Meet Our Therapists

The Center for Hope and Healing is a team of therapists passionate about helping clients heal the emotions accompanying traumatic memories.

Sue Watkins, founder, and Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, has been treating clients for over four decades.

After being in private practice for many years, Sue gathered a team of therapists who treat trauma. The Center now has therapists on staff for children, teens, adults, and couples therapy. We understand it’s difficult for clients to make the first call, so we work to make them safe and comfortable from the moment they enter our warm and welcoming office.

Our team believes in spending time getting to know our clients before developing their personalized treatment plans. We welcome you to get to know our team!

Center For Hope And Healing entrance
Love Foster Hope
EMDR Badge
American Association for Marriage & Family Therapy

Meet Our Therapy Team

Sue Watkins

Sue Watkins

Founder

Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist,

E.M.D.R. Certified,

T.B.R.I. Practitioner

I have been licensed as a therapist for over 40 years years. During which time I have had a private practice, left that to work in the non-profit sector and then came back to private practice.  Through it all what has energized me is people’s stories and watching them change and grow.

With traditional talk therapy, my orientation is Family Systems - understanding  how we became to be who we are as well as how we can change those patterns in our lives and learn new skills to have more successful lives.

For treating trauma, I utilize E.M.D.R.   E.M.D.R is not traditional talk therapy, it is an exciting approach which taps into the brain’s own ability to heal itself.  I am excited and passionate about what E.M.D.R. can accomplish.

In order to be effective though my first goal is to establish a safe and trusting environment.  I want all my clients to feel very comfortable in their session.

My education comes by way of the Santa Clara University (B.S) and from Fuller Theological Seminary (M.A.)

I have been married for over 40 years, have 3 sons, 2 daughter-in-laws, 5 grandsons and friends all of whom I love dearly. I take relationships seriously because it is relationships that give color to our lives.  It is in the giving and receiving of love that we find out who we truly are.

Lauren Hollis

Lauren Hollis

Therapist

Licensed Professional Counselor

Registered Play Therapist

CBT Trained

Certified in TF-CBT

I am a Licensed Professional Counselor and Registered Play Therapist. I received my Master’s in Clinical Mental Health from Sam Houston State University. I also have training in Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT) and Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT). I began counseling by specializing in working with children, adolescents and adult individuals, especially those who have experienced trauma and grief, acute and chronic medical conditions, anxiety, self-esteem, and challenges with life transitions. Now in private practice I not only enjoy working with individuals but with couples and marriage counseling.

I worked as a certified child life specialist (CCLS) for 8 years and throughout that time developed extensive knowledge and experience to aid families going through medical trauma, grief and the challenges of chronic and acute medical conditions. Through this experience, I identified a lack of support and counseling services that were offered and available to these patients and families. This is what led me to want to become a counselor and work with trauma, crisis, and grief. I am passionate about being an advocate for those without a voice in the medical community and helping those that have experienced trauma to find their own voice. Through my counseling practice I have become passionate about helping couples work on their marriage. Relationships take a lot of work and I enjoy being able to help couples work to resolve conflict, reconnect and grow together.

I believe each client is unique and different. I use a holistic and integrative style of counseling to provide appropriate treatment based on individual needs that is as unique as they are. I truly enjoy working with each client and integrating important life aspects such as values, morals, religion, culture and support systems. Sometimes clients struggle to identify their most valued aspects and I look forward to helping those clients find it. I strive to provide an open, honest, real, unbiased, confidential and comfortable environment for each client that I see.

When I am not providing counseling services, I am spending time with my husband and two children. I enjoy being active and outside as much as possible. I enjoy sports, fantasy football, fishing, picnics and celebrating each holiday to the fullest.

Haley Pettigrew

Haley Pettigrew

Therapist

Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist

Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor

EMDR Trained

Certified CBT

I am a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and a licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor. I received my Bachelor of Science degree in Human Development and Family Studies and my Master of Science degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from Texas Tech University. Wreck Em Tech!! I have an extensive background working with trauma, addiction, and co-occurring mental health disorders, specifically within a family system framework.

I began my career as a therapist long before I ever learned about theories and assessments. I have always had a love of all things relationship and believe in the humanity of an individual. I was and continue to be a person just like you yearning to better understand my family system and the various facets of life that mold me. Throughout my life experiences, I have come to understand that we all have baggage that is carried with us throughout our every relationship. Some bags are heavy and easily seen while others can be better concealed, but they all exist and are taken with us as we transition through life.

Accepting this aspect of human life has given me a greater perspective and understanding of growth and healing. It has also helped me to learn and embrace the idea that everyone has the capacity for change. With a purposeful choice for improvement and the willingness to ask for help, you can have a life you love. I am here to help carry your bags and walk this journey with you towards healing. I understand that sharing the depths of your experiences with a stranger can be incredibly scary and I will work diligently to help provide a safe and secure environment where you can feel heard and exist exactly as your authentic self. Utilizing a holistic approach based on the specific needs of each client, I will work with you to develop meaningful goals while providing an open, unbiased, and honest perspective as you walk the path towards healing.

When I am not doing this meaningful work, I am spending time with my family. My husband, two sons, and I love spending time outdoors embracing the Texas heat or watching our favorite football teams. We also enjoy movies, spending time with extended family cooking and playing games, or cheering on our Red Raiders.

Laura Veldhoven

Laura Van Veldhoven

Psychologist

I am a licensed clinical psychologist with over 15 years of experience in both clinical practice and research and in multiple different treatment settings. I earned my Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology with specialty training in Neuropsychology from the University of Houston in 2007. Following graduation, I completed a year of postdoctoral fellowship at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center and a second year at TIRR Memorial Hermann’s Challenge Program and Brain Injury Research Center. Through my education and training, I have developed expertise in assessment and the use of cognitive behavioral and mindfulness techniques for both individuals and couples to address concerns related to major illness, cancer, chronic pain, grief & loss, anxiety, and depression.

Being a psychologist and serving the clients I work with is a true gift in my life. From a young age I have been attuned to the needs of others and this personal defining feature is one I have strengthened and shaped through my educational and training experiences. I hold strong to the knowledge expressed in this quote of Viktor E. Frankl, “When we are no longer able to change situation— we are challenged to change ourselves,” and that’s where I come in. In working with me, we can start to identify areas in your life that are not serving you well and come up with techniques and strategies to change those aspects about yourself into something you can co-exist with, accept and/or even gain strength from. Deciding to start therapy is not an easy one and I honor your courage in undertaking it. My approach to treatment is collaborative and evidence-based. Together, we will identify treatment goals that are important to you and ensure you are comfortable in undertaking the work to address them.

In addition to being a psychologist, I am a mother of a teenage daughter and a bonus daughter, a wife, and a breast cancer survivor. I am a lover of nature, an avid tennis player, and someone who seeks out opportunities to travel and volunteer in my community. I am also a member of The Woodlands Methodist Church and serve on the Advisory Council of Canopy, a Cancer Survivorship Center in The Woodlands.

Partner with Us for the Hope and Healing You Deserve Today!

We know making that first call is hard and a bit intimidating. You don't know us, and opening up to a stranger is uncomfortable. We will work hard to make you feel at ease and safe. If you are contemplating calling or emailing us, do it now!  Please don't put it off. And let's start on your journey of getting your life back. Take the first step to Hope and Healing - Contact Us Today!

We are a team of licensed and trained therapists, passionate about their work, non-judgmental, and eager to meet and get to know you. We accept everyone regardless of religion, race, sexual orientation, or sexual identity.