child and adult counseling, Joanne now offers a multitude of services that have benefited hundreds of North Texans over the last ten years.

Specializations in:

• Individual therapy With Children
• Trauma Issues
• Play Therapy
• Activity Therapy
• Abuse and Domestic Violence
• Separation Anxiety In Children
• Grief and Loss
• Mood Disorders in Children
• Depression and Anxiety
• Parenting Issues

Her professional achievements include the following:

• B.A. in Psychology from the University of Pittsburgh
• Masters in Counselor Education from the University of North Texas
• Play therapy training from the University of North Texas which is the largest play therapy training facility in the world
• Genesis Women's Shelter Counselor
• Licensed Professional Counselor Supervisor
• Registered Play Therapist Certification from the Association of Play Therapy
• Member, The Association of Play Therapy
• Licensed by the Texas Board of Examiners of Professional Counselors

Sarah Griffin, M.S., L.P.C.

Sarah Griffin is a graduate of the prestigious counseling program at Texas Women’s University. After several years in the non-profit sector, she brings her extensive counseling experience to Gearing Up. Sarah is highly skilled in helping children, adolescents, and adults build new, emotionally resilient lives. She offers each of her clients a respectful, supportive therapeutic environment that allows them to regain emotional stability and build new self-confidence. She focuses on the client’s strengths while helping each person understand both the challenges and the solutions in their lives. Dedicated, thoughtful, and perceptive, Sarah works endlessly to ensure your counseling success and satisfaction.

Currently, her professional interests include trauma recovery, the treatment of mood disorders (e.g., depression, anxiety, bipolar disorders, etc.), the treatment of sexual abuse trauma, overcoming eating disorders, improving parenting skills, play therapy, and filial therapy.

Sarah has special rapport with people who have gone through difficult, emotionally challenging events. She is gifted in creating safety within the therapeutic environment and has significant empathy for children and adults who have been traumatized by events beyond their control. Sarah believes fervently that counseling can be a significant transformative experience in the lives of her clients who are seeking improvement. Talented in helping clients discover their own empowerment and emotional resilience, Sarah is an outstanding professional in the counseling field.

Specializations In:

• Individual Therapy With Children, Adolescents and Adults
• Filial Therapy
• Family Therapy
• Specialized Therapies for Eating Disorders
• Parenting Training
• Trauma Issues
• Grief and Loss
• Mood Disorders
• Depression and Anxiety
• Bipolar Disorder
• Dialectical Behavioral Therapy
• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

Among Sarah’s many accomplishments are the following:

• Bachelors of Science in Music Therapy, Texas Women’s University
• Masters of Science in Counseling and Development, Texas Women’s University
• Licensed Professional Counselor, Texas
• National Certified Counselor
• Member of Texas Counselors Association
• Member of American Counseling Association
• Member of Texas Women’s University Honor Society
• Member of Gold Key International Honor Society
• National Deans List
• Who’s Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges
• Mortar Board National Honor Society for College Seniors

Jamie Jaubert, M.A., L.P.C.

Jamie Jaubert is an experienced counselor who brings a wealth of clinical knowledge and expertise to the therapy room. Marital therapy, family therapy, and individual therapy with children, teens and adults are her professional interests. Jamie’s unlimited energy and enthusiasm for counseling allows her clients to progress quickly as they learn more effective ways of approaching problems and challenges. She helps her clients to restore an accurate perspective when they are overwhelmed, to tolerate stress more capably and to build an active, resilient approach to the future. She is supportive, compassionate and extremely perceptive with others which facilitates effective therapy.

She is a tireless advocate for children. Jamie joins us after many years of working in the Plano Schools as an parent educator and counselor where she has assisted countless children and families achieve improved functioning and effectiveness. She has worked at both the elementary and middle school levels. Jamie is certified in school counseling, in special education and in working with emotionally disturbed children. Since 2008, she has worked as a parent educator for Plano Independent School District as a “For Kids Sake” facilitator where she educates divorcing parents in the skills of parenting.

Jamie offers Gearing Up’s The Optimistic Child Program, in which she works with children and parents in mastering new coping skills and building resilience in children. Children learn new ways of moving past negativity which leads to improved self esteem, lower rates of depression, fewer behavioral problems and effectiveness in standing up to bullies.

Specializations In:

• Individual Therapy With Children, Teens and Adults
• Play Therapy
• The Optimistic Child Program
• Parenting Training
• Trauma Issues
• Grief and Loss
• Mood Disorders
• Depression and Anxiety
• Divorce Recovery
• Marital Therapy and Relationship Issues
• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
• Relationship Issues
• Eating Disorders
• Family Therapy

Among Jamie’s many accomplishments are the following:

• B.S. in Education specializing in Early Childhood Education, Texas State University, San Marcos, Texas
• Masters of Arts in Professional Counseling, specializing in Marriage and Family Therapy and School Counseling, Texas State University, San Marcos, Texas
• Certification in School Counseling
• Certification in Special Education and Emotionally Disturbed Children
• ROPES Instructor Certification
• Small Group Leader for Siblings of Special Needs Children, Christ United Methodist Church, Plano
• Licensed Professional Counselor
• Extensive professional experience in the educational environment

Trisha Mott, M.S., L.C.S.W.

Check back soon!

Stacey Shafenberg, M.S., P.A.

Stacey Shafenberg, M.S., P.A. joins our counseling team after a distinguished career as a psychological associate in a variety of clinical settings. Stacey is the recipient of a number of outstanding academic awards, has been honored several times as a presenter at the American Psychological Association Annual Meeting on her research and was a graduate teaching fellow in Developmental Psychology at The University of North Texas (please see below). She has been a professional at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center and completed her therapy practicum at the University of North Texas Psychology Clinic. Stacey joined Gearing Up with a special expertise in psychological assessment and neuropsychological evaluations. She has worked in elite practices and clinical settings in Texas and in Nebraska where she has performed hundreds of comprehensive evaluations of children, adolescents and adults.

At Gearing Up, Stacey combines a wonderful understanding of personality dynamics with a warm and engaging therapy presentation. Compassionate, well spoken and perceptive, she is an expert at pinpointing key clinical issues while coaching her clients to success. With her exceptional academic background Stacey is an expert in adult and adolescent psychology and she offers individual sessions and couples sessions utilizing a variety of evidence based approaches.

Psychotherapy specializations In:

• Individual Therapy With Adolescents
• Individual Therapy With Men and Women
• Trauma Conditions
• Grief and Loss
• Marital Therapy and Relationship Issues
• Mood Disorders
• Depression and Anxiety
• Dialectical Behavioral Therapy
• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
• Clinical Hypnosis
• Personality Testing and ADHD Testing

Psychological Assessments In:

• Personality Testing
• Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADD/ADHD)
• Learning Disabilities
• Educational Testing

Stacy's many accomplishments include the following:

• Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, The University of Nebraska
• Master of Science in Psychology, The University of North Texas
• Licensed Member of the Texas State Board of Examiners as a Psychological
• Presented at the American Psychological Association Annual Convention on her research in psychological testing
• Presented at the annual meeting of the Society for Personality Assessment
• Graduate Teaching Fellow, Developmental Psychology, The University of North Texas
• Psi Chi National Honor Society in Psychology

Melissa Woods, M.A., L.P.C.-S.

Melissa is the Clinical Supervisor of Gearing Up's Adolescent Services.

Highly accomplished counselor Melissa Woods joins Gearing Up with specialties in psychological testing and adolescent and adult therapies.

Fluent in Spanish and equipped with over ten years of experience, Melissa possesses a keen understanding of a variety of psychological disorders, treatments and therapies. As a forensic evaluator, she has evaluated hundreds of adolescents, adults and their families for court.

As an L.P.C. Supervisor, she has overseen countless other evaluations vital for the court. In addition, Melissa has spearheaded Family Training Programs, Anger Management Programs for individuals and families, and has conducted therapy and assessments in Spanish for many years.

Specializations In (both in English and Spanish):

• Individual Therapy With Adolescents
• Individual Therapy With Men and Women
• Trauma Conditions
• Mood Disorders
• Depression and Anxiety
• Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
• Dialectical Behavioral Therapy
• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
• Clinical Hypnosis
• ADHD Assessments
• Family Therapy
• Fluent In Spanish

Psychological Assessments In:

• Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADD/ADHD)
• Learning Disabilities
• Educational Testing

Melissa's many accomplishments include the following:

• B.A. in Psychology, with a Minor in Spanish, Baylor University
• Masters of Arts in Counseling, The University of North Texas
• Licensed Member of the Texas State Board of Examiners of Professional Counselors.
• Licensed Member of the Texas State Board of Examiners of Professional Counselors as an LPC Supervisor
• Dallas County Juvenile Department Employee of the Year--Psychological Services, 1999
• Dallas County Juvenile Department Employee of the Month, February 1999.
• Dallas County Juvenile Department--Psychology Division, Staff, 1997 to March 2007
• Early Childhood Intervention Therapy Group for Children (ages 3-12)
• Conducts Therapy and Assessments in Spanish
• Managed High Volume Referrals for Psychological Intervention in Psychological Department at the Dallas County Juvenile Department
• Clinical Supervisor for Interns Completing the Masters Degree at the University of North Texas and Southern Methodist University
• Clinical Supervisor of L.P.C. Interns