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Counseling Program

About the Counseling Program

TEEX’s Public Safety Wellness and Counseling Program, based in College Station, provides public safety professionals with professional, confidential mental health counseling using evidence-based practices to enhance overall well-being and resilience.

What We Offer

The program offers both in-person and virtual counseling options to ensure accessible support for those serving across Texas. In addition to direct counseling services, licensed clinicians within the program provide training and consultation to other mental health professionals, equipping them to deliver culturally competent, trauma-informed care to those who serve in public safety roles.

Counseling Services

To qualify for no-cost counseling, individuals must experience one or more barriers, such as difficulty finding clinician’s familiar with first responder issues, financial constraints, scheduling challenges due to shift work, or reluctance to seek workplace mental health resources due to stigma.

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Internships

The Public Safety Wellness training program offers a graduate-level internship for master’s students in counseling and related mental health fields. Through hands-on experience and clinical supervision, interns gain specialized skills in supporting public safety professionals and responding effectively to trauma.

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Our Counselors and Interns

Meet Our Counselors

Alisa McDonald

Program Director, LPC-S

Alisa McDonald

Program Director, LPC-S

Prior to joining TEEX, Alisa served in leadership and clinical roles with the Texas Department of Public Safety Victim & Employee Support Services, where she supported personnel affected by critical incidents including the Santa Fe School Shooting, El Paso Walmart Shooting, Midland-Odessa Mass Shooting, and White Settlement Church Shooting. She is a Licensed Professional Counselor Supervisor (LPC-S) and holds certifications in trauma treatment, grief counseling, dialectical behavior therapy, Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART), IASIS microcurrent neurofeedback, and EMDR. Alisa earned her Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice and Master of Arts in Counseling from Sam Houston State University.

Dan Cohen

MS, LPC-Associate, LP

Dan Cohen

MS, LPC-Associate, LP

Dan Cohen, MS, LPC-A, LP (under supervision of Alisa McDonald, LPC-S) recently retired after working with Williamson County EMS in central Texas for nearly 21 years where he served in the field and later as a Clinical Captain and administrator. His ongoing desire to improve the mental health of his peers has led to a new career. Dan now provides education and counseling services to first responders and healthcare providers through the PATCH program at UT Health Houston along with serving clients through TEEX. He hopes the counseling work and EMS-specific research will enrich the lives of all first responders. He holds a Bachelor of Journalism from the University of Texas at Austin and a Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center.

Dawn Ament

M.Ed., LPC

Dawn Ament

M.Ed., LPC

Dawn Ament, M.Ed., LPC, specializes in first responders, veterans, and those struggling with PTSD, anxiety, phobias, OCD, life transitions, and relationships. Master Certified in Accelerated Resolution Therapy and EMDR trained, she works with clients to release emotions tied to traumatic events, disturbing images, and negative beliefs to shift behaviors and ways of thinking, find positive coping skills, gain relief, and calm the nervous system. She loves helping first responders gain new perspectives on how the job often comes home with them in ways they may not understand and working with them to improve their quality of life. Dawn is the wife of a USMC veteran, a member of CSPD Citizen’s Police Academy Alumni Association, and CSFD Citizen’s Fire Academy Alumni Association where she is on the REHAB team. She is the owner of her private practice, Freedom Therapy, PLLC. Dawn received her undergraduate degree in journalism from Texas A&M University, holds an M.Ed. in counseling and development from Lamar University, and is working on her doctorate in trauma counseling from Liberty University.

Christopher Loup

LPC

Christopher Loup

LPC

Christopher Loup is a Licensed Professional Counselor who specializes in trauma, depression, and anxiety. Before becoming a therapist, Christopher worked for 20 years for the Bryan Police Department. The last 13 years with the department was held as an investigator in the Crimes Against Persons Unit, where he specialized in Crimes Against Children. He fully understands the impact the job can have on a person. Christopher is Advanced trained in Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART) which is touted as one of the quickest ways to resolve trauma. There is no need for a deep dive into details while using ART, as long as the client can picture the event or feel the strong emotions which are tied to the event. This is very helpful for first responders, especially for those work-related calls that seem to stick around in our brain. There is no need to carry those past calls with you forever (shootings, deaths of young children). It also works with smells! (decaying dead bodies, blood, autopsies, etc.). Christopher also uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to help with anxiety, depression, and behaviors. CBT works great to help reduce that keyed up feeling that first responders often experience while they are trying to relax at home.

Michelle Morris

LPC-S, NCC

Michelle Morris

LPC-S, NCC

Michelle Morris is a Licensed Professional Counselor Supervisor (LPC-S) and National Certified Counselor (NCC) with more than 20 years of experience working collaboratively with first responders and individuals impacted by trauma across a variety of settings. Her background includes work with individuals experiencing homelessness, offenders with substance use concerns, and victims of domestic violence and other violent crimes. She also helped establish and develop the Victim Services Program at the Texas A&M University Police Department before continuing her work with the university population at Texas A&M for many years. In addition to trauma-related work, Michelle has experience supporting individuals with grief, relationship concerns, depression, anxiety, substance use concerns and more. At TEEX, she provides support to first responders, with a strong passion for trauma work and helping individuals process and navigate complex trauma. She strives to create a supportive, non-judgmental environment while equipping clients with the skills needed to move toward healing and relief. Michelle earned a Master of Arts in Counseling from Sam Houston State University and a Bachelor of Arts in Counseling Studies from York St John’s College, Leeds University.

Victoria Otto

LPC Associate

Victoria Otto

LPC Associate

Victoria Otto, MA, LPC Associate (under the supervision of Cameron L. House, MEd, LPC-S), works with individuals experiencing anxiety, stress, trauma, relationship challenges, and life transitions. She is passionate about helping people who are accustomed to being the strong one for everyone else and often neglect their own emotional well-being while caring for others.

As an adoptive mother, business owner, counselor, and graduate of the College Station Police Department Citizen’s Police Academy, Victoria brings both professional and personal experience supporting individuals through difficult circumstances, uncertainty, and change. She is honored to support first responders and their families through the TEEX program and appreciates the unique challenges that can arise when balancing demanding responsibilities at work and at home.

Victoria utilizes Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Solution-Focused Therapy, and trauma-informed interventions to help clients better understand their responses to stress, develop healthy coping skills, strengthen relationships, and improve their overall quality of life. She enjoys helping clients gain insight into the ways chronic stress, life experiences, and significant responsibilities can affect both personal and professional functioning.

Victoria earned her Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Texas State University and her Master of Arts in Counseling from Dallas Theological Seminary.

Meet Our Interns

Ashley Arredondo

Intern

Ashley Arredondo is a former dispatcher who brings valuable firsthand experience working in high-stress, crisis-driven environments. Her professional background has given her a deep understanding of the unique challenges faced by first responders, as well as individuals navigating trauma and significant life stressors. Ashley’s work has been rooted in supporting resilience, emotional wellness, and personal growth across diverse populations.

Ashley has experience working with individuals impacted by stress, anxiety, burnout, and life transitions, with a particular passion for supporting those in helping professions. Drawing from both her training and background in public safety, she understands the complexities of trauma exposure and the importance of practical, effective coping strategies.

In her current role in training and development within public safety wellness, Ashley is dedicated to equipping individuals with the knowledge and skills needed to manage stress, build resilience, and enhance overall well-being. She values a collaborative and client-centered approach, creating a supportive environment where individuals feel heard, respected, and empowered.

Ashley is committed to helping others navigate challenges, process difficult experiences, and move toward meaningful healing and growth.

Resources

Support That Saves Flyer
Mental Health Support Reference

Contact Us

Public Safety Wellness

To bring the course to your agency or department, reach out to Alisa McDonald and her team.

[email protected]

On This Page

About the Counseling Program
What We Offer
Our Counselors and Interns
Resources
Contact Us

On This Page

About the Counseling Program
What We Offer
Our Counselors and Interns
Resources
Contact Us