Today we’d like to introduce you to Rebecca Werts.
Hi Rebecca, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today.
I am originally from Denver (Glendale), Colorado, and moved to Dallas, Texas, when I was 15 years old. While growing up in Glendale, I struggled with my self-esteem, confidence, identity, and mentaal and emotional health. However, I was not familiar with counseling or mental health resources. Hopeful for support, my mom sought help through one of her friends, and they helped me navigate my experiences. Despite those challenges, I found my passion in education and excelled in my academics. I was always awarded for excellent grades and was placed in college preparation programs. I became the first in my family to matriculate through higher education and completed my Bachelor’s degree in Psychology (2013) at the University of North Texas. With a desire and passion to help others overcome the challenges I experienced; I went on to earn my M.S. in Counseling at UNT as well. While at UNT, I gained academic experience as an Academic Advisor, undergraduate instructor, and completed my Internship at Hope’s Door New Beginning Center (HDNBC). My academic and clinical experiences sparked an interest in me to pursue a Ph.D. in Counselor Education at UNT, where I have had the opportunity to grow as a counselor, educator, supervisor, leader, scholar, and advocate. As an emerging counselor educator, I am passionate about empowering clients, students, and future counselors and instilling confidence and hope as they navigate their personal and professional journey.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
The journey has been far from smooth or easy. As one who is working to also overcome perfectionism, I have had to learn that life’s journey is not perfect nor linear. I also had to address the hurt, rejection, and brokenness I felt as a young girl. I spent many years doubting myself because of the messages I internalized and the experiences I had during my upbringing. Even with my academic achievements, I questioned my ability to be successful in college. After earning less than a 2.5 during my first semester in college, I was discouraged about my academic journey. It was a challenge to blaze the trail as a first-generation college student. However, with the help of family, faculty members, mentors, resources, and programs, I was able to successfully finish and prepare for graduate school. During graduate school, I found myself questioning my abilities again as a counselor. I would often ask myself, “How can I help others if I’m still walking out my own experiences?” The more I asked that question, the more I realized that the experiences I thought would disqualify me are actually the experiences that have strengthened my ability to be warm, empathic, understanding, and compassion for those I serve. I can, from a personal and professional position, empathize with and understand low self-esteem, self-doubt, or perfectionism because I’ve dealt with those issues, too. I have since reframed the question, “Why me?” to, “Why not me?” I am human, just like everyone else around me, and I believe our humanity connects us in a powerful way.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I am a lover of life, laughter, and liberation. I take joy in walking in freedom alongside those I serve. For this reason, I am honored to be a Licensed Professional Counselor-Associate (supervised by Dr. Leslie Jones, LPC-S, RPT, and Ms. Cynthia Thompson, LPC-S), a National Certified Counselor (NCC), and a National Board for Certified Counselors Minority Fellow-Doctoral (2022-2023). I provide individual counseling to adults and adolescents (16 and older) at Chill Counseling, a group practice that serves the state of Texas. I utilize culturally responsive and trauma-informed approaches, including Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), to center clients’ experiences and identities. I am most passionate about working with Black, Indigenous, Women of Color (BIWOC), and the Black/African American community, though I am not limited to those communities. My primary work focuses on self-esteem/confidence, grief/loss, trauma, life transitions, and relational dynamics. My favorite part of my work is partnering with churches in the community to bridge the gap between the Christian faith and mental health. I also am most proud of my expansive reach beyond the counseling room. I engage community, professional, and academic spaces through public speaking, workshops, trainings, and presentations, increasing the access and knowledge of mental health to those around me. I believe what sets me apart is my unique personality and approach to cultivating spaces for clients and others to feel brave, courageous, and empowered to overcome challenges and live life in a meaningful way.
Can you tell us more about what you were like growing up?
I am the oldest of two and grew up in a single-parent household with my sister and my mother. While growing up, I was extremely shy, reserved, and very studious, though I associate much of my childhood personality to my lack of self-esteem and confidence. I LOVED (and clearly still do) studying, learning, and exploring subjects like English and Social Sciences. I grew up in church, and my Christian faith has always been a salient and meaningful part of my identity. Christianity & Mental Health are now part of my clinical and research interests. Though I experienced the personal challenges I shared earlier, I wouldn’t change my childhood for anything in the world. I had the joy of growing up in the 90’s and early 2000’s (what an era–you just had to be there) where the movies, music, and life without social media, made my childhood and adolescence a fun one.
As an adult, I am more introverted and thrive in intimate, meaningful settings rather than large crowds. Rather than small talk, I find genuine connection through intentional and meaningful conversations. Though introverted, I have witty humor (I love making people laugh and smile), a warm personality (I love making people feel seen, heard, and known), and enthusiasm for life (I love seeing people live). My life and my work remind me that I do not have to hide who I really am in order to feel accepted. Witnessing my transformation from a young girl who struggled with self-acceptance to realizing how beautiful and powerful my authenticity is has been the fuel to my passion for helping others thrive in life. In my spare time, I love exploring history and art in museums, going to coffee shops and bookstores, and spending time in nature. I also love driving, journaling, spending time with loved ones, and reliving the 90s/2000s through R&B music.
Pricing:
- Individual Session: $125-140
- Sliding scale/Reduced rates are available on a needs basis
Contact Info:
- Website: rebeccacwerts.com /chillcounseling.com
- Instagram: @rebeccacwerts /@chillcounseling
Image Credits
Rebecca Werts
Maurissa Starks
