Meet The Team
Who Are We?
Underwood Counseling & Consultation, PLLC was established in 2014 in McKinney, Texas, by Lucy F. Underwood PhD LPC-S who saw her community was lacking in providers who were effectively trained in trauma recovery therapy and in working with complex mental health issues.
After spending over 20 years as an administrator, program director, and staff therapist in public and private psychiatric hospitals, public community mental health centers, and residential substance abuse programs, Dr. Underwood transitioned to private practice bringing innovative and empirically supported trauma therapy to clients who previously only had options of traditional talk therapy and/or medication management.
Trained in 2012, she was among the first five clinicians in Collin and Grayson Counties in Texas, to offer Eye Movement Desensitization & Reprocessing (EMDR). In 2019, Dr. Underwood, again brought innovative trauma treatment to clients by adding Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART) to her repertoire of therapeutic approaches. Private practice has allowed for the provision of empirically supported mental health treatment without the limitations of corporate parameters and insurance directed care. The most enjoyable aspects of working in private practice have been the opportunities to see individuals achieve recovery, experience emotional healing, and develop confidence to pursue their personal goals.
Today, Dr. Underwood has a team of 12 therapists who provide in-office and telehealth counseling to clients across the states of Texas, Oklahoma, Colorado, Kansas, Alabama, Mississippi, Arkansas, and Georgia. She is committed to teaching therapists who desire to deepen their skill set as well as newly licensed therapists to meet the needs of individuals with complex mental health symptoms. While she continues to provide therapy to clients, Dr. Underwood also provides consultation to and collaboration with other organizations to create trauma recovery programs for first responders and veterans.
What Makes Us Different?
Underwood Counseling & Consultation, PLLC stands out as one of the premier practices in Collin County, Texas, and across Dallas-Fort Worth. Our team goes beyond just talk therapy. They bring over 50 years of collective experience to the group practice.
The Underwood Counseling & Consultation, PLLC team recognizes the need for integrated and collaborative care with other providers. Many general medical conditions can manifest as mental health symptoms.
Our team conducts a comprehensive biopsychosocial intake with all new clients and periodically revisits this information to determine what factors might underly mental health symptoms.
It is very common for our clinicians to collaborate with general medical providers, cardiologists, oncologists, psychiatrists, nutritionists, speech/language pathologists, occupational therapists, and other specialty services to ensure comprehensive care for our clients.
Underwood Counseling & Consultation, PLLC services the entire family. We have a team of therapists who specialize in therapy with individuals, families, and couples while utilizing EMDR, Accelerated Resolution Therapy, Congnitive Behavior Therapy, Family Systems, Skill Based Therapies, Animal Assisted Therapy just to name a few.
On the rare occasion that we encounter a client mental health need that we cannot treat, it is our promise that we will provide specific referrals to the client and with client permission provide coordination of care with the new provider.
Clients have reported finding therapeutic success with the Underwood Counseling & Consultation, PLLC team through the experience of safety and acceptance, acquisition of new skills, challenges to their thoughts and behaviors, accountability, and unconditional positive regard.
Dr. Lucy Underwood
PhD, LPC-S, NCC, ACS, BC-TMH
Owner, CEO
Licensed in Texas, Colorado, Georgia
In 1993, Dr. Lucy Underwood completed her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology at Auburn University followed by completion of a Master’s of Science in Counseling and Human Development at Troy University-Montgomery in 1996. In 2006, she graduated with a Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology from the University of Memphis. During the doctoral program Dr. Underwood completed an American Psychological Association (APA) approved pre-doctoral residency in Psychology at Mississippi State Hospital (MSH).
Following residency at MSH, she returned to employment in 2005, at East Mississippi State Hospital (EMSH) in Meridian, MS, as the Director of Psychology for the R. P. White Nursing Facility, a 240-bed long-term nursing home facility.
Additional clinical experience has included serving as the Director of Alternative Services for Parkwood Behavioral Health in Mississippi, where Dr. Underwood oversaw the delivery of services in a partial hospitalization program (PHP) for dual diagnosis; a chemical dependency intensive outpatient program (IOP); a school-based therapy program for at-risk youth; and a geriatric unit located within a medical-surgical hospital. In 2010, she relocated to McKinney, Texas, to join an addiction management company with both residential and outpatient treatment programs. Dr. Underwood has been in private practice since 2014.
Dr. Lucy Underwood’s experiences have ranged from clinical and program administration to individual/group/family therapy to psychological testing. Diagnoses that she has treated include sports performance (professional and amateur), chronic mental health issues (e.g., Anxiety, Depression, Bipolar Disorder, Eating Disorders, etc.), medical-psychiatric issues (e.g., Huntington’s Disease, Parkinson’s Disease, Alzheimer’s Disease, etc.), chemical dependency, chronic health issues (e.g., cancer, brain injury, infertility, etc.) and developmental disorders.
Dr. Underwood has also had extensive experience in treating childhood and family disorders and working in outpatient mental health programs. Integrated into all of her clinical experiences has been a large element of formal teaching and training of nurses, social workers, CNA’s, etc. in behavior management, psychological issues of various populations, and conflict resolution/management.
One of the most exciting developments in the treatment of mental health is the use of Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART) and Eye Move Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR). In addition to being a Licensed Professional Counselor-Supervisor in Texas and Colorado, Dr. Underwood also holds credentials as a Certified EMDR Therapist and EMDR Consultant-In-Training; and is Master Certified in Advanced & Enhanced Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART). Dr. Underwood is an authorized provider of ART SAF-T. She is a National Certified Counselor (NCC); an Approved Clinical Supervisor (ACS); and a Board Certified-Telemental Health Therapist (BC-TMH). Dr. Underwood enjoys providing clinical supervision to students and those LPC therapists who are completing their hours for licensure. She is a member of the Colorado Counseling Association, Texas Counseling Association, Dallas Psychological Association, EMDRIA, ART-International, the Association for Applied Sports Psychology, and the Anxiety and Depression Association of America.
Dr. Underwood’s conceptualization of issues is based in Systems Theory, which suggests our cognitions and behaviors are largely influenced by the various layers of our environment in which a client was reared. It does not discount genetic issues. Her treatment application is grounded in Cognitive Behavior Therapy or what we commonly refer to as “talk therapy”. Dr. Underwood frequently incorporates the use of EMDR and ART in conjunction with traditional talk therapy. With that said, she believes it important to figure out what works best for the client. At times, Dr. Underwood utilizes other treatment modalities including experiential therapies such as Equine Assisted Psychotherapy.
Originally from Alabama, Dr. Underwood moved to Texas in 2010. In her spare time she enjoys flower and vegetable gardening, cooking, exercise, photography, and traveling to attend Auburn University football games and Dave Matthews Band concerts. Dr. Underwood has been collecting recipes from family in hopes of someday writing her own cookbook. She enjoys music, her kitty (Piper), three Basset Hounds (River, Lily, and Ruby), as well as her friends’ dogs and horses. Dr. Underwood is active in First United Methodist Church of McKinney, the American Cancer Society, the Pi Beta Phi Alumnae Association, and has served in local community programs such as the advisory committee for the Women’s Alliance of McKinney, a division of the McKinney Chamber of Commerce.
Andrea Gonzalez
MA LMFT
Licensed in Texas, California
Andrea Gonzalez, MA LMFT graduated from Texas A&M University in College Station with a Bachelor in Sociology and a minor in Psychology. She attended graduate school at National University in San Diego, California, where she earned a Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology. She is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in the States of California and Texas.
Andrea was born and raised in Dallas, Texas, and moved to southern California in 2009, after earning her bachelor’s degree at Texas A&M. Following her undergraduate studies, she worked as a case supervisor at a private Applied Behavioral Analysis center that treated children and adolescents with Autism and other developmental disorders. Andrea then attended National University for her graduate degree, where she graduated with honors in the spring of 2012.
Andrea’s highest priority as a therapist is fostering a genuine therapeutic relationship with her clients. She works from a Client Centered approach, where she focuses on developing rapport with her clients and creating a safe, nurturing therapeutic environment. Andrea utilizes a variety of modalities when working with her clients, including Motivational Interviewing, Trauma Informed Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, and Solution Focused Therapy. She is experienced in working with adults, adolescents, and children in both inpatient and outpatient settings. Andrea spent several years working for dual diagnosis treatment centers throughout southern Orange County, California. She was the lead therapist at a 5-bed detox facility for 2 years, where she became well-versed in applying Motivational Interviewing and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy techniques with clients in crisis. Another career highlight was Andrea’s time spent working as a part of a multidisciplinary clinical team while providing therapy to youth in hospital and school settings.
Andrea’s favorite time of the year is college football season; she is a proud A&M Aggie! In her spare time, she loves to scrapbook, write, spend time with her friends and family, and go to barre classes. She and her husband welcomed their baby boy in July of 2022. They are enjoying getting to know their ‘little dude,’ and look forward to introducing their son to their love of travel and good food.
Ashley (Wilson) Boatman
LCSW BC-TMH
Licensed in Texas, Arkansas
Ashley (Wilson) Boatman earned her Bachelor of Science in Experimental Psychology from the Honors College at the University of South Carolina and went on to earn her Master of Social Work from University of Texas at Arlington. She is licensed in Texas and Arkansas as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW).
Ashley has extensive experience treating substance abuse, depression, anxiety, and trauma. She is trained in Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Motivational Interviewing, and Seeking Safety, which is a curriculum-based approach to treatment of co-occurring substance use and PTSD. Ashley is trained as an Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART) trauma specialist. Her therapeutic approach is integrative and is tailored to each client’s individual needs, often built on CBT, mindfulness, and existential therapeutic approaches; and always uses a strengths-based approach, focusing on the positive qualities that a client has available to him or her.
Ashley provides therapy to adolescents, adults, and seniors. She has special interests in working with adolescents who have difficulty regulating emotions; individuals who are expecting and/or are new parents; individuals who have experienced grief and loss; and individuals who have experienced trauma.
In her free time, Ashley can be found painting, playing with her kitties, and enjoying her time as a parent.
Stefanie Rivera
MA LPC
Licensed in Texas
Stefanie Rivera graduated from The University of Colorado in Denver with a Master of Arts in Counseling and a concentration in Couples and Family Therapy. She is credentialed as a Licensed Professional Counselor by the Texas Behavioral Health Executive Council.
Stefanie earned her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of Kansas. During her undergraduate studies, she assisted with research on the effects of social media on intimate relationships and volunteered for the National Suicide Prevention Hotline.
While living in Colorado, Stefanie worked with young adults in recovery from addiction and their families. Most recently, she provided group, individual, and family therapy for individuals recovering from substance abuse and trauma. Stefanie works with couple and family issues, substance use, trauma, anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues.
Stefanie’s true passion is assisting couples, families, and individuals in building upon their existing strengths. She approaches counseling as a collaborative relationship. Stefanie believes her clients are experts on their experience; and she is there to assist them in reaching goals that are meaningful to them. Stefanie utilizes Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and is trained as a Gottman Level 2 relationship therapist.
Stefanie grew up in the Dallas area and has been interested in psychology and counseling since the 5th grade. She has also lived in Kansas and Colorado. In her free time, Stefanie enjoys doting on her nephews, playing with her French bulldog, trying new cuisine with her husband, and listening to true crime podcasts.
Alisha Gates
MS LPC
Licensed in Texas and Missouri
Alisha Gates MS LPC has a Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice from Park University and a Master of Science degree in Mental Health Counseling from Capella University. She is credentialed as a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in Texas and Missouri. Alisha has extensive therapeutic treatment experience with adolescents and adults in a psychiatric in-patient hospital setting as well as outpatient mental health programs where she provided case management, individual therapy, and group therapy.
Alisha believes that building a strong therapeutic rapport is very important to the therapeutic process. This allows the client to feel safe and understood while working to achieve their goals. Alisha specializes in working with anxiety, depression, trauma from abuse and neglect, stress management, and personality disorders. She utilizes Humanistic/Client Centered Counseling, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and Motivational Interviewing (MI) to help clients improve their mental health.
Alisha loves spending her free time with her husband and children. Her interests include traveling, attending concerts, watching movies and reading true crime.
Renee Segler-Dather
MS LPC LCDC
Licensed in Texas
Renee Segler earned her Bachelor of Science, Cum Laude, in Psychology from the University of Dallas in 2010, and went on to complete her Master of Science, Cum Laude, in Counseling at Southern Methodist University (SMU) in 2013. She is licensed as a Licensed Professional Counselor by the Texas Behavioral Health Executive Council. Renee is also a Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor.
Renee has been trained in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Motivational Interviewing, Family Systems Therapy, and EMDR. She has spent her career working with couples, children, adolescents, and adults struggling with suicidal ideation and family suicide; anxiety; ADHD; substance use/abuse; PTSD; physical, emotional, sexual, and spiritual abuse; mood disorders; DID; family system conflict; LGBTQ+ concerns; career transitions; college preparation; grief and loss; and the psychological consequences of medical issues (e.g., cancer, dementia, other terminal illness) or medical procedures (e.g., chronic pain, painful surgical procedures, failed anesthesia during surgery, etc.).
Renee has spent much of her career working in outpatient and residential treatment programs, such as Resource Center, which serves the LGBTQ+ community, and Journey of Hope in Plano. Additionally, she has facilitated support and therapy groups for teen girls to promote empowerment. Renee utilized a strengths based approach to therapy and focuses on the positive qualities of the individual to help them heal. She has a passion for helping children and families who have experienced loss.
In addition to being an experienced mental health therapist, Renee is an accomplished artist, who enjoys getting lost in her creative side through painting. She loves to travel; spend time with her family and friends; and snuggle with her cat, Mrs. Riley.
W. Neil Underwood
Executive Coaching & Practice Management Consulting
Executive coaching and practice management consulting for behavioral health business and individuals are provided by Neil Underwood, who has over 20 years experience working with Fortune 500 companies. Neil spent 14 years with Nucor Steel. Nucor Steel is one of the most cited companies among business colleges (e.g., Harvard, etc.) for successful implementation of an executive development program and consistently profitable manufacturing facilities.
During Neil’s employment with Nucor, he was responsible for employee performance and development; served as Hot Mill management; and named the departmental point person for OSHA VPP.
Neil has extensive training with the Franklin Covey Leadership Program and received executive coaching from David Hanson, PhD in Seattle, WA. Neil is highly experienced in training and development of Lean/Six Sigma within organizations.
Neil is a native of Texas and was reared in Daingerfield, Texas. He attended Northeast Texas Community College while working with Lone Star Steel. Upon completion of NTCC, Neil transferred to Baylor University in 1992, and graduated from Baylor University in 1998. After making the decision to forego admission to UTSW and Baylor medical schools, Neil pursued a career in which he could assist individuals in reaching their career potentials through training, education, and mentorship.
Executive coaching, leadership development, and performance improvement are appropriate for individuals at any level of employment who seek to excel within the behavioral healthcare field. Individual coaching and group training are provided by Neil Underwood. If you desire to learn how to advance in your career, increase revenue, and put more profit in your pocket, please contact Neil Underwood.
Zach Small
MS LPC-A
Licensed in Texas, Colorado
Under the Supervision of Lucy Underwood, PhD LPC-S NCC
A native Texan, Zach is a 1999, graduate of Plano Senior High School. He received his Bachelor of Psychology and Sociology from Southern Methodist University (SMU) in 2004. Zach is a graduate from The University of North Texas with a Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling.
Zach has extensive training working with Veterans and first responders. He offers individual, family, and couples counseling. Zach specializes in Post-Traumatic Stress, adverse experiences, depression, and anxiety. He is trained in Adlerian theory as well as Eye Movement Desensitization & Reprocessing (EMDR) and Cognitive Processing Therapy. Zach also utilizes Narrative Exposure Therapy and Dreamwork in counseling with clients.
Zach is a husband and father of two. He is a lifelong athlete and sports fan. In his spare time, Zach is an avid outdoorsman, enjoying fly fishing, hunting, and camping.
Monte G. Kuykendall
MA LPC CPCS
Licensed in Georgia
Monte Kuykendall received a Master of Arts in Marriage & Family Counseling and a Master of Divinity from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. He completed a Bachelor of Arts from Charleston Southern University. Monte has 23 years of experience working with families, individuals, and couples. He is credentialed as a Licensed Professional Counselor by the Georgia
Composite Board of Professional Counselors. Monte has extensive training in Bowenian Family Systems Therapy (www.thebowencenter.org) and Structural Family Therapy (www.minuchincenter.org). When working with clients, Monte considers the relationships within a family of origin, such as boundaries, unspoken rules, and roles of each family member.
Through his experiences as student in seminary and as an ordained minister, he has first-hand observation of how religion can be weaponized and used to inflict trauma. Monte has a special interest in working to help families, adolescents, adults, and couples recover from spiritual abuse.
Considered ahead of his time, Monte has always been a strong advocate and supporter of women in leadership; and members of the LGBTQ community. He works with clients to eliminate shame. Shame makes one feel they are out of place in society; that they can be spotted by others for how damaged, messed up, or flawed they perceive that they are. It is Monte’s firm belief that
we all suffer in some type of shame at some point in our lives.
Monte utilizes humor frequently in therapy to help clients feel comfortable in their sessions. He has a warm, supportive, and collaborative approach to therapy. Monte strives to provide a safe, non-judgmental environment for clients, allowing them to focus on their feelings and work towards their goals in therapy.
Crystal Trevino
MA LPC
Licensed in Texas
Crystal Trevino is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in the State of Texas. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Behavioral Science from Saint Edward’s University and a master’s degree in Counseling from Dallas Theological Seminary.
Crystal adapts her therapeutic approach to the unique needs of the individual client. She specializes in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) and The Enneagram Personality Assessment. She is trained as trauma therapist in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR). These are effective tools in assisting individuals with examining their own beliefs and values. For example, if someone values family but they are neglecting their family in any way, they will experience a great deal of anxiety because their behaviors are not in line with their values. When one’s values and behaviors are congruent, a great deal of joy and peace will inevitably follow. Crystal’s goal as a therapist is to help individuals, families, and couples identify the discrepancies between their values and behaviors and create congruency, which will allow them to experience a greater amount of joy and peace.
Crystal works with pre-adolescents, adolescents, adults, families, and couples with mental health and substance abuse issues. She has extensive experience providing individual and group therapy in partial hospitalization programs focused on mental health issues. Crystal has several special interest areas. She enjoys working with adolescents and parents; particularly in working with the mother-daughter dyad to strengthen the bond by facilitating healthy problem-solving skills and effective communication.
Crystal works with adolescent athletes; as well as collegiate, semi-pro, and professional athletes. As a former collegiate soccer player, she has an unique understanding of the mental health pressures associated with performing at an elite level while managing the day to day personal, social, academic, and familial expectations. There is an intense amount of pressure athletes feel which causes a great deal of anxiety and an inability to enjoy something that once brought them great joy. In sports, Crystal believes anxiety stems from a fear of failure or not measuring up to the expectations of others. She desires to walk alongside athletes and provide them with helpful tools to manage these fears, starting with examining their own core values.
Crystal also has a strength in working with couples using Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT). She believes the strength of family begins with the couple. She enjoys helping couples to explore their individual values and beliefs to develop congruency and alignment. Stability as a couple promotes stability as a family.
Crystal’s hobbies include singing, writing, attempting to cook, working out, shopping with her daughter, and watching movies and sports with her family. She has loved to sing since she was little. Crystal was able to try out for The Voice recently, which she described as an awesome experience. Who knows, maybe she will try out again next season! Crystal also loves writing and listening to music because it makes her feel calm and relaxed. She is always looking for fun ways to stay active, whether it’s a fun outdoor activity with the kids or something like goat yoga. Her children teach her daily about patience and grace. According to Crystal, “It’s amazing how much we can learn from our children. I feel so blessed to have a front row seat in their lives.”
Crystal believes anything worth having requires work. We are all on a unique journey and each day is an opportunity for growth. To grow, we must be willing to immerse ourselves in the process of change. This process never seems easy, but it is always worth it.
“It would be my honor and privilege to walk alongside you on your journey!”