Meet the Team Behind Houston's Most Integrated Trauma Practice

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. 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. 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 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 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 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.

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).

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 believes it takes courage to prioritize mental health, so it is important to her that clients feel safe, heard, and understood.

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. 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.

Tyler Lemmons is a Licensed Master Social Worker who earned her Master’s in Social Work from the University of Houston Graduate College of Social Work. She brings experience in grief support, trauma-informed care, and somatic practices to her clinical work. Tyler is trained in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) and is passionate about creating peaceful, attuned, and nonjudgmental spaces for clients to safely explore their inner world.

Tyler approaches therapy through a lens of clinical and cultural humility, believing in her clients’ inherent wisdom, resilience, and capacity for healing. She integrates grounding techniques, mindfulness, and a warm, relational approach to create safe, collaborative spaces where clients can process pain and build inner resilience.

Tyler has worked extensively with underserved children, teens, and adults, bringing a systems-based lens to her work. She has a special interest in supporting clients who are processing religious trauma, navigating grief, and exploring the impact of early life experiences and family dynamics.

Ryan is a Licensed Master Social Worker, earning his BA in Philosophy and Master’s in Social Work at The University of Houston. Ryan has worked in inpatient, outpatient, and community treatment settings, helping clients across all stages of their growth process. He has worked with clients in acute crises around substance use, suicidality, depression, anxiety, adjustment disorders, and psychosis.

Ryan does most of his work through a psychodynamic lens, helping clients get clear on their own motivations. If you’re someone who has all the coping tools, every reason to make a change, but still find yourself stuck or repeating old patterns, Ryan’s deliberate approach may be the nudge to get you where you want to go.

Ryan worked as a Milieu Manager for The Prevention and Recovery Center, as a Clinical Intern at The Council on Recovery, and currently works as an Addictions Counselor at The Menninger Clinic.

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.

Briana also specializes in Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TCBT) for children and teens, making her an excellent fit for adolescent clients dealing with anxiety, depression, ADHD, or behavioral issues.

Stephanie Bender brings over 14 years of experience as a case manager in various professional settings to her role as Neurofeedback Coordinator at Connect Clinical Services. Her interest in integrative therapeutic solutions, neuroplasticity, and Neurofeedback has driven her to explore how the brain can be retrained to optimize well-being and improve performance in individuals with ADHD, anxiety, depression, substance abuse, trauma, and other mental health concerns.

Stephanie has completed certification training as a Neurofeedback specialist. She has been instrumental in integrating Neurofeedback into the continuum of care for a partial hospitalization program, intensive outpatient programs, and private practice settings. Her expertise in qEEG brain mapping and brain training protocols supports the practice’s mission of providing data-driven, neurobiologically informed treatment.

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

Dorothy takes pride in helping connect individuals with the right therapist and resources to meet their needs. She understands that reaching out for support is a big step, and her goal is to make that process seamless and welcoming. Whether you need assistance with scheduling, navigating insurance, or learning more about our therapy services, Dorothy is here to guide you every step of the way.

Gabrielle serves as a Neurofeedback Technician at Connect Clinical Services, providing excellent care and assistance for your neurofeedback therapy needs. She works directly with clients during qEEG brain mapping sessions and neurofeedback training, ensuring each session runs smoothly and that clients feel comfortable with the process.

Gabrielle’s hands-on role in delivering neurofeedback services supports the practice’s integrated approach, where brain training works alongside EMDR, Brainspotting, and Somatic Experiencing to produce comprehensive results.