Meet The Team & Schedule

Shemila: Mid Cities Counseling Center, PLLC's mission is to provide individualized, high-quality mental health care on a personal level. As a psychotherapist and mental health counselor, I have created a practice that I believe in and would choose for my own family members. It is never easy to reach out for help, but it is the first step to a journey towards peace and joyful living.

After serving Combat Veterans' throughout Central Texas for many years, I decided to move closer to my family and establish my current practice serving DFW and the Mid Cities. I have a focus on starting where the client is and believe in working with my patients to maintain and improve their mental health and emotional well-being. We work together to create balance and peace during all stages of life. I provide services in a friendly, relaxed atmosphere.

I graduated from the University of Texas at Arlington with a Masters of Science in Social Work. I hold a Bachelor of Science in Social Work from The University of North Texas. I am certified by the American Board of Social Worker Examiners and come to my practice with over 19 years of experience in diagnosis and treatment of mental disorders. I am a member of the National Association of Social Workers, in good standing, Academy of Clinical Social Workers and Certified Social Worker in Health Care. I am a member of the Association of VA Social Workers. I am also certified in the Prepare Enrich assessment for pre-marital and married couples, Gottman Trained and EMDR Trained.

Schedule with Shemila!

Julia: I have been working in the DFW area with individuals and families for several years. I want to help you with your daily struggles or through an unusually difficult time. I have experience working with anxiety, trauma, and depression. I love working with children and adults. My main theory of practice is cognitive-behavioral therapy. I have experience working with the tribunal process of the Catholic Church. I would love to help you with the annulment process.

I am a Licensed Professional Counselor in the State of Texas. I have a Bachelor of Science degree in Rehabilitation from the University of North Texas and a Master of Science degree in Professional Counseling from Texas Wesleyan University.

Schedule with Julia!

Lori: I enjoy the opportunity to walk alongside clients as they make strides toward accomplishing their goals or through the anxieties that life may bring. Most recently, I have practiced in an inpatient psychiatric hospital setting with a primary focus on CBT, Solution Focused Therapy and Crisis Management. I love working with adults, adolescents and couples. I am Gottman Trained.

I earned a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology Pre-Counseling from Oklahoma Baptist University. I earned a Masters in Social Work from the University of Texas at Arlington. I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in the State of Texas.

Schedule with Lori!

Arlene: Arlene Kauffman is a Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist, psychotherapist who provides counseling to individuals, couples, and families primarily using Experiential, Solution-Focused, and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. Her approach can be eccentric, direct, and playful. As such, she has been blessed to be told by numerous clients how no one has ever listened or really heard them, until now. From her pleasant welcoming office, to her genuine affable manner, Ms. Kauffman collaboratively works with and where her clients are.

She is a Certified Clinical Trauma Professional and a Certified Anger Management Counselor, continuing to educate herself, hone her craft, and collect various tools to help her many diverse clients. Though Mondays may pose as a trial, Ms. Kauffman looks forward to each week as an opportunity to help others heal, recognize strength and abilities, and acknowledge that we are all a work in progress, that we are enough, and we that can create our own happily ever after.

Ms. Kauffman is married to her very own “Indiana Jones” for 33 years and counting, have 3 incomparable sons comfortable enough to play pranks on her and volunteer her talent for baking on a semi-regular basis, a daughter-in-law, and a grandson she is entitled to spoil. So, if you don’t find her in the kitchen on her day off, she is either tending to her growing garden, jewelry making, or upcycling treasures she’s either found at garage sales or thrift stores.

Schedule with Arlene!

Alexis: I am a Licensed Professional Counselor with a Master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. I am passionate about helping the children, adolescents, couples, and young adults in the community. I believe that most people are fighting some sort of battle that nobody knows about. I am motivated to help you or your loved one navigate through their current struggles by utilizing a client-centered, solution-focused, cognitive behavioral approach type of approach. It is important that I create a safe, non-judgmental, and trusting environment, so that I can aid in helping you reach your therapeutic goals.

Majority of my experience has been working with adolescents and adults on a psychiatric inpatient and outpatient unit. I am looking forward to walking with you on your journey to a happier and healthier life.

Schedule with Alexis!

Angela: After serving in administrative roles in the healthcare field for many years, my love for helping others inspired me to pursue a career in counseling. I view each person as special and unique with a history, story, and journey all their own. At times in that journey, we may face trials or challenges which become difficult to navigate alone. I consider it a privilege to walk alongside individuals during these times, and partner with them in reaching a place of healing and hope. I enjoy working with individuals from all phases of life from teens to young adults through retirement age adults, as well as couples. I have experience working in areas such as anxiety, depression, grief, and trauma. I am a Licensed Professional Counselor in the State of Texas. I earned a Master of Arts in Professional Counseling degree from Dallas Baptist University as well as a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology degree from Dallas Baptist University. In addition to my educational experience, I bring my own personal life experience with me in relating to and connecting with others.

Schedule with Angela!

April: Let me meet you where you are, and together we can take this journey. Through my years of working in the military, school setting, partial hospitals and during my time as a professor I have developed a strong passion for helping individuals figure out “who they are, how they are and why they are”. I use an eclectic approach in order to meet the needs of my clients, and together we can figure out all of the whos, whats, whens, hows and wheres of this thing we call life. I look forward to working and growing with you and building on your authentic self and life aspirations.

I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in the State of Texas. I graduated from Texas Christian University with my Masters in Social Work. I also hold a graduate certificate in Women and Gender Studies. My undergraduate degree is in Psychology from Eastern New Mexico University. I finished my Bachelors while serving in the United States Air Force as a Medic. I enjoy working with adolescents, LGBT+ populations, young adults, and couples.

Schedule with April!

Cole is a dedicated Rehabilitation Counseling Intern driven by a genuine passion for guiding individuals through life's challenges. With a strong background in working with youth and people with disabilities, Cole brings a more playful and direct approach to counseling. Cole is well-versed in tailoring his approach to meeting clients right where they are. He incorporates a Cognitive Behavioral and Acceptance based approach with his clients.

Cole's therapeutic style is deeply rooted in humanistic principles,making every client feel valued and respected. His holistic approach aims to empower clients to discover their inner strengths and foster a sense of belonging within themselves. Cole holds a Bachelor of Kinesiology from Texas Tech University and is currently in his final semester at The University of North Texas finishing his Masters in Rehabilitation Counseling and will be pursing his LPC. His dedication to his client's well-being and growth sets him apart as a counselor who genuinely cares about making a positive impact in their lives. 

Sharla is a Licensed Masters Social worker With experience in numerous areas of social work, including medical social work, a partial hospitalization program for teens and with children in foster care. I have a Bachelors of Communication from the University of Texas in Arlington and a Masters of Social Work also from UTA. I love working with children, teens and adults. It’s a great feeling to help individuals, families and couples develop tools that they can use to meet their own goals and work out solutions that are right for them.Coming from a communication background, I feel that good communication skills are key to most relationships and love helping empower families by teaching them how to improve their lines of communication. The primary modes of therapy that I use are client centered, solution-focused therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy. I love an indirect play therapy approach when working with young children.

Schedule with Sharla!