4888 Dexter Drive, Suite 300-B Plano, TX 75093
FORMERLY BRIGHTER PATHS WELLNESS & COUNSELING
Dr. Robyn Richardson began her study of psychology in 1992. She grew up in a military family and has been educated in England as well as the United States. She earned a BA from the University of Texas at Austin. After working at a local group home for troubled youth, she returned to school to earn a MA in Counseling at St. Edward’s University in Austin, Texas.
Dr. Richardson moved to California in 2008 to earn a doctoral degree in 2013 from the California School of Professional Psychology. She has performed extensive research on chronic pain, mood disorders, and emotional regulation. With her roots and heart in Texas, she returned to the Rockwall area to work in nursing homes, provide therapy for private patients, and conduct disability assessments.
She has several years of experience working with adults, children and adolescents. In her spare time, she enjoys writing, jogging, and sculpting dolls from polymerclay. She has a strong belief in the importance of helping our community. She has worked as a Red Cross Volunteer and create and presented jewelry to patients of a local hospice in Austin, Texas. She has also volunteered at Meals on Wheels and Minnie’s Pantry in Plano, Texas.
Dr. Richardson is a dedicated mother, motivational speaker and entrepreneur. Brighter Paths Wellness and Counseling was established March 2019 with the goal of reaching Dallas residents with competent and compassionate therapy services second to none. Her love for helping others has grown into a professional practice that has a consistent goal of putting the client’s needs first.
Dr. Richardson is not currently accepting new clients, but may be in the near future.
Dr. Lysa Cage began her studies at the University of Michigan, earning a Bachelor of Science Degree in Psychology. She later earned both a Masters and Education Specialist Degree in School Psychology from the University of Toledo. Dr. Cage worked as a School Psychologist in Toledo Public Schools and Chicago Public Schools before returning to school and earning her Doctorate in Clinical Psychology from the Illinois School of Professional Psychology at Argosy in Chicago, Illinois.
With more than twenty years of experience, Dr. Cage has worked with individuals of all ages and in a variety of settings, such as community mental health, private practice, public schools, and university settings. While she specializes in individual therapy, she has also facilitated group therapy and provided psychoeducation with adolescents and adults.
While Dr. Cage typically utilizes a humanistic theoretical approach to therapy which explores the whole person and assumes individuals are motivated to reach their full potential, she also integrates various evidence-based techniques throughout the therapeutic process to provide effective strategies you may incorporate in your daily life to further assist in managing challenging experiences.
Dr. Cage can support you in working through a variety of challenges which may have resulted in feelings of anxiety, depression, grief and loss, and interpersonal difficulties. Dr. Cage believes that one of the goals in the therapeutic process is to provide you the space to express yourself fully and authentically while also strengthening your ability to work through a variety of situations.
In her free time, Dr. Cage enjoys spending time with family and friends, trying new restaurants, travelling, and having new experiences (whether or not they involve indoor or outdoor activities). Dr. Cage also enjoys volunteering in her community.
Dr. Cage is currently accepting new clients (In person and via Telehealth)
La Tricia Cleveland is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist Associate. She earned her Bachelor of Art and Performance from the University of Texas at Dallas and her Masters in Marriage and Family Therapy (MFT) from Capella University. With almost six years of experience, La Tricia enjoys helping couples, families, children, adolescents, and individuals to increase self-awareness and gain new perceptions as well as enhance their individual strengths to have a more meaningful life experience.
Her specialties include trauma, individual therapy, couples and family therapy, anxiety and depression, and adolescent (teen) psychotherapy.
She is a lover of the arts and, in her spare time, she continues to enjoy acting in the theatre as well as in independent films.
La Tricia Cleveland is a member of the following professional associations and organizations:
· Delta Kappa
· Chi Sigma Iota (CSI)
· The National Society of Leadership and Success
· The American Counseling Association (ACA)
· American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT)
La Tricia Cleveland is currently accepting new clients via Telehealth only, but will be available in person in the near future as well.
Tamara Starling is a doctoral candidate in the School Psychology program at Texas Woman’s University with six plus years of studies and practice in the field of psychology. She completed her predoctoral training with the Santa Barbara Psychology Internship Consortium (SB-PIC). Tamara completed her Bachelor of Science in Psychology at Texas Woman’s University. Her research has centered on the academic experiences of Black students at the K-12 and college level. Tamara studies the influence that social emotional learning programs (SEL) have on the coping abilities and academic self-efficacy of Black students. Her experiences include establishing and co-facilitating a support group on her university campus for Black undergraduate and graduate students and working with community partners and school districts to establish and co-facilitate a SEL curriculum for Black youth aged 14-19 in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex and rural Southern California.
Her clinical training includes neuropsychological assessment of children and adults with learning, behavioral, and social-emotional disorders. Tamara’s professional interests include exploring issues related to race and ethnicity for youth
and adults.
In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her family, watching musicals, and exploring Pinterest for new creative projects.
Tamara Starling is not currently accepting new clients.
Iklespette (Ikle) Maxwell is currently a PhD. candidate at Walden University. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree as well as a Master of Science degree in Counseling and Psychology from Troy State University, and a Master of Applied Psychology degree from Walden University. With over 10 years of experience in the counseling field, Ikle has worked with individuals, couples, families, and children in community settings, private practice, and crisis facilities. She has also worked with individuals with respect to crisis, substance abuse, life changes, and more.
Ikle specializes in Motivational Interview, Interpersonal Psychotherapy, and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and she enjoys working with individuals, couples, families, and groups to promote change to their worldview with evidence-based techniques and skills.
As a previous military dependent and military spouse, Ikle has had the pleasure of living in numerous places all over the world. She enjoys traveling and spending time with her family as well as reading, learning new things, and meeting new people. Her motto is “I think, therefore I am” by philosopher Rene Descartes.
Iklespette Maxwell is a member of the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority.
Iklespette Maxwell is currently accepting new clients on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.
_edited.jpg)
Elizabeth Smith is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and a doctoral practicum student who is working on her doctoral degree in Clinical Psychology at Capella University. She received her bachelor’s degree in social work from the University of Texas at Austin and her master’s degree in social work from the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor.
Elizabeth has a background in counseling individuals suffering from depression, anxiety, prenatal and postpartum depression, geriatrics, grief and loss, and individuals with chronic medical conditions. Since 2010, she has worked with a diverse population of clients including individuals primarily aged 12 years old and up.
Therapy may be something you have yet to do before today. However, I invite you to meet with me for a casual conversation. My goal is for you to feel welcome, at ease, and trust that I will give you a warm and safe space to talk. Counseling offers an objective perspective outside of friends and family that can help guide and support you through challenges you may be experiencing now.
We will discuss your reason for seeking counseling and your goals and see how well we might work together. I’m happy to see how I may help along the way with support, guidance, and trust in our conversations. Contact the office to set up an appointment today!
Elizabeth Smith is currently accepting new clients on Saturdays only (In person and via Telehealth)
Magdalene Mary Freeman is a predoctoral Intern at Brighter Paths Wellness and Counseling, LLC, Winter 2022-2023. She is currently completing her Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology with an emphasis in Forensic Psychology at the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Walden University. She obtained her Bachelor of Science in Human and Community Services from the State University of New York, SUNY Empire State College. This marked the starting point of her career in psychology. A year later, she gained admission into the School of Behavioral Science at Capella University and obtained a master’s degree in psychology with a specialization in Child and Adolescent Development.
Her professional career spans a total of 14 years as a counselor while serving at the Western State Psychiatric & Forensic Hospital located in Washington State, working as a Psychology Associate. She recently returned to school to complete her doctoral studies in psychology to support and build the psychological lives of diverse individuals diagnosed with chronic mental illnesses. She enjoys working with individuals rehabilitating with psychotic disorders, major depression, anxiety, PTSD, pervasive personality disorders, and so on. She utilizes an integrative theoretical approach to psychotherapy, which she believes can address all prodromal characteristics clients bring to the therapeutic relationship.
Magdalene Freeman is not currently accepting new clients.
As our services continue to evolve, we have formally changed our name from Brighter Paths Wellness & Counseling to Cerebral Counseling. We have been serving the North Dallas community with exceptional mental health services since 2019 and as we continue to deliver compassionate and effective mental health services, we will expand our services and scope. Our mission is to help you achieve the best version of yourself through coping strategies and empowerment. We are proud to offer our experienced group of diverse therapists who treat depression, anxiety, relational conflict, trauma, gender dysphoria, and pain management.
We are well versed in leading treatment approaches to combat mental struggles such as cognitive behavioral therapy, rational emotive therapy, group therapy, solution-focused therapy, couples therapy, family therapy, and unconditional positive regard. We conduct assessments for cognitive deficits, ADHD, Autism, and School 504 accommodations.
All of our therapists are passionate about mental health. They ensure that everyone who walks through the door gets the treatment they deserve. Give us a call to talk to one of our awesome therapists so you can begin your journey to a better life.