Meet the Therapists
Meet Shanaci Cook, LPC-S
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Shanaci is the owner and lead therapist at SCCC. She has always had a passion for helping people work through the struggles they face in life, set goals for change, and accomplish those goals.
It takes courage to go through counseling and face what you are going through, and she is here to walk alongside you and to help provide the tools to do so.
Shanaci offers research-based counseling and techniques to help guide and support her clients in a confidential and relaxed setting. Shanaci also offers supervision to aspiring
LPC-Associates and counseling practicum students.
Through her extensive background of training in Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TFCBT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR), she has gained much knowledge to help in providing the tools and skills in guiding couples, teens, and individuals to work through the struggles they face day to day and from their past. Because every client is unique in personality and background, Shanaci is able to tailor her services to fit the clients needs and situation.
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In her free time, Shanaci enjoys spending time with her husband and two sons by traveling, going to the movies, or trying new restaurants. Shanaci’s faith plays a big role in her life and she is active in her church. Being a native of Colorado, she enjoys traveling back home whenever possible to visit family and the Rocky Mountains. Shanaci has always had a love for counseling and helping clients achieve the change they deserve in life. ​
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Meet Irine Abraham, MTS, LMSW
Supervised by Dr. Cassidy Baker, LCSW-S
Meet Irine Abraham, a compassionate professional with 16 years of experience in healthcare and academia. She holds degrees in Theology, Social Work, and Rehabilitation Studies. Irine teaches at the University of Dallas and her research focuses on human behavior, spirituality, and social justice. In therapy, Irine creates a safe and welcoming space that supports a journey to wellness.
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With extensive experience practicing in a variety of evidence-based techniques, Irine values a person-centered, solution-focused approach: promoting strengths, family systems and faith in practice. Irine’s therapeutic methods include CBT, motivational interviewing, mindfulness, bereavement/grief counseling, and trauma/culturally informed care therapies.
Outside of work, Irine cherishes moments with her husband and two sons. They enjoy basketball, Boy Scouts, volunteering with their church, and traveling to new destinations around the globe. Whether you’re facing relationship struggles, or simply need someone to listen, connect with Irine to explore how therapy can make a positive difference in your life!
Alexis Dunn, LPC- Associate
Supervised by Shanaci Cook, LPC-S
Does life sometimes feel too heavy to carry? Are you having a hard time transitioning into the next stage of your life? Is the weight of stress, anxiety and/or depression consuming your life and causing you to be stagnant? Is unresolved, childhood trauma seeping into your adult life and affecting current relationships? Alexis agrees with psychiatrist K. Dabrowski who states, “emotional distress is potentially a sign of growth.” Together, we can figure out if these big feelings show up internally or externally and the best ways to navigate through them.
Alexis is a Licensed Professional Counseling-Associate who recognizes the journey of life is like a repetitive episode of how to turn lemons into lemonade. Some cups may be sour and some may be sweet, but it’s the perspective of each that determines our outlook moving forward.
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Earning her bachelor’s degree in child development with a minor in psychology from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, Alexis spent a lot of her undergrad years doing outreach in her community and working closely with poverty-stricken adolescents/teenagers. During her graduate program for counseling at Grand Canyon University, Alexis gained more experience and insight working with adults and couples. Alexis’s therapeutic approaches include cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), solution-focused brief therapy (SFBT), mindfulness, humanistic therapy and motivational interviewing (MI).
Traveling the world to experience new cultures and reading books for fun and educational purposes is how Alexis finds balance between her work and social life.
Courtney "Ann" Hightower, LPC-Associate
Supervised by Kelley E. Couture, LPC-S
Ann is an Associate Licensed Professional Therapist who believes in the tremendous capacity for human potential while recognizing the suffering that is inherent in life. She believes in the power of therapy to help navigate this struggle. Ann brings warmth and insight to this process. She believes counseling is a collaborative process.
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In her work at SC Counseling Center, Ann sees each client as a unique individual. She tailors her approach to meet the client's needs in an emotionally-safe environment and directing the natural process toward healing. Her goal is to support each client in developing compassionate self-awareness as issues are confronted.
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Ann brings a calm, supportive, non-judgmental presence to the counseling process. She offers individual counseling using a variety of evidence-based approaches, including cognitive behavior therapy, psycho-education, internal family systems, and coherence therapy. If desired, Ann is trained in spiritual leadership and direction, and can offer a spiritual component to the counseling process.
Ann has a Masters in Professional Counseling from Amberton University, is a member of the American Counseling Association, and she continues to receive professional training based on current research in the field. In her spare time, Ann enjoys regional travel (day trips), mystery novels, and improv classes.
Counseling Students
Practicum students pursuing licensure in professional counseling are supervised by Shanaci Cook, LPC-S and are available upon request.