“We do not take our role as therapists lightly.”
Dr. Ahou Line
Dr. Ahou Vaziri Line is a Licensed Professional Counselor and Certified School Counselor in the state of Texas and holds a Registered Play Therapist credential. Ahou earned her Bachelor of Science in Psychology and Child Development from the University of Texas at Dallas. She is passionate about working with children and adolescents and started her career as a 7th and 8th grade teacher. During that time, her passion for working with the socioemotional needs of children as well as their families grew. As a result, Ahou decided to return to school and earned her Master of Science in Counseling from Southern Methodist University and then continued her education at The University of North Texas where she earned her Ph.D. in Counselor Education. Currently, Ahou is a Research Assistant professor at UNT where she trains graduate students in their pursuit of a career in counseling. In her time in academia, Ahou has authored several peer reviewed journal articles as well as book chapters educating counselors on working with parents, supporting Middle Eastern children and families, and in training preservice educators to consider counseling skills in their works as teachers.
Ahou’s clinical experience includes work in private practice, university clinical settings, school counseling, and providing play therapy within the schools. Ahou has received extensive training in many treatment modalities including play therapy, group play therapy, filial therapy, activity therapy, group counseling, and talk therapy. Ahou has gained a variety of experiences with clients of all ages and many different counseling concerns including perfectionism, parenting concerns, sibling conflict, autism spectrum disorder, depression, and anxiety. Moreover, she has received extensive training in the administration and interpretation of a variety of psychoeducational assessments.
Ahou strives to create a warm, comfortable, and safe environment for each client. She works to understand individuals holistically and strives to act as a partner as they create their own goals for counseling and progress through their journey towards meaningful change. Though Ahou has additional training and certifications in working with children and parents, Ahou works with clients of all ages and thoroughly enjoys working across the lifespan. When working with children, Ahou values the relationship with both the child and the parents and works collaboratively with parents to help make necessary changes within the family. When working with adults, Ahou strives to create a safe environment where individuals can express themselves without judgment. Ahou truly believes that “people change when they feel free not to change”. Additionally, Ahou is bilingual, speaking both English and Farsi.
When Ahou isn’t teaching or working with clients, she enjoys spending time with her two dogs, 2 year old daughter, and husband.
“What words come to mind when I think of Ahou? Kind. Honest. Empathetic. Genuine. Smart. The list goes on. She is an incredible therapist and human. She has the ability to create a tremendous sense of safety while supporting her clients as they navigate through life. It is a gift. I am forever grateful that our paths crossed. I am a better person and therapist because of her.
To go to a therapist, whether for yourself or for your child, takes a significant amount of courage. You have reached a point in life in which you feel overwhelmed and are unsure how to walk through what lies ahead. Finding the right person to walk alongside you is a remarkably important aspect of this process. Ahou is that person.”
— KRISTINA MCCOOK, ABOUT AHOU
Kristina McCook
Kristina is a Licensed Professional Counselor and Registered Play Therapist. She earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Spanish from Austin College and her Master of Science degree in Counseling from Southern Methodist University. While at SMU, Kristina was recognized with the SMU Emerging Leader Award. She has received extensive training in a variety of modalities including play therapy, activity therapy, therapeutic parenting, group counseling and talk therapy.
Kristina works with adults, as well as children, adolescents, and teens, and their families. Her expertise includes a variety of presenting issues including anxiety, depression, self esteem/self concept, grief, divorce, learning differences, and life transitions. Kristina’s experience spans a variety of settings, including private practice, inpatient, and intensive outpatient programs. Additionally, Kristina has a background in administering and interpreting psychoeducational assessments to aid parents in understanding their child’s learner profile.
Kristina views each client holistically, knowing that each person’s story is unique. She strives to provide a warm, accepting environment that allows clients to feel safe, heard and understood. Kristina utilizes a variety of therapeutic interventions to develop each individual’s innate capacity for positive growth. When working with children, she places great value on the child-parent relationship, working directly with parents in a collaborative manner to facilitate positive change.
Kristina resides in Dallas with her husband and two kids. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with family and friends, walking her dogs, and cooking.
“I have never in my life met someone who is such a perfect mix of empathy, kindness, honesty, and humor. Kristina is someone who can sit with you in your deepest sorrow and also make you laugh so hard it hurts. She is direct while also being incredibly passionate. I think Kristina’s biggest strength as a therapist is her deep intentionality. She cares so deeply for every single client and gives so much of herself in the process. When she listens, I feel seen and heard. Every interaction with her feels as though there is nowhere else on the planet she would rather be.
Kristina is the best therapist I know. She is nurturing, caring, and meticulous. Her own experience as a mother also provides safety and honesty when working with children and parents alike. My only complaint about Kristina is that she can’t be my therapist!”
— AHOU LINE, ABOUT KRISTINA
