“Compassionist Counseling Services aims to win the war for mental health wellness by countering the destructive effects of shame with unconditional positive regard and unfettered compassion.”
Mission Statement - Nicole McDowell-Horn, Founder, Compassionist Counseling Services LLC
Compassionist?
Why “compassionist” instead of “compassionate”? That’s because compassion is my life philosophy. I seek to act with compassion not just in the therapy hour - but in every interaction in my life. In this way, I may be considered a “compassionist”; Or, a strong believer in compassion.
Compassionist Counseling Services Core Values
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The cornerstone of Compassionist Counseling Services LLC is, of course, compassion. Compassion has a unique ability to lower the defenses of those with hearts hardened against attacks. This softening and vulnerability is mandatory for therapeutic effectiveness, because you can’t pull a box through a locked shut door. Compassion is the key to unlocking that door with the message, “You are not alone”.
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Unconditional positive regard means no matter what circumstances you bring to the therapy hour, you will be respected and your strengths and achievements will be emphasized. I genuinely believe in your ability to overcome all odds - and I want to help, not judge.
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The freedom, power, and right of a client to direct their own mental health care is crucial to the therapeutic process. This means from start to finish, everything that is done in therapy is done with the client’s values, preferences, and needs, as well as efforts! Change doesn’t happen without you.
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Though we may suffer, we may make meaning out of our suffering and discover purpose for our lives. By building our understanding and tapping into our innate resilience, we can take power from those painful experiences and build a life anchored to our deepest values.
The Compassionist Therapy Team
Mark Cagle, LPC-S
My supervisor is Mark Cagle, LPC-S. Mark is a highly experienced and respected clinician in the state of Texas. Mark is not only a skilled therapist but also a compassionate and insightful mentor. His expertise spans trauma-informed care, Relational Life Therapy (RLT), and the complexities of working with neurodiverse individuals and relationships. He will help me help you better!
Welcome From Nicky!
Nicole (Nicky) McDowell-Horn, MA, LMHC, LPC-A
I am a licensed professional counselor associate (supervised by Mark Cagle, LPC-S) with a passion for helping others. I have a Master of Arts in Counseling, and I have independently sought and received training in motivational interviewing, DBT, inner child work, mindful self-compassion, and more. It is my life’s purpose to make meaning of what I have experienced by helping others fight their shame and transcend their own suffering. I love stories, whether it is in video games, movies, books, or people I meet - I hope you’ll share your story with me and show me how you want the next chapter to go!
