Amanda Cortez, LCSW
Wylie Assistant Clinical Director
Background and Experience
Amanda has worked with both children and adults facing a variety of issues. She has worked in medical hospitals in the Dallas area and has experience in the areas of chronic, and permanent illness and injury, caregiver stress, grief and trauma, child and elder abuse and neglect, domestic violence, mental health disorders, stressful life events, and parenting and family issues. Amanda will work with each client to determine the best counseling approach for their unique needs, including play and activity therapy for younger clients.
Personal Statement
As a social worker, I enjoy helping others cope with whatever challenges they face. From my social work experience, I found that counseling provides a way for me to assist people work through difficult life situations and then grow as a result. Through counseling we will work together to discover your unique strengths. Building on those strengths, we will find solutions and strategies to help you navigate life’s challenges.
Education and Training
Amanda earned her Bachelor of Social Work degree from St. Louis University in St. Louis, Missouri. She completed her Master of Social Work at the University of Houston, in Houston, Texas. Amanda has been with Counseling Center of North Texas since 2013. She gained her clinical experience through her work in hospitals in the Dallas area.
Schedule
Amanda is in the office Monday through Thursday
Fees
Session fees start at $200
Insurance
Amanda accepts Aetna, Baylor Scott & White, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Crime Victim's Compensation, Medicare, and United Health Care.
License #: 34859
To schedule with Amanda or any of our other therapists, call us today at 469-342-3468!
Wylie and Virtual Therapist Amanda Cortez, LCSW
Kara Talton, LCSW
Plano Assistant Clinical Director
Background and Experience
Kara works with pre-teens, adolescents, adults, and families. She has worked in psychiatric hospitals in the Dallas area, as well as in Arizona. Most of her experience is in the areas of abuse and trauma, addiction recovery, forensic/legal issues, inappropriate boundaries, stressful life events, and mental health disorders. Kara also enjoys working with people struggling with depression, anxiety, personality disorders and domestic violence issues, as well as any individual who wants to process life changes or focus on personal growth. Kara will work to develop an individualized treatment approach to determine the needs of each unique individual.
Personal Statement
I knew from a young age I wanted to be in a helping profession. Studying psychology, it didn't take long to realize I wanted to provide individual therapy to clients. I offer a strengths-based, solution-focused perspective, meeting the client where they are at and building on the innate strengths each individual has; however, I also believe in developing a treatment plan that is going to be effective in making clients feel empowered in this journey. I have a strong passion for what I do and aim to create a safe environment that will encourage healing, accountability, and the ability to overcome life's struggles. I am a cognitive behavioral therapist, but believe that each client brings unique life experiences to the counseling relationship and will adapt treatment as needed. I am passionate about teens and young adults and enjoy partnering with them and their families to help find purpose and hope as they launch into adulthood.
Education and Training
Kara earned her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Quinnipiac University in Hamden, Connecticut. In 2007, she earned her Master of Social Work from Arizona State University. Kara has gained her clinical experience working in a residential treatment center for troubled youth, an outpatient clinic for youth and adults involved in the legal system, a school, various psychiatric hospitals, and a drug and alcohol addiction court-ordered program as an intensive outpatient clinician. She has experience providing therapy to children, adolescents, and adults in individual, family, and group settings.
Schedule
Kara is in the Wylie office Wednesdays and in the Plano office Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays
Fees
Session fees start at $225
Insurance
Kara is an in-network provider with Aetna, Baylor Scott & White, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna, Medicare, and United Healthcare.
License #: 60366
To schedule with Kara or any of our other therapists, call us today at 469-342-3468!
Plano and Virtual Therapist Kara Talton, LCSW