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 Adults and Adolescents
• Sexual Abuse Recovery
• School Difficulties
• Parenting Skills Training
• Mood Disorders (including Depression and Bipolar Disorder)
• Anxiety Disorders (including Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, Panic Disorder, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, Social Anxiety Disorder)
• Anger Management
• Skills Training in a variety of areas (communication, coping, resiliency, etc.)
• Improving Self-Esteem
• Healthy Relationships and Social Issues (including building and maintaining effective, healthy relationships and resisting peer pressure)
• Clinical Hypnosis

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, MS, LMFT, LCDC

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:

• Family therapy
• Individual Therapy with Adults and Adolescents
• Play therapy
• Parenting Skills Training
• Mood Disorders (including Depression and Bipolar Disorder)
• Anxiety Disorders (including Posttraumatic Stress Disorder)
• Trauma and Abuse Resolution
• Crisis Management
• Anger Management
• Improving Self-Esteem
• Relationship Issues
• Social skills training
• Substance abuse recovery

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, R.P.T.

Joanne is now 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:

• Child Psychology
• Parenting Issues
• Abuse Issues in both Women and Children
• Depression and Anxiety Disorders
• Anger Management
• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
• Grief and Loss Issues
• Stress Management

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

Jenifer Ware, M.S.Ed., L.P.C.

Possessing a warm and genuine persona, Jenifer Ware is a talented, insightful therapist with individuals of all ages. Highly skilled in a variety of therapeutic formats including marital therapy, individual therapy for adults, adolescents and children, diagnostics crisis intervention, and anger management, Jenifer is a creative and innovative therapist. She has developed and leads our outstanding social skills classes for children and teens.

In addition, she works with Dr. Sylvia Gearing in the Empowered Child and Teen program. Together they team to teach parents and kids the fundamental skills of effective coping, creating high self-esteem and emotional management.

Specializations In:

• Play Therapy (with Children)
• Individual Therapy with Adults and Adolescents
• Couples Therapy
• Grief and Loss
• Abuse and Trauma Recovery
• Divorce Reactions in Children and Adolescents
• Self-Esteem and Body Image
• Parenting Skills
• Empowered Child Program (with Dr. Sylvia Gearing -- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Teaching Coping Skills and Stress Prevention Skills to Children, Teens, and Parents)
• Healthy Relationships, Boundaries, and Communication
• Anxiety Disorders (including Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, Generalized Anxiety Disorder, and Social Anxiety)
• Mood Disorders (including Depression and Bipolar Disorders
• Hypnotherapy
• School Phobias
• Marital Issues
• Increasing Self-Efficacy and Self-Esteem in Children, Teens and Adults
• social skills classes for children and teens with developmental delays, such as Asperger’s Disorder

The following points illustrate Jenifer's unsurpassed record in the counseling field:

• B.A. Baylor University, Psychology
• M.S.Ed. Baylor University, Master of Science in Educational Psychology
• Completing Ph.D. in Counseling from University of North Texas
• Licensed Professional Counselor
• Licensed Member of the Texas State Board of Examiners of Professional Counselors
• Grief and Loss Specialist
• Member of Association of Play Therapy
• Member of Autism Society of America
• Member of Autism Society of Collin County

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

Melissa is now the Clinical Supervisor of Gearing Up's Adolescent and Adult Practice

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):

• Family Issues
• Abuse Issues
• Adolescent Issues
• Adult Issues
• Abandonment Issues
• Sexual Assault
• Family Communication
• Anxiety Disorders
• Mood Disorders (including Depression)

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