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FBISD Mental Health Therapists
FBISD Mental Health Therapists provide support to all campuses in the district.
Rashan is a native of New Orleans, Louisiana – a place she endearingly refers to “as home,” residing in Texas. She is the mother of a dapper 14-year-old student-athlete who keeps her schedule as busy as she does herself. As a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), she possesses extensive skills in working with students of all ages who may be grappling with the tough stuff. She has a background in co-occurring psychiatric and substance use disorders (COPSD), substance use disorders (SUD), and trauma (with the use of ACES and the Trauma-Informed Care approach). She holds a Master's Degree in Public Administration Non-Profit Management providing consulting and coaching services. Recently, she pushed her passion into writing by authoring her first publication Purposeful Life: A passion-driven guided journal, and co-author to Taking the S of My Chest. She is a speaker on the Mind Matters Health and Wellness Channel which is featured on the Black House Media Streaming Network. Her work is truly her passion, and she allows that to drive her purpose.
Kara Hatfield is a Licensed Professional Counselor with over 10 years of clinical experience working with children, adolescents, young adults, and their families, while addressing an extensive range of concerns. Kara’s experience includes individual therapy, family therapy, group therapy, crisis intervention, and psychological assessment. Kara has worked in a variety of mental health settings including: residential treatment centers, hospital settings, school-based care, and outpatient care. Kara obtained a Master of Science from University of North Texas in Counseling Psychology. She enjoys implementing an eclectic and individualized approach in therapy to best meet each client’s needs. Kara values the importance of highlighting and exploring the unique strengths and resilience in each individual to help encourage hope, confidence, healing, and growth. She supports the Elkins and Ridge Point feeder patterns
My name is Melissa Henderson, and I am the Mental Health Therapist (MHT) for the Austin and Kempner feeder patterns. I am excited to support these campuses and the students, parents, and staff that are part of them! This is my third year working for FBISD and prior to that I worked in home base, outpatient, and school settings as a Therapist. I have a Master’s degree in Clinical Counseling Psychology specializing in Children and Adolescent Therapy and am a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) within Texas and Pennsylvania. As an MHC, I collaborate with School Counselors and work with students and families who need intensive, specific interventions. My referrals will come through the School Counselor and with parent permission; I am able to provide short-term counseling to students. Why do I do what I do? I care about students hearts and want to hear their stories. Working together, my hope is to help students edit their life stories and write new chapters in their books. We will process their experiences and come up with tools and strategies for their “tool boxes” in order to cope with anxiety, stress, depression, or other mental health challenges that may be affecting them personally and their school success. Family-centered care is very important to me and I will work closely with the parent/caregiver to provide the most effective support for the student and his or her family.
Jesse Moreno is the Mental Health Therapist for the Dulles, Travis, and Willowridge feeder patterns. He attended the University of Houston – Clear Lake and earned his Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Master of Arts in Clinical Psychology. He obtained licensure as a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in 2008. Jesse is a product of Fort Bend ISD attending Lakeview Elementary, Sugar Land Middle School, and graduated from Kempner High School in 1996. Prior to working for Fort Bend ISD as a Mental Health Counselor in 2019, he worked for Family Services of Greater Houston, Houston ISD, and Fort Bend County Juvenile Probation. In his spare time Jesse enjoys golfing, fishing, coaching baseball, and spending time with his wife, four sons, and daughter.
Maritza Veliz is a bilingual (English/Spanish) Licensed Professional Counselor-Supervisor, certified as an Anger Resolution Therapist and Clinical Trauma Professional. She graduated from the University of Houston with a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and the University of Houston-Clear Lake with a Master’s degree in Clinical Psychology. She spent 10 years working with adolescents at the Fort Bend County Juvenile Probation Department and has been a mental health counselor with Fort Bend ISD for two years. She supports the Bush and Hightower feeder patterns as well as the Spanish-speaking students in the district. Mrs. Veliz is passionate about trauma-informed care, facilitating student healing and growth, strengthening family relationships and working collaboratively with staff members and parents to provide support for students.
Antwanette Weaver is a board-certified Licensed Professional Counselor. She is currently a Mental Health Therapist but has served in various roles during her career with Fort Bend Independent School District. Prior to becoming a Mental Health Therapist, she was the School Professional Counselor for Juan Seguin Elementary in Fort Bend ISD for nine years. Throughout this time, she also provided mental health services to individuals and families in the private sector, as well as those involved with Children’s Protective Services. Antwanette holds a Master of Education degree in Counseling from the University of Houston-Victoria. She also holds a Bachelor in Interdisciplinary Studies degree from the University of Houston-Victoria. Moreover, she is a certified Professional School Counselor and certified Teacher. She has nearly 25 years of experience in Fort Bend ISD. In addition to her extensive career in Fort Bend ISD, she is also a graduate of Willowridge High School and has always been committed to giving back to the community that established her foundation. Her personal goal is to work with every client to reach optimal mental health while reaching their full potential.
Invocare IMPACT
Invocare IMPACT supports the following campuses through the use of the VOCA Grant:
- Armstrong Elementary
- Briargate/Blue Ridge Elementary
- Burton Elementary
- E.A. Jones Elementary
- Glover Elementary
- Goodman Elementary
- Heritage Rose Elementary
- Hunters Glen Elementary
- Lantern Lane Elementary
- Lexington Creek Elementary
- Quail Valley Elementary
- Quail Valley Middle
- Ridgegate Elementary
- Ridgemont Elementary
- Rosa Parks Elementary
Whitney is the Clinical Supervisor for Fort Bend IMPACT. She is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in the states of Florida and Texas. She has been in the field of social work for over 8 years, servicing children, families, schools, and communities. Whitney has provided oversight to IMPACT programs in numerous states that have including Nevada, Florida, and California. She loves collaborating with school districts to ensure the appropriate level of care is given to the students her teams serve. Her experience includes treating youth, adolescents, and adults from diverse backgrounds with an array of concerns. Her areas of experience include supporting children with learning differences and speech delay, depression/anxiety, stress, family problems, trauma/abuse, addiction, relationships/parenting, and more. Her experience in the field has taught her that one of the most important aspects of counseling is the level of connection and comfort a family feels with their assigned clinician. Whitney loves the outdoors, karaoke, planning game nights with her family and friends, and eating out. She is excited to continue the amazing partnership with the Fort Bend School District this school year.
Dr. Tonnessa L. Gibson is a Board Certified Licensed Professional Counselor. She obtained a Doctorate in Counseling Education from Texas Southern University and a Master’s degree in General Counseling and Guidance from Louisiana Tech University. Dr. Gibson has over 13 years of experience providing counseling services to individuals and families in a multifaceted environment. She has developed skills in crisis intervention, stress management, mindfulness, and individual services. Dr. Gibson has also provided services to clients from various ethnic and cultural backgrounds as well as age groups and developmental levels. Dr. Gibson is tenacious and has the desire to aid others (individuals, children, adolescents/teens, couples, LGBTQ+, and communities) in identifying change and coping strategies.
Clearhope Counseling & Wellness
Clearhope supports the following campuses through the VOCA Grant, private insurance, and Medicaid:
- Arizona Fleming Elementary
- Austin High
- Baines Middle
- Barrington Place Elementary
- Bowie Middle
- Brazos Bend Elementary
- Bush High
- Clements High
- Colony Bend Elementary
- Crawford High
- Crockett Middle
- Dulles Elementary
- Dulles High
- Dulles Middle
- Elkins High
- First Colony Middle
- Fort Settlement Middle
- Garcia Middle
- Highlands Elementary
- Hightower High
- Hodges Bend Middle
- Kempner High
- Lake Olympia Middle
- Marshall High
- McAuliffe Middle
- Meadows Elementary
- Mission Bend/Glen Elementary
- Mission West Elementary
- Missouri City Middle
- Neill Elementary
- Oyster Creek Elementary
- Pecan Grove Elementary
- Progressive High
- Ridge Point High
- Sartartia Middle
- Scalan Oaks Elementary
- Schiff Elementary
- Settlers Way Elementary
- Sugar Land Middle
- Sienna Crossing Elementary
- Thornton Middle
- Townewest Elementary
- Travis High
- Willowridge High
Click here for therapist bios.
Sugar Land Counseling Center
Sugar Land Counseling Center supports the following campuses through the use of private pay & Blue Cross Blue Shield Insurance Company:
- Austin Parkway Elementary
- First Colony Middle
- Fort Settlement Middle
- Sartartia Middle
Click here for therapist bios.
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Priti Avantsa, LMSW
Coordinator of Mental Health and Social Work Services for Fort Bend ISD.
Priti Avantsa is a Licensed Social Worker with over 20 years of experience in school social work. She started her career as a Community Youth Service Specialist with Harris County. She followed her passion for working with students in Spring ISD, Spring Branch ISD, and Fort Bend ISD where she has been for 18 years, She is currently the Coordinator of Mental Health and Social Work Services.
She oversees a team of 16 Licensed Social Workers, 6 Licensed Profession Counselors and Community Mental Health partners who provide mental health services to students in the district. She has spearheaded the development and roll out of the mental health program in FBISD in 2019.
Mrs. Avantsa has lived in FBISD for the last 24 years and has seen the district grow in all areas especially in addressing the mental health and social emotional needs of our students. She is the proud mom of two FBISD graduates who are now exemplifying the attributes of our Profile of a Graduate, as young, working adults.