Book a therapist or psychiatrist in Houston, TX covered by United Healthcare

What I most want to impress upon you all is that I myself, have over 210 hours on the couch. I have been engaged in my own inner work since 2013. I continue and plan to always dig deeper within to extract every inch of meaning that is possible to obtain on this journey of life to leave this world a little better than I found it.

I’m Emily, owner of Alive and Whole Wellness and a Houston-based therapist. I specialize in therapy for lasting change by helping my clients heal at the root of their anxiety and move forward in life alive in purpose, whole in identity, and free from fear.

What to expect through therapy

Imagine a space where...

• You have a safe, trusting relationship where you freely and securely share your story.
• You identify the roots of your struggles and experience healing in mind, body, and spirit.
• You learn to reconnect with your sense of self and step back into life alive, whole, and free.
• Your past no longer keeps you feeling stuck, but becomes a part of your testimony as you move forward.

Hello and welcome—I'm so glad you're here.

My name is Shanna Gardner, LPC-S, and I’m a Licensed Professional Counselor-Supervisor with over 20 years of experience in the mental health field. I'm deeply passionate about helping individuals navigate life’s challenges and discover a sense of peace, purpose, and emotional wellness.

I believe that therapy should be a space where you feel safe, heard, and truly understood. Whether you're dealing with overwhelming stress, navigating a tough life transition, or managing symptoms of anxiety or depression, I’m here to support you every step of the way.

Exploring our inner world is an important step towards true emotional development. As a native Houstonian, I am deeply rooted in assisting children, adolescents, and young adults in our community navigate their daily experiences, social interactions, and life transitions. With over 20 years of mental health experience in a variety of settings, I am a Licensed Professional Counselor (private practice) and a School Psychologist (public schools). I work with individuals experiencing social difficulties, anxious feelings, negative emotions, and provide a safe place for process daily experiences.

Candra is a psychiatric nurse practitioner who is funny, driven, loyal, compassionate, and, most importantly, a human being who genuinely cares about people. I strive daily to serve clients who need support reaching their goals in life.

Whether you are a teen trying to find your way, a struggling college student, navigating corporate America, a single parent juggling it all, or an overachiever who needs permission to rest, I am here to help meet your needs. Not everyone needs medication. Sometimes, people simply need someone to talk to who actually cares, listens, and understands. Others may need assistance with medication, and that is perfectly fine too. When medication is appropriate, we will work together to find an option that best meets your individual needs. I provide an integrative approach to mental health care that is holistic, realistic, practical, and safe. Whether you are dealing with depression, anxiety, insomnia, ADHD, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, trauma, a breakup, a bad grade, a failed marriage, job loss, or simply a difficult season of life, I can help. My goal is for you to leave each session feeling heard, supported, and clear about your next steps. Healing isn’t a solo journey, and I’m here to walk it with you.

Welcome to This Space. I am a doctoral level clinician with a variety of mental health experience. I started out in community mental health agencies working with psychiatrists to treat depression, anxiety, ptsd, and schizophrenia in teens and adults. I have since transitioned to private practice where I help clients, mostly adults work through grief, depression, anxiety, life transitions, trauma, and stress management.