Meet our Therapists
Meet our Therapists
Dr. Kristy Donaldson PhD, LPC-S, RPT-S™, CHST
Certified Enneagram Coach
EMDR therapist
Animal-Assisted Counseling Ambassador
Owner of Premier Neurofeedback & Counseling Services, PLLC.
Along with counseling services, I provide CANS assessments, Enneagram & Sport Psychology coaching, organizational trainings, bariatric evaluation for surgery, pain evaluations for pain stimulator pump trials, and am available for speaking engagements.
Professional Experience:
I have the honor and privilege of owning Premier Neurofeedback and Counseling Services and am credentialed as a Licensed Professional Counselor and LPC Supervisor, Registered Play Therapist™ and Registered Play Therapy Supervisor™, and Certified Humanistic Sand Therapist and Supervisor with a PhD in Psychology, specializing in Forensics.
I am a speaker on a variety of topics, Certified Enneagram Coach (please see link under resources), and an adjunct professor. My work is published with the American Institute for the Advancement of Forensic Studies (AIAFS). I am the past President of the Board of Directors for the Advocacy Center of Waco, past President for the Heart of Texas Counseling Association, and a Past-President for the Texas Association for Play Therapy. I am a sustainer with the Junior League of Waco. Additionally, I am serving a three-year term on the International Journal of Play Therapy® editorial board, the Chair of the Association for Play Therapy™ Awards of Excellence Committee, Association for Play Therapy Ethics committee, and on the Association for Play Therapy Conference Program Committee.
Philosophy of Care:
I believe in finding the therapeutic approach that best meets the need of the individual client. I see my client as a whole person and utilize whichever modality provides the most cathartic response for the individual, as a prescriptive therapist. I have completed training at Baylor University from Sharon Rollins and consultation requirements in order to complete my EMDRIA certification. I am grateful for the opportunity to spend time with each client and walk alongside them as they process and heal their mind, body, and spirit.
Cairen Goree
M.A., LPC
Clinical focus: *currently on maternity leave*
Anxiety, trauma, grief, and life transitions; teens and adults.
Professional Experience:
Before becoming an LPC-Associate, I worked at Denver Children’s Home. There I supported youths overcoming trauma and various behavioral issues in their day-treatment and equine therapy programs. Later, I worked at the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor’s student counseling center and their community clinic, counseling teens and adults of all ages. I am currently working with and under the supervision of Dr. Kristy Donaldson.
Philosophy of Care:
I typically take a strengths-based approach, often utilizing a solution-focused framework. I use a variety of modalities from trauma informed, child centered play therapy, to sensorimotor (body-based) techniques, and cognitive-behavioral therapies as suits my clients' needs. I strive to fully engage clients in every part of their unique therapeutic journey, from planning to progress monitoring. I especially enjoy getting creative with clients to develop goals and solutions that work for them.
Victor Brown
M.S., LPC
Clinical focus:
Children, Teens, Adults who are experiencing post traumatic stress symptoms,
anxiety, depression, life transitions, identity, parenting, marital/couples counseling, stress, and
mood disorders.
Professional Experience:
I graduated from Tarleton State University with a Master of Science in
Clinical Mental Health and Counseling. I have worked with in the academic environment at a
Student Counseling Center. I have also assisted individuals with developmental and intellectual
disabilities in the group home/workshop environment. Additionally, I am working towards becoming a Certified Personality Disorder Treatment Provider (C-PD).
Philosophy of Care:
I believe that anyone can benefit from therapeutic assistance. Throughout
our lives, our experiences contribute to how we approach and respond to situations and how
we view ourselves as well as the world around us. My approach to the therapeutic process
involves getting an understanding of people as they are and focusing on the needs in their
individual development. My goal is to identify a person’s intrinsic motivation to make the
necessary adjustments to navigate the obstacles in their life to achieve optimal mental and
emotional well-being, depression, life transitions, parenting, marital/couples counseling, stress, and mood disorders.
Katy van der Merwe, MS, LPC
Clinical focus:
For children- I enjoy working with children of any and varied diagnoses (Autism Spectrum Disorder, General or Social Anxiety, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) using Play Therapy techniques. For adults- traumatic experiences, family issues, domestic violence recovery, general anxiety, depression, adjustment struggles using the approach that best suits a client’s needs.
Professional Experience:I obtained a Clinical Mental Health Counseling Master’s degree from Tarleton State University and have spent the last 9 years working with children in an educational/developmental setting (ages 6mo.-12 years). This last year I have worked as a clinical intern and school counselor. My experience includes working with adult and child victims of domestic violence, children with various diagnoses (as listed above), and families who are immigrating/have immigrated to the United States.
Philosophy of Care:
Every person reserves the right to live free of the burdens which hinder them from being fully alive. As a counselor, I believe it is my job to partner in the unburdening process; to work alongside a client in identifying areas of trauma/difficulty and overcome obstacles using clinically proven interventions.
Maggie Thayer, M. Ed, LPC, EMDR therapist
Clinical Focus:
My clinical focus is offering you hope, relief, and practical skills in a world that can be overwhelming and stressful. I have experience working with trauma, stress, OCD, phobias, anxiety, academic challenges, family transitions, grief, relational aggression, and career burnout. I blend modern psychotherapy techniques and faith based principles to help my clients overcome various mental health issues and life’s challenges. I’m available for individuals and couples.
Professional Experience:
I received my Bachelor's of Science Degree in Multidisciplinary Students from McMurry University and my Masters of Education in Counseling and Development from Lamar University. I have 19 years of combined experience as a teacher and school counselor. I worked with students, their families, teachers, and academic success teams such as 504 and special education.
I am trained, and soon to be certified, in EMDR. I use a prescriptive therapy approach that includes DBT, CBT, and solution focused methods . I love connecting with clients to help them feel safe and truly seen. Then we work together to formulate your best treatment plan.
As an LPC-Associate and now a fully licensed LPC, my office home has been at Premiere Neurofeedback for over a year. I’ve worked with clients of all ages and stages of life. I enjoy helping clients set and achieve goals that improve their self worth, strengthen important relationships, and achieve a resilient and joyful outlook on the future. To achieve this, we will reset your nervous system by ending stuck emotional and physical cycles held deep in your body and implicit memory through the use of somatic and experiential therapies.
Focus of Care:
I enjoy helping my clients work through the struggles of life that we all face at one time or another. It is important to me that my clients leave our sessions with renewed hope and a plan for the future that is tailored to their goals and wishes.
Maggie is under the supervision of Dr. Kristy Donaldson, PhD, LPC-S, RPT-S™, CHST pursuing her credentials as a Registered Play Therapist (RPT).
Dr. John "Will" Ward, PhD, LCSW-S, M.Div.
John “Will” Ward, PhD, LCSW-S, M.Div. has over thirteen years of experience working with children and their families including in churches, schools, healthcare settings, and in-home therapy. Will holds his Doctorate of Social Work and Master of Divinity both from Baylor University. He is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and board approved supervisor in the State of Texas.
Will is passionate about helping children and families to repair attachment, learn regulation skills, and thrive in their communities. He specializes in emotional regulation and anger management with children. He has a particular interest in working with children diagnosed with mood disorders, ODD, and Reactive Attachment Disorder. He is a Certified AutPlay Therapy® Provider, a play therapy framework used to work with neurodivergent children such as kids with Autism. Will loves working with adult clients on attachment, family of origin issues, and loves to use Internal Family Systems (IFS). He is also trained in providing Cognitive Processing Therapy.
He is a certified PREPARE/ENRICH Facilitator and enjoys working with couples on a variety of issues including premarital counseling, parenting, and co-parenting. Will also loves to help clients walk through life stages such as grief, faith deconstruction, and reconstruction and loves working alongside the LGBTQ+ community. He utilizes play therapy techniques alongside Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and is also certified in Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavior Therapy (TF-CBT). Virtual appointments only at this time, limited openings.
Will is under the supervision of Dr. Kristy Donaldson, PhD, LPC-S, RPT-S™, CHST pursuing his credentials as a Registered Play Therapist (RPT).
Whitney Posey, MS, LPC, LCDC
Clinical Focus:
At Premier Neurofeedback Counseling Service, Whitney serves as a counselor for children,
teens, and adults. She specializes in supporting individuals experiencing a wide range of
challenges, including:
-Emotional and Mental Health: Anxiety, depression, stress, and mood or personality disorders.
-Trauma: Post-traumatic stress symptoms (PTSD).
-Neurodevelopmental & Childhood Concerns: ADHD and other developmental issues.
-Life Navigation: Identity exploration and assistance with life transitions.
-Leveraging her background as an LCDC, she also offers specialized support for substance use
and co-occurring disorders. Her practice is focused on empowering adults to build resilience,
cultivate self-awareness, and achieve lasting behavioral change.
Professional Experience:
Whitney Posey graduated from Tarleton State University in 2011 with her Bachelor’s of Science
in Psychology and graduated from Capella University with a Master’s of Science in Marriage
and Family Therapy in 2016.
Philosophy of Care
Whitney’s approach is fundamentally rooted in the belief that a thriving therapeutic alliance is
forged by meeting the client where they are—a principle she applies to all ages. To suit her
clients' unique needs, Whitney employs a variety of modalities, including:
-Trauma-Informed Care
-Child-Centered Play Therapy
-Cognitive-Behavioral Therapies (CBT)
- Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT)
-Person-Centered
-Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT)
Whitney is under the supervision of Dr. Kristy Donaldson, PhD, LPC-S, RPT-S™,
CHST pursuing her credentials as a Registered Play Therapist (RPT).
Jennifer Serrato, M.Ed., LPC
Clinical Focus:
My clinical focus as a therapist is centered on providing compassionate, individualized care to children, teens, and adults of all ages, helping them navigate life’s challenges and build emotional resilience. I have extensive experience supporting clients with anxiety, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), behavioral issues, peer relationship difficulties, and school-related concerns. In addition, I work with women navigating unique life transitions and challenges, as well as individuals coping with grief and loss. My practice also includes working with those managing obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), guiding them toward healthier coping strategies and improved quality of life. With a warm, collaborative approach, I strive to create a safe space where clients feel heard, supported, and empowered to grow.
Professional Experience:
I’m a proud Waco native with a heart for serving this incredible community. My journey began at The University of Texas at San Antonio, where I earned my Bachelor's in Psychology. After college, I returned home to Waco and spent eight wonderful years as a classroom teacher—an experience that deepened my love for supporting students and their families. Driven by a desire to make a deeper impact, I went back to school and earned my Master's in School Counseling. Since then, I’ve had the privilege of working with students, walking alongside them through life’s challenges and milestones. That path led me to pursue my license as a professional counselor. I am excited to begin working towards my licensure as a Registered Play Therapist as well as begin training to become EMDR certified.
Philosophy of Care:
I’m passionate about walking alongside individuals as they discover their inner strength and nurture their own growth. Over the years, I’ve had the privilege of working with children, teens, and families in a variety of community settings, and I truly believe that everyone deserves the chance to find happiness—no matter what challenges or past experiences they’ve faced.
As a therapist, I draw from a variety of counseling approaches to gently guide you in reshaping unhelpful thinking patterns, opening the door to positive changes in daily life. My heart’s goal is to create a safe, supportive space where you can experience the healing power of therapy and move toward a life that feels joyful, balanced, and deeply fulfilling.
Jennifer is under the supervision of Dr. Kristy Donaldson, PhD, LPC-S, RPT-S™, CHST pursuing her credentials as a Registered Play Therapist (RPT).