LGBTQ Counseling in Katy
What is LGBTQ counseling + faith?
This is a unique offering for those individuals who find themselves struggling with their feelings of same-sex attraction or gender dysphoria and their Christian faith. This type of therapy is for groups of people who feel that their feelings of attraction to the same-sex and/or their feelings of gender dysmorphia cause stress for them because they feel they are not congruent with their spiritual beliefs.
Our approach
We acknowledge this is a unique struggle.
You may feel isolated because you are in the tension between what you feel are your attractions or gender and what you feel your Christian faith requires of you. That is okay. We are passionate about navigating this unique terrain with you.
We work to create a safe/nonjudgmental space.
We are committed to holding space for you as you navigate your deeply personal and often painful experiences with clarity and self-compassion
We believe every person deserves the freedom to determine their path forward.
You are the most equipped to decide how you will live out your future feelings and convictions, so we are committed to hold space for clients to process their feelings, values, and experiences without imposing a specific outcome.
Key Areas of Exploration
- Processing Personal Values – Helping clients reflect on their faith, beliefs, and the weight of different values in their lives.
- Navigating Relationship Conflict – Exploring fears of rejection, past experiences of exclusion, and concerns about community or family responses.
- Understanding Identity Development – Using Mark Yarhouse’s framework to assess where clients are in their journey of identity development
- Religious and Theological Influences – Building a history of clients’ religious experiences and how these shape their views on sexuality and gender.
- Finding Cohesion – Supporting clients in working toward a sense of congruence between their faith and identity, recognizing that this looks different for everyone.
What to expect during LGBTQ counseling
- Sessions will be client-led, allowing space for honest exploration and self-reflection.
- We will explore personal history, faith influences, and identity development at a pace that feels safe.
- We will help clients process the emotional, relational, and spiritual challenges they face.
Our Commitment to a Nonjudgmental, Client-Centered Approach
- We do not impose a specific belief or outcome but instead empower clients to determine what congruence means for them.
- We believe clients should have autonomy over their own faith, identity, and how they choose to live them out.
- We work to balance deep respect for faith with an affirming approach to personal identity development.
Meet OuR Therapists
MARISA COCKRELL, MA, LPC - FOUNDER
I am passionate about working with individuals and couples, teens and adults who find themselves struggling with anxiety, depression, grief, and their sexuality or gender. I work to create an environment of connection and care, without judgement, where clients can come to a better understanding of themselves and how they relate to others. I believe the therapist and client work together as a team to find and process ways to better cope with the pain in one’s life.
I hold a Masters in Biblical Counseling from Dallas Theological Seminary. I am EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) trained. I am certified as a facilitator with Prepare and Enrich and I am certified in Restoration Therapy, Level 1. I also have extensive training under Dr. Mark Yarhouse in navigating sexual and gender identity for people of faith and extensive training in Narrative theory work with Dan Allender.
Together, we will explore and address current concerns, as well as work to discover how the coping skills client’s have developed since childhood are causing stumbling blocks for them today.
HALLIE NICHOLLS, MA, LPC - ASSOCIATE
I am a Licensed Professional Counselor Associate under the supervision of Lynn Strom MA, LPC-S. I have a MA in Clinical Mental Health from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. I aim to provide an evidence-based, spiritually integrated, and relational approach to holistic healing.
I am open to seeing a variety of clients from pre-teens to adults, struggling with the presenting problems of anxiety, depression, relational concerns, attachment issues, grief, and spiritual trauma.
I have experienced first-hand, the profound benefits of personal therapy and believe that healing happens in the relationship built through mutual respect, trust, and a common goal. I believe there’s not much more transformative than having someone wholeheartedly on your team.
I am trained in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Solutions Focused Therapy, and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing. Every person is unique in their personality and experiences, and I hope to meet my clients where they are, using a combination of styles that works best for them. I have an eclectic approach incorporating skill building and meaningful attachment work. I especially enjoy using EMDR with clients with trauma symptoms.
It is an honor to walk with clients as they process difficult parts of their story, learn to see life through the lens of hope and possibility. I hope to be a safe and encouraging teammate to my clients as they experience relief and forward movement towards healing.
I can’t wait to be on your team!
ELIZABETH WESTBROOK, LMSW, NPT-C
My heart lies with the shame-filled and brokenhearted, the busy professional who is wearing too many hats and unsure where to set boundaries, the family that is hurting, and those wounded by religion or the opinions of others. I have a primary focus in working with those who are part of both the LGBTQ+ and faith-based communities, individuals navigating sexual, betrayal, and other traumas, blended families, and the uncertain client who has found themselves questioning who they are and who they want to be.
I am an Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART) trained practitioner, providing support for clients who have experienced significant trauma.
I am an LMSW, under supervision of Cindy Reibenstein, LCSW-S. I received my Masters in Social Work from The University of Houston. While there, I was a Fellow in Advanced Mental Health Practices and Integrated Healthcare. As a LMSW, my commitment to my clients is so much more than what happens in our session. My desire is to empower you with community resources, access to a wide range of support, and a commitment to providing a space free of judgement or imposing beliefs.
The road to healing is not linear and not done well in isolation. My deepest desire as a psychotherapist is to help you discover what you value, make sense of who the world says you need to be, create an environment where you come to believe that you’re never a sum of the worst things that have been done to, or by you. You, reading this right now, are so worth loving, and I can not wait to meet you.
ABIGAIL FONTENOT, MA, LPC - ASSOCIATE
I believe that everyone has a unique, intricate and beautiful story that is waiting to be told. There are times when we just need a safe place that provides opportunities to understand the complexities, and experiences within our lives. Counseling can be that place! I enjoy working with people across the lifespan including early adolescence, teens and adults. My heart is with those suffering from the effects of traumatic experiences, struggling in relationships, dealing with depression, anxiety or disordered eating and those navigating sexual issues. Each one of us longs for wholeness, to be known and to find peace. Perhaps it’s in your current stress, unhelpful thoughts, or confusing feelings. Life contains an array of experiences which shape who we are. It can be overwhelming to make connections and find healthy rhythms for ourselves. If you are seeking healing for yourself through counseling, that is a courageous first step! Healing can happen when we take time to understand to our stories. I consider it an honor to sit with people as they learn to fully pay attention to themselves and honor their lives.
I employ counseling techniques from a biblically integrated perspective using approaches from person-centered therapy, existential therapy, and restoration therapy. I believe that the counseling relationship is essential to the therapeutic process. Walking alongside clients through their pain, and questioning is a privilege for me. I view my role to be partnering with clients on their healing journey and finding ways to encourage and facilitate personal growth. Allowing someone to weed through the brokenness with you is a commendable thing that is not to be taken lightly. I believe that learning to live life with God is what is most transformational. He is the source of contentment, comfort and light. Holding the hope that only He offers is what I love to do for clients who are seeking to take hold of that hope for themselves.
I hold a masters degree from Dallas Theological Seminary, and I am an LPC-Associate under supervision of Pam Cosart, LPC-S.
– photos by Barbara Z, Naranja Dulce Photography