Meet the Gearing Up Counseling Staff

We are priveleged to include our outstanding Licensed Professional Counseling Staff at Gearing Up!

Andrea Cunningham, M.S., L.P.C.

Andrea Cunningham joins Gearing Up! after achieving a distinguished resume in child and adolescent psychology, psychological testing, family therapy and women's issues. An extremely warm and engaging therapist, Andrea approaches all cases with enormous compassion and concern. Her training in a variety of approaches along with her assessment experience have equipped her to deliver uncommon care to her patients. Andrea is a member of our psychological assessment team led by Dr. Milt Gearing who oversees all psychological evaluations at Gearing Up.

Among Andrea's many accomplishments are the following:

B.A. in Psychology, University of Texas at Dallas
Master of Science in Counseling Psychology, University of North Texas
Licensed Professional Counselor
Psychology Assistant, Dallas County Juvenile Department, Psychology Division
Experienced in Intellectual Assessment, Child and Adolescent Personality Testing, MMPI-2, MMPI-A, Adult Personality Testing, Attention Deficit Disorder Assessments
Expertise in play therapy, adolescent and family therapies, anger management, parenting, mood disorders, sexual abuse recovery, school difficulties, individual therapies with women

Joanne Grant, M.Ed. Licensed Professional Counselor, R.P.T.

A talented and insightful professional counselor, Joanne Grant joined Gearing Up in 2005. An authoritative professional in child and adult counseling, Joanne now offers a multitude of services that have benefited hundreds of North Texans over the last ten years. Her professional achievements include the following:

Bachelors in Psychology from the University of Pittsburgh
Masters in Counselor Education from the University of North Texas
Play therapy training from the University of North Texas which is the largest play therapy training facility in the world
Genesis Women's Shelter Counselor
Licensed Professional Counselor Supervisor
Registered Play Therapist Certification from the Association of Play Therapy
Member, The Association of Play Therapy
Licensed by the Texas Board of Examiners of Professional Counselors

Joanne specializes in child psychology, parenting issues, abuse issues in both women and children, depression and anxiety disorders, anger management, post-traumatic stress disorders, grief and loss issues, stress management. She has been married for many years and has an adult son residing in New York City. Gearing Up welcomed Joanne to our staff in 2005 and she now offers day, evening and Saturday appointments.

Jenifer Ware, M.S.Ed., L.P.C.

Possessing a warm and genuine persona, Jenifer Ware is a graduate of Baylor University with a B.A. in Psychology and a Masters of Science in Educational Psychology. As a Licensed Professional Counselor, she is a talented, insightful therapist with individuals of all ages. Whether she is working with couples in relationship therapy or a teenager in distress, she utilizes the latest developments in psychology to increase resilience, decrease negative thinking and empower her patients to succeed. Highly skilled in a variety of therapeutic formats including marital therapy, individual therapy for adults, adolescents and children, diagnostics crisis intervention, and anger management, Jenifer is a creative and innovative therapist. In addition, she works with Dr. Sylvia Gearing in the Empowered Child and Teen program. Together they team to teach parents and kids the fundamental skills of effective coping, creating high self-esteem and emotional management.

The following points illustrate Jenifer's unsurpassed record in the counseling field:

B.A. Baylor University, Psychology
M.Ed. Baylor University, Master of Science in Education
Licensed Professional Counselor
Licensed Member of the Texas State Board of Examiners of Professional Counselors
Child and Family Guidance Center, Plano, Texas, Qualified Mental Health Professional/Therapist
Grief and Loss Specialist
Superb Therapist for Adults, Adolescents and an Excellent Play Therapist for Children
The Empowered Child and Teen Program for Children and Parents (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Teaching Coping Skills and Stress Prevention Skills to Children, Teens, and Parents)
Specializes in Treating Depression, Anxiety, Social Anxiety, School Phobias, Marital Issues, Divorce Reactions in Children and Adolescents, Parenting Skills, Family Communication, Anger Management, and Increasing Self-Efficacy and Self-Esteem in Children, Teens and Adults

Melissa Woods, L.P.C.-S.

Highly accomplished counselor Melissa Woods joins Gearing Up with specialties in psychological testing and adolescent and adult therapies. Fluent in Spanish and equipped with over ten years of experience, Melissa possesses a keen understanding of a variety of psychological disorders, treatments and therapies. She is a specialist in psychological evaluations and she will be working with Dr. Milt Gearing in providing the most accurate psychological assessments for our clients. As a forensic evaluator, she has evaluated hundreds of adolescents, adults and their families for court. As an L.P.C. Supervisor, she has overseen countless other evaluations vital for the court. In addition, Melissa has spearheaded Family Training Programs, Anger Management Programs for individuals and families, and has conducted therapy and assessments in Spanish for many years.

At Gearing Up, Melissa offers psychological assessments, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Assessments, Learning Disabilities Testing, Educational Testing, individual counseling for children, teens, and adults, and family counseling. She is an expert in issues of abuse, abandonment, sexual assault, family communication, anxiety and depression. She is an invaluable member of our treatment team and offers appointments for assessment and treatment during the evenings or Saturdays.

Melissa's many accomplishments include the following:

Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, with a Minor in Spanish, Baylor University
Masters of Arts in Counseling, The University of North Texas
Licensed Member of the Texas State Board of Examiners of Professional Counselors.
Licensed Member of the Texas State Board of Examiners of Professional Counselors as an LPC Supervisor
Dallas County Juvenile Department Employee of the Year--Psychological Services, 1999
Dallas County Juvenile Department Employee of the Month, February 1999.
Dallas County Juvenile Department--Psychology Division, Staff, 1997 to March 2007
Early Childhood Intervention Therapy Group for Children (ages 3-12)
Conducts Therapy and Assessments in Spanish
Managed High Volume Referrals for Psychological Intervention in Psychological Department at the Dallas County Juvenile Department
Clinical Supervisor for Interns Completing the Masters Degree at the University of North Texas and Southern Methodist University
Clinical Supervisor of L.P.C. Interns