Brooklynn Sanders

Biography

Qualifications & Experience

I have a Bachelor’s degree in Social Work with a Minor in Diversity Studies and a Master’s degree in Social Work, both from University of Texas at Arlington. I am also trained in Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT), and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR).

With my social work background, I have worked in various child welfare roles. I worked with foster families, adoptive families, foster children and adoptees, special needs families, and at-risk youth in case management and advocate capacities. In my previous therapy roles, I specialized in treating at-risk teens and families who were experiencing significant conflict and behavioral challenges at home.

My Call to Christian Counseling

I have seen the transformative power of safe spaces and relationships to process life’s challenges. I have had a front-row seat to the child welfare world and have seen the need for good counselors to provide safe spaces and act as truth speakers for hurting families, and have felt called to become someone who can offer that space for others.

More About Me/On a Personal Note

I have a thirst for knowledge and consider myself to be a curious soul. I always have two or three books that I am in the middle of reading, both fiction and nonfiction. I love trying new restaurants (especially if chips and salsa are involved) and enjoy spending time at home with my husband and son.

Services and Specialities

Areas of Expertise/Specialties

• Abandonment and Neglect
• ADHD
• Anger Management
• Anxiety
• Autism
• Bipolar Disorder
• Coaching
• Counseling for Children
• Counseling for Teens
• Couples Counseling
• Codependency
• Depression
• EMDR
• Family Counseling
• Grief and Loss
• Group Counseling
• Individual Counseling
• Marriage Counseling
• Online Counseling
• Personal Development
• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
• Premarital Counseling
• Professional Development
• Relationship Issues
• Sex and Porn Addiction
• Sexual Abuse
• Spiritual Development
• Trauma
• Women’s Issues

Foster Care and Adoption

My experience in the child welfare world began when I was a bio child in a foster home. I have also had the privilege of working with foster and adoptive families for the entirety of my career. This world comes with unique challenges and heartaches that many can’t understand. Whether you are an adoptive parent struggling with your kiddo, a foster parent needing support, or a foster teen needing a space to process the junk that comes with the system, my goal is to be someone who can offer additional support for your journey. Utilizing attachment-based and trauma-informed modalities such as Trust Based Relational Intervention and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), our work together will focus on helping heal the hurts of your heart that this system may have caused.

Women’s Issues

As women, we juggle many roles, and we receive so many messages from the world about how we are “supposed to” fulfill them. It can be overwhelming to consider all the expectations and “shoulds” that the world puts on women. My goal is to help you untangle the web of mistruth that often coats the messages of the world as you discover and learn how to walk in truth and grace for yourself and others. It is my honor to prayerfully walk with you through the unique challenges that we face as women, from puberty, to trying to conceive, to postpartum, to parenting littles and teens, to menopause, and everything in between.

Premarital and Pre-Engagement Counseling

“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs” – 1 Corinthians 13:4-5

This is a pretty big standard to live up to when considering marriage. To embody the heart of this Scripture about love takes intentionality and effort. Premarital counseling is one of the best things you can do for your marriage. In premarital counseling, you will learn more about your partner’s needs and desires and how to be the spouse the Lord wants you to be. In these sessions, we’ll lay the foundation for strong communication and conflict resolution skills and identify areas where you and your partner may benefit from support to navigate tough topics. My goal is for you and your partner to walk away more equipped to enjoy a fruitful, long-lasting, and supportive marriage.

Depression and Anxiety

Depression and anxiety can feel incredibly isolating and overwhelming. They can impact our relationships and ability to participate in day-to-day life. Together we will explore the root of these feelings and discover ways to manage them when they become distressing. Using a variety of different techniques and modalities, we will address the symptoms of your anxiety and depression to improve your overall quality of life and daily functioning.

Counseling for Teens

During the teen years, the brain is going through some really big and important changes. Your teen is learning how to make significant decisions and develop their sense of self within their social spheres. These years can be confusing for both parents and teens as they explore their values, which can cause conflict at times. Some issues your teen may be facing include bullying, peer issues, substance use, depression, self-harm, anger, or self-esteem issues. I have extensive expertise and experience walking with teens and families of teens as they navigate the difficult parts of life. My goal is for your teen to feel seen and heard and to give them a space to process and work toward healing and growth.

Abandonment and Neglect

God created us to be in community and relationship with others. Our relationships with our caregivers were meant to echo our relationship with the Father. Unfortunately, in our fallen world, it is all too common to be hurt by those who were meant to love and protect us. Abuse by those close to us can lead to anxiety in future relationships, low self-worth, depression, and difficulty believing the truth about who you are and who God is. Our God invites us to cry out to Him in our hurt and abandonment. He will not leave us alone. My aim as your counselor is to guide you toward the truth of your worth to the Lord while utilizing evidenced-based treatment modalities to treat the symptoms of trauma.

Payment and Forms

Sessions: I offer 53-minute sessions. Sessions can be held more than once per week, weekly, or every other week. Scheduling options are discussed in greater detail during your Risk-Free Initial Session.

Availability (by office location):

• McKinney – Thursdays and Fridays
• Online Counseling – Tuesday, Thursdays and Fridays

Fees: I offer a Risk-Free Initial Session for individuals, couples, and groups looking to pursue counseling with me. Please note that there is a fee for the Risk-Free Initial Session as it is a clinical hour and reimbursable to most insurance companies, but if you choose not to reschedule and continue therapy after the initial session the entire fee for the session will be waived. For ongoing treatment the full fee per session is required at the time of service.

Insurance: As a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), most insurance companies will reimburse for a portion of my services (as an Out of Network Provider). Please consult with your insurance provider as to whether they specifically cover adolescents, individuals and couples.

Receipts/Statements: In the event you require a printed or digital receipt, I will provide receipts for personal use, insurance reimbursement, Flex Spending Accounts (FSA), and Health Savings Accounts (HSA).

Payment options: Cash, Check, or Credit Card (Visa, MasterCard, Discover, & American Express). A fee of up to 4% per transaction may be added for credit card payments.