Grief counselors and therapists in Lufkin, TX

As a licensed professional counselor and psychotherapist with a passion for helping individuals, couples, and families, I believe prioritizing mental health is the key to happiness and stability in life. People can change if they have the right tools. Life can be a challenge but often it is our response to those challenges that set us apart from those with healthier coping skills.

Hello, my name is Shonda Phillips-Young. I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Clinical Supervisor. Thank you for taking the time to get to know me better. I am excited to invite you to embark on a transformative journey toward a more balanced and enriched life, where serenity and personal growth await. My passion is fostering a secure, supportive environment where you can express your thoughts and emotions without fear of judgment. Together, we will navigate your challenges and work diligently toward your aspirations. I am dedicated to empowering you throughout the therapeutic process, helping you uncover your inner strengths and resilience. I eagerly look forward to the possibility of joining you on this transformative path toward healing and growth.

What I would want clients to know about me is that I understand how heavy life can feel when you are carrying too much for too long. I often work with moms, caregivers, children, teens, and adults who are navigating anxiety, stress, overwhelm, life transitions, and the pressure to keep showing up even when they feel emotionally exhausted. If you are a mom who feels like you are always running, always thinking about what someone else needs, and slowly losing touch with yourself, this can be a space to pause, breathe, and begin finding your way back to you.

I also bring many years of experience in education and school counseling, which helps me support children, teens, and families with a practical understanding of how home, school, relationships, and daily responsibilities can impact emotional well-being. My goal is not to help you chase perfection, but to help you build more balance, clarity, confidence, and peace in your everyday life. Whether you are trying to feel like yourself again or trying to support a child who is struggling, you do not have to figure it all out alone.

I work with adults who are overwhelmed, anxious, emotionally exhausted, or struggling to navigate a major life transition—and are ready to understand themselves better and make meaningful changes.

As someone with OCD, I know what it's like to be stuck in your head all day. My own lifelong journey of healing energizes the work I do with my clients. I graduated from the University of Utah in 2020, and have since helped many people live better lives.

My experience centers on supporting clients of all ages through a wide range of life challenges. Guided by a solution-focused perspective, I believe holistic healing is a foundational part of effective client care. I am trained in EMDR, a therapeutic modality that helps clients process trauma and other difficult life experiences that may interfere with personal growth, relationships, and mental health. I work with clients navigating anxiety, depression, trauma, stress, life transitions, emotional overwhelm, and other concerns that can make it difficult to feel grounded or move forward. I hold a master’s degree from Colorado Christian University and have received training in both play therapy and EMDR. I have also worked with clients experiencing dual diagnoses within the field of substance use disorders, which has deepened my understanding of the connection between emotional pain, coping, and healing.

I’m Nicole Shurina, a Licensed Professional Counselor with over ten years of mental health experience, walking alongside people through some of the hardest chapters of their lives. I’ve worked with individuals facing anxiety, self-esteem, grief, and trauma. For over three years, I worked alongside first responders, where I developed a deep respect and understanding for the resilience they, their families, and others in high-stress roles face who often carry silent burdens.