Jenny, owner and operator of the Heart of Texas Speech and Counseling Center, received her Bachelor of Science in Speech Pathology from Howard Payne University and her Master's degree in Guidance & Counseling from Tarleton State University. Jenny has practiced as a Speech Pathologist in schools and the birth-age 3 population for the past 29 years. She has been licensed as a professional counselor for 10 years.

During internship and practice, Jenny has worked with various agencies, including schools, MHMR, Family Services Center in Brownwood, foster care agencies, home health, and hospice. Jenny spent 10 years in a volunteer and internship capacity with The ARK (formerly known as the Noah Project), a shelter for domestic violence victims. She developed and led groups for women and children as well as involvement in crisis counseling.

Jenny believes that by providing a safe, therapeutic environment along with developing appropriate coping strategies and tools, individuals are capable of obtaining self-acceptance as well as emotional balance and harmony in their daily lives.

Lisa has been part of Heart of Texas Speech and Counseling Center since October, 2002. Lisa is a Licensed Professional Counselor with a Master's Degree in Education from Tarleton State University. Lisa received her Bachelor of Science from Houston Baptist University with a double major in Biology and Psychology.

Lisa began her career in education and continued at MHMR working with diverse populations as case manager of children and adults with various diagnoses. Upon completion of her master's, she began her internship with Family Service Center in Brownwood. While at FSC, she worked with numerous children's and women's groups as the facilitator, taught parenting and divorce classes, and served as the parenting coordinator for several years.

Lisa believes all individual should have the opportunity to experience the best quality of life while having the least restrictions placed upon them.

Lisa is involved in her community as a business owner (Wild West Mercantile) and lives near Proctor with her husband, Grant, and children Ashley, Jaden, and Colton Roberts.

Cynthia has recently joined the staff at the Heart of Texas Speech & Counseling Center as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW).

Cynthia received her Bachelor of Science in Social Work from Howard Payne University in Brownwood and her Masters degree in Social Work from the University of Texas at Arlington. Cynthia has worked in the social work profession for 10 years. After completing her bachelor degree she worked in numerous fields of Social Work including Home Health, Hospice, Adult Protective Services, and MHMR with both mentally ill and mentally retarded individuals.

After attaining her Masters degree she completed her clinical hours through the Heart of Texas Speech & Counseling Center as well as at the Comanche Community Medical Center. She has been providing therapy for four years with a range of diagnosis and ages. She continues to be currently employed at the Comanche Community Medical Center where she works in hospice, home health, and with psych patients at hospital. She provides grief therapy through the hospice program as well.

Cynthia has worked with a multitude of individuals with mental health needs. She has worked with autistic individuals as well. Cynthia made a decision to become a clinical social worker after encountering so many individuals with mental health needs in the community. Cynthia hopes to help individuals understand their illnesses and cope with life stressors that impact their functioning in society so they can continue to be a productive member of society.

Cynthia Newton, LCSW is a Medicare provider at the Heart of Texas Speech and Counseling Center.

Mona is a native of Hamilton County who was raised in the Aleman Community and graduated from Hamilton High School. Mona received a B.S. in Home Economics Education from University of North Texas in Denton and M.S. in Education from Stephen F. Austin University in Nacogdoches.

Her background includes 25 years in the field of education, working in various capacities in different settings. After returning to Hamilton to be near family and teach at Hamilton High School, she began to pursue her dream of a counseling degree and career. She then completed her M. S. in Counseling at Texas Woman’s University in Denton. Mona’s counseling experience includes internships at the University Counseling Center in Denton, Texas and at the Samaritan Inn in McKinney, Texas. She has also worked as a special education counselor and is now employed as a therapist with the Hamilton Hospital’s Special Care Clinic. She has recently joined the staff at the Heart of Texas Speech and Counseling Center in Gustine, Texas as a Licensed Professional Counselor (L.P.C.).

Mona works with individuals, couples, families, children and adolescents and in areas including depression, grief, parenting, divorce and marital and relationship issues. She is passionate about helping individuals to grow and families to resolve their problems. She continues to pursue training and education in a variety of areas including addiction and substance abuse with plans to become a licensed chemical dependency counselor.

Mona believes that all people have the capacity for good and the ability to change their emotions, behaviors and goals for the better. She states “It is my desire to help my clients to resolve their problems and to become more accepting of themselves in order to find happiness and contentment in their lives. I am excited to be part of the dynamic team at the Heart of Texas Speech and Counseling Center where I have the opportunity to reach those who are ready to initiate positive changes in their lives and in their relationships.”

Kathy is the Administrative Assistant for Heart of Texas Speech & Counseling. She grew up in Corpus Christi, Texas and lived in San Antonio, Texas for several years before moving to Hamilton County.

She is married and her mentally-challenged sister lives with her and her husband. Kathy has one son, a daughter-in-law, and two grandsons, living in the Abilene area.

Kathy's nursing experience includes public health, home health, hospice, family practice clinic, and school nursing.

Kathy's clerical and management abilities, as well as her nursing background, are an invaluable part of Heart of Texas Speech & Counseling.

Dorothy is the Office Manager at the Heart of Texas Speech and Counseling Center. She has served in this capacity for 9 years.

Between taking phone messages, faxing, filing, and copying/sorting our multitude of documents she manages to be an encouragement to all she meets. Her hard work and pleasant, caring attitude are inspiring.

Dorothy’s work is critical in keeping our facility running smoothly and we are proud she is a part of the Heart of Texas Speech and Counseling family.