This is me
Most people call me Newt. It's nice to meet you.
I am currently pursuing a Master's degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. In my practicum and internship at Leeke Magee Christian Counseling Center, I completed 840+ supervised hours (280+ direct), providing trauma-informed individual counseling to adults ages 18–76 presenting with anxiety, depression, PTSD, and OCD, using EMDR, CBT, and ACT.
My professional and volunteer experiences have taken me beyond the counseling office. I have spent time living and working alongside refugee communities in Malaysia, Iraq, and the U.S., learning firsthand the importance of cultural humility, trust-building, and understanding the impact of displacement, trauma, and resilience. These experiences will shape the way I approach counseling with individuals from diverse cultural, religious, and linguistic backgrounds.
I am trained in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), and EMDR 2.0, and am in the process of completing Gottman Method Couples Therapy Training (Levels 1 & 2), and the Foundations of Story-Informed Trauma Therapy.
Clinical Interests
- Trauma and complex PTSD, including EMDR-based treatment
- Refugees, displacement, and resettlement
- Arab and MENA communities and culturally responsive care
- Levantine (Syrian) Arabic, an intermediate conversational ability I bring to building trust with Arabic-speaking clients and families
For a closer look at this focus, read my graduate paper Restoring Dignity, on culturally responsive trauma care for Arab clients affected by conflict.
I am a counselor-in-training and not currently accepting clients.
For my writing, art, and other projects, visit bnewt.com.