Guy Bender

CEO / Clinical Director

Licensed Professional Counselor

Expertise: EMDR Therapist
Brainspotting Therapist
Trauma Specialist
Neurofeedback Practitioner
Treatment Placement Consultant

Guy Bender brings over 16 years of experience in the mental health field to his role as Practice Owner and Clinical Director of Connect Clinical Services. With a commitment to clinical excellence, Guy oversees the delivery of trauma-focused care, ensuring that clients benefit from evidence-based, integrative therapeutic approaches. His extensive background as a trauma specialist and leader in program development equips him to guide a team of compassionate and highly skilled clinicians in providing exceptional care.

Guy began his career as a trauma specialist at a premier treatment center in Arizona, where he recognized that many mental health challenges—such as anxiety, depression, addiction, and substance abuse—are rooted in physical and emotional trauma. This realization shaped his professional focus, leading him to pursue advanced training in trauma-focused modalities, including EMDR, Brainspotting, Internal Family Systems (IFS), and Neurofeedback.

Guy has earned advanced certifications and specialized training in EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing), working with luminaries such as Richard Schwartz, founder of Internal Family Systems, and Peter Levine, originator of Somatic Experiencing. Additionally, as a trained Neurofeedback practitioner, he remains passionate about the neuroscience and brain-body connection, integrating these insights into the practice's therapeutic philosophy.

Guy’s leadership experience extends beyond clinical care. He has served in key roles, including Director of Operations and Clinical Director at Heights Treatment in Houston, TX, where he was instrumental in designing and implementing a comprehensive outpatient program. These experiences allowed Guy to develop a keen ability to integrate evidence-based practices with cutting-edge therapeutic interventions to improve treatment outcomes.

At Connect Clinical Services, Guy combines his clinical expertise with his leadership acumen to create a practice environment that prioritizes innovation, collaboration, and individualized care. While his role focuses on guiding the team and overseeing program quality, his influence ensures that every client receives trauma-focused care of the highest standard.

Under Guy’s leadership, Connect Clinical Services is committed to helping clients heal and thrive, offering innovative approaches that address trauma at its root while fostering resilience and well-being.

Shannon Tantillo

Licensed Clinical Social Worker

Expertise: Certified EMDR Therapist
Trauma Informed Yoga
Addictions

 

Shannon is a licensed clinical social worker and is licensed in Chemical dependency counseling. Shannon also holds a certification as a clinical social worker supervisor.

Shannon has over 30 years of experience in the mental health field, working in various settings, including research, detox, residential, partial hospitalization, intensive outpatient, and private practice. Shannon has specialized training in trauma-informed yoga, Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR). She also uses strengths-based, client-centered, relational, systems theory, Motivational Interviewing (MI) Harm reduction, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), and Choices Theory. Shannon is versed in various recovery programs, including SMART, Refuge, and 12-step.

Shannon brings a rich diversity of working with adolescents, adults, couples, and families to her therapy practice. Shannon has a high aptitude for cultural sensitivity and has expertise working with HIV, GLBTQI, and other religious or secular backgrounds and various alternative community circles.

Marina Erbstoesser

LMFT-S, LCDC, CSAT

Expertise: Sexual and Behavioral Addictions Support for Partners and Family Members Impacted by Addictions
Trauma-Informed Therapy

Marina is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist Supervisor (LMFT-S), Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor, Certified Sex Addiction Therapist (CSAT), and Certified Multiple Addiction Therapist (CMAT-Tech) with over ten years’ experience practicing in Houston. She has experience in various settings including residential and outpatient care, and in her previous position, developed and managed the Recovery Intensive Outpatient Program at The Menninger Clinic. Marina is enthusiastic about supporting her clients achieve their recovery goals and facilitate personal growth. She specializes in the treatment of multiple addictions including substance misuse, as well as behavioral addictions such as problematic sex, relationships, pornography, and technology use. 

Marina views mental health through a family systems lens and understands the challenges partners and family members feel when a loved one is struggling. These difficulties can often manifest as anxiety, depression, and even physical symptoms. Marina employs evidenced based therapies including Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) to reduce distress for her clients and promote healing. She is a Certified Clinical Trauma Professional (CCTP) and is a member of the International Institute for Trauma & Addiction Professionals (IITAP) and the local Houston Texas Association of Addiction Professionals (TAAP) chapter. In her personal time, she loves to travel and enjoys staying active in nature through hiking, paddleboarding, and skiing. 

Vanessa Green

Licensed Professional Counselor

Expertise: EMDR
DBT (Dialectical Behavioral Therapy)

Vanessa is a Licensed Professional Counselor and a Nationally Certified Counselor. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Human Nutrition and Foods from the University of Houston and a Masters of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from the University of Houston - Clear Lake. Her clinical experience includes individual therapy, group therapy, and neurofeedback in residential, partial hospitalization, and intensive outpatient settings. Vanessa utilizes Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, and Solution-Focused therapy to help clients struggling with challenges such as trauma, self-esteem, PTSD, disordered eating, substance abuse, grief, depression, anxiety, and boundary issues.

Vanessa practices from a multicultural perspective in which she emphasizes the client's personal values and culture within the counseling process. She holds space for clients to process and explore solutions for the issues they are experiencing in each season of their lives. Vanessa believes it takes courage to prioritize mental health, so it is important to her that clients feel safe, heard, and understood. She strives to empower individuals to be vulnerable and open so they can find freedom in their mental health and live life more abundantly.

Sarah McGinnis

Licensed Professional Counselor

Expertise: Somatic Experiencing Narrative Therapy and EMDR

Sarah McGinnis is a Licensed Professional Counselor in the state of Texas, she holds a Master of Science from the University of Houston and has experience working in various settings, including partial hospitalization, intensive outpatient, and private practice.

Sarah specializes in Narrative Therapy, a treatment modality based on the premise that life can be viewed as a story with an ending not yet written. Thus, there is room for rewriting and new interpretations of one’s own story. She is also trained in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) and Somatic Experiencing and focuses on supporting and facilitating the healing process of physical, sexual, and relational traumas.

Sarah is known for her warm, caring nature that creates an atmosphere of unconditional acceptance which is tempered by her ability to challenge her clients for optimal growth.  Sarah believes that psychological healing involves a spiritual connection to something greater than oneself.

Marcela Rodriguez

Licensed Professional Counselor -Associate
Licensed Marriage and Family therapist -Associate

Supervised by Candice Tillman, LPC-S

Expertise: EMDR, Internal Family Systems (IFS) working with adults, and teens.

Marcela earned a Masters of Education in Marriage and Family counseling at Lamar University and a Bachelors of Science in Psychology at the University of Houston. As a trauma therapist, Marcela is dedicated to supporting clients on their journey of self-discovery and healing.

With a client-centered approach, she provides empathy and unconditional positive regard, walking alongside individuals as they navigate their challenges and embrace their true selves. Her focus is on helping clients create internal safety and address the impact of trauma on their well-being. Marcela has specialized training in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) and Internal Family Systems (IFS) working with adults, children, and teens who have experienced trauma and distressing symptoms. As a EMDR parent-child specialist, Marcela also incorporates Attachment-Informed EMDR to heal intergenerational
wounds and strengthen parent-child attachment bonds.

Additionally, Marcela has experience using creative arts, and sand tray therapy to engage different parts of the brain. “Working with clients facing challenges like perfectionism, trauma, low self-esteem, anxiety, and panic attacks brings me immense fulfillment."

Darryan King

Licensed Professional Counselor -Associate

Supervisor Cassie Reid Ph.D LPC-S

Expertise: EMDR, Neurofeedback Technician

Darryan is a Licensed Professional Counselor Associate at Connect Clinical Services. She completed her Master's Degree at King’s University located in Southlake, Texas. She obtained her Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science from Texas A&M University, where she became enthralled by curiosity about the human experience.  Darryan is a Neurofeedback technician and has specialized training in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR). She has experience working with children, adolescents, and adults in professional settings, including early childhood education, before and after-school programming, youth ministry, and business management. Darryan loves supporting individuals on their wellness journey, deepening their understanding of self, identifying maladaptive coping strategies, and helping equip them with tools for healthy processing, practical communication, and goal achievement.

Briana Dergent

Licensed Clinical Social Worker

Expertise: EMDR, CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy), TCBT (Trauma focused Behavioral Therapy for children and teens), ADHD, Bi-Polar Disorder

Briana received her Bachelors of Science in Child Development and Family Living from Stephen F. Austin State University and her Masters in Clinical Social Work from the University of Houston. She works with a myriad of issues including depression, anxiety, trauma, ADHD, bipolar disorder and stress. Briana has a general interest in working with individuals with trauma and does EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing). She uses a client centered approach to help clients reach their own goals and aspirations for their lives. Briana’s ultimate goal is for clients to feel empowered and equipped with the skills they need to navigate life’s challenges, and live fulfilling lives.

Stephanie Bender

Expertise: Neurofeedback Coordinator

Gabrielle McTopy

Client Care Coordinator

 

 

As the Client Care Coordinator at Connect Clinical Services, I am here to ensure that every aspect of your experience with us is as smooth and supportive as possible. From your initial inquiry to scheduling appointments and answering any questions you may have, I’m dedicated to helping you feel comfortable and well-cared-for throughout your journey.

With a passion for providing compassionate service, I take pride in helping connect individuals with the right therapist and resources to meet their needs. I understand that reaching out for support is a big step, and my goal is to make that process seamless and welcoming for you.

Whether you need assistance with scheduling, navigating insurance, or learning more about our therapy services, I’m here to help guide you every step of the way. Please don’t hesitate to reach out—I look forward to supporting you!