Cathy Woodyard
Personally
Energetic, creative, caring — all are words to describe Cathy, founder of A Sheltering Tree. Nothing brings her more joy or life than creating — whether that is a workshop, a page in her journal, a painting, or a new recipe. Cathy loves nature and travel and is always finding ways to combine the two on trips she plans for her and her husband. She has a strong, life-long connection to trees (her mother was an Oaks, she is a Wood Yard, and the beauty of changing leaves sends her soul soaring), so creating a healing place on Chestnut St. seems only natural.
Professionally
Cathy is a counselor and a teacher. She is a Licensed Professional Counselor who has been in private practice in McKinney for over twenty years. As a teacher, she has taught on the high school, community college, and university levels and has led workshops and retreats throughout the United States.
Education
Cathy is a life-long learner, seeking new creative techniques to bring to her practice. Cathy received a BS and MS in English from West Texas State University. This prepared her for her years of teaching high school and college English. In 1987 she moved to Texas A&M–Commerce where she began her studies to become a counselor. She obtained a doctorate in counseling and became a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) and Licensed Professional Counselor-Supervisor (LPC-S). Cathy is not finished learning — she is currently in a psychodrama training group where she continues to learn new methods for working with clients.
Her Joys
Cathy has many joys, beginning with exploring Hawaii with Jim, being greeted by Scamper and Trixie, going on twice-yearly retreats with her group of “sisters,” conversations with long-time friends, capturing an experience in written words, reading a well-written book, catching sight of a soaring hawk, experiencing the holiness of life’s process, and sacred moments of silence. And many, many more . . .
Bill Nichols
Personally
Bill has been described as “laid back, calm, genuine, and easy to talk to.” He dresses very casually, and he explains, “When people come to see me for counseling, I want them to feel like they’re sitting at home in their living room visiting with a friend.”
When Bill was a kid, he dreamed of walking around town rescuing stray dogs. He wanted to give them a home – make them feel loved. He didn’t realize until later that his dream had been sparked because he, too, had looked for a safe home and had wanted to be loved. This became his purpose – to aid others in finding and fulfilling their own dreams. His own recovery journey started in 1988 when he was 19. Since that time, he has been challenged to deal with his own issues related to addictions, abuse, and abandonment. Using the Twelve Steps and his own therapy, he now lives a life he always hoped for.
Professionally
Bill’s dream led him to become a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and a Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor. He has had the opportunity to counsel in many settings and various populations. He began by working at an inpatient psychiatric hospital for seven years; there, he started their first intensive out-patient program. He also worked in a residential treatment center for adolescents and young adults for six years; the last year and-a-half there, he served as the clinical director. Bill began doing private practice work in 1992, but it became his primary focus in 2007. Occasionally, Bill also co-leads workshops and retreats. Bill continues to seek out a strong professional network of other professionals who are committed to working on their own issues just as he is. He enjoys working with, referring to, and learning from professionals whose work reflects their own personal growth and maturity.
Education
Bill is a student – always eager to learn new methods of healing. He received his Certified Alcohol and Drug Counseling Certificate (CADAC) in 1989 and became a Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor (LCDC) in 1990. He received his Bachelors of Social Work in 1997 and his Master’s in Social Work in 1999. Strongly influenced by working on treatment teams with excellent psychiatrists, psychologists, counselors, nurses, and social workers, Bill also seeks out wisdom from many different individuals and clients – regardless of their title or educational background.
Joys
“My first and foremost joy,” Bill states, “is my family.” Married to Denise for almost 20 years, Bill and Denise have two children, Andrew and Mariah. Most of Bill’s friends and family describe him as a big cut up who loves to pull jokes on them. A man who loves the outdoors, Bill loves playing and coaching sports, fishing, four-wheeling, swimming, and camping out. Outside of time with his family, Bill feels one of his greatest joys is “when someone honors me by letting me be a small part of their healing process. There is nothing more spiritual or holy than being present as someone faces and heals old wounds.”
Kimberlee Flatt
Personally
Kimberlee is often described as authentic and passionate. She describes herself as being both an artist and a scientist. In work and in play you will find her fueling her creative side with music and art and her analytical side with various research activities. Kimberlee is known for her passion for neurodiversity recognizing that we are all unique in the way we see the world. She fervently believes that every single one of us has something valuable to offer and contribute to the world around us. Her motivation and joy are found in loving her family and in the practice of her faith.
Professionally
Kimberlee has made it a priority to serve the autism community for the past 20 years. She holds licenses in Counseling and Applied Behavior Analysis and is committed to helping families navigate everyday challenges. She has a love for learning and teaching which is evident as she continues to teach at the university level and is an invited guest speaker at conferences and workshops throughout the United States. Whether she is working with persons with special needs, families of public servants, or people transitioning to new life phases, she seeks to help them find their own personal vision and take tangible steps towards their own personal goals.
Education
Kimberlee received her a Bachelor of Science in Applied Behavior Analysis from the University of North Texas. She began studying counseling at Amberton University where she received Masters Degrees in School and Professional Counseling. She then returned to the University of North Texas to continue her graduate studies becoming a Board Certified Behavior Analyst and then receiving her Ph.D. from the School of Educational Psychology where she studied Autism Intervention. Her research interest is related to the life experiences and learning of those with high functioning Autism differences.
Joys
Kimberlee believes in finding joy in everyday things from butterflies to thunderstorms. She pauses to find joy in both the quiet and the chaotic moments of motherhood. She finds joy in meeting strangers and connecting with old friends. She loves to study and learn new things about the world around her and also uncover new things within herself.
For an appointment or to speak with Kimberlee please email drflatt@optasia.com