Deborah Parker, PhD, LPC-A

Deborah Parker View Specialties


As an LPC-Associate, my goal is to empower you to make positive, lasting changes. I work under the supervision of Dr. Angela Waggoner in Texas. I earned a Master’s degree from Liberty University in 2008, and I earned a Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology from the University of Southampton. I recently completed a Master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Capella University. I am certified in mindfulness-based stress reduction and certified clinical trauma professional. I have 20 years experience working with children, adolescents, and families in crisis. I utilize trauma-informed care as I teach mindfulness techniques for emotional regulation to help manage anxiety, depression, anger, and other difficulties.
 
Let's talk about trauma. What Does Trauma Look Like?
 
Children – rages, extreme friendliness (no “stranger danger”), tearfulness, thumb-sucking, whining, separation anxiety, defiance, regressive behaviors (bedwetting after being dry), sexualized behaviors, depression, school behavioral problems, detachment, zoning out, need for increased structure, poor affect regulation.

Adolescents – anger, significant behavior and mood changes, distrust of others, promiscuity, school behavior and performance issues, truancy, court involvement, substance abuse, defiance, running away, high risk behaviors, depression, self-injury, suicidal and/or homicidal ideation, isolating behaviors, extreme compliance, zoning out, bullying.

Adults – anger issues, anxiety, depression, difficulty with developmental expectations, inconsistent employment, unstable relationships, distrust of others, poor boundaries, difficulty parenting, substance abuse, disengagement, controlling behaviors.
 
Did you know that traumatic childhood events may impact the nervous system?  It can have lasting effects on specific cranial nerves.
 
Cranial Nerve #7:  The Facial Nerve.  When a child experiences trauma, abuse, or neglect it can affect the Facial Nerve.  The Facial Nerve feeds the middle ear muscles.  The impact of abuse or neglect can result in the middle ear muscles functioning improperly.  This further results in background noises interfering with the child's ability to distinguish words and sounds of the human voice.
 
A child experiencing this kind of difficulty will look directly at you but not seem to be listening.  That's because they are trying to figure out what you're saying and what it all means in terms of what is being expected of them. This child may have speech problems.  They may not form words correctly because they have difficulty differentiating words from the background noises such as air conditioners, heaters, or refrigerators.

Cranial Nerve #10: The Vagus Nerve. These are actually a pair of nerves that control the heart, the lungs, and the digestive system as part of the parasympathetic nervous system.  When impacted, kids may have digestive issues as well as bedwetting and elimination issues.

The Vagus Nerve serves the stress response.  When impacted, there is dysregulation of the autonomic state, the expression of emotions, and social behaviors.  Children with Vagus Nerve issues will have extreme emotional outbursts, core meltdowns, and violent reactions to seemingly minor things.

Deborah Parker Reaches

Houston TX
Dallas TX

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