Courtney Strull, MS, LPC
Young Adults | Attachment | Anxiety | Life Transitions
By the time most people sit down across from me, they have already spent a long time holding everything on their own. They are capable. They manage a lot. And somewhere underneath the managing, there is a quieter question about why it still feels this heavy.
I know how intimidating it can be to walk into a room, sit across from someone you have just met, and start talking about the things you usually keep to yourself. I have been on the other side of that couch, so I do not take it lightly when you decide to begin. My work is to make the room steady enough that you do not have to perform, explain, or have it figured out before you sit down.
Growing up in my house was not always easy. I became the listener early, tuning into everyone else's problems so I would not have to sit with my own. I was the girl on the plane who somehow knew the whole story of the person next to her by the time we landed. Part of that was real curiosity. Part of it was fear, a way of staying busy with other people so I did not have to face the pain I had not learned how to process yet.
For a long time I kept asking myself why I was trying so hard and still felt no better. Things started to shift when I finally let a therapist help me make sense of my own story. It was not always comfortable, but it was honest, and it gave me room to feel things instead of working around them. I learned how to ask for help, how to say no, and how to start showing up for myself the way I had always shown up for everyone else.
Now, I help others do the same.
In session you will find warmth, honesty, and a little humor, because I do not think growth has to feel grim to be real. I will not pretend to have every answer, but I will stay fully present while we look at the patterns that keep repeating and the changes that would actually make your life feel different. Whether we are working through anxiety, untangling the way you relate to the people closest to you, or building steadier habits, you will not be doing it alone.
how i work
My approach is holistic and relationship-centered, which means I pay attention to the whole picture. How you think, how you relate, how you rest, and how you treat yourself when no one is watching. Some of the steadiest change I have seen comes when a client stops bracing against their own life and starts making decisions from clarity instead of fear. I often work with individuals moving through significant life transitions, especially seasons of identity shift, relational change, or burnout that has been building for a while.
I would be glad to learn your story and understand what life looks like from where you are sitting right now.
Professional Background
and Accreditation
I received my Bachelor’s degree in Psychology (with a minor in Sociology) from The University of Texas at Austin. While there, I assisted with research on gender and racial attitudes in children under Dr. Rebecca Bigler. I then earned my Master of Science in Counseling from Southern Methodist University, where I focused on adolescent psychology, trauma, parenting education, and play therapy.
I completed my practicum at the SMU Center for Family Counseling, working with clients presenting with depression, anxiety, and oppositional defiant disorder. I also led counseling groups during my internship with adult males on the Autism Spectrum through NonPareil and with high school girls at Prosper ISD through the Inspire program. In addition, I provided drop-in counseling at the University of North Texas’ Denton Wesley Foundation.
I continued developing my clinical expertise by facilitating groups at the Eating Recovery Center in Dallas and by working closely with children and families in both therapeutic and real-life roles - including years of experience nannying while completing my studies.
Today, I’m a Licensed Professional Counselor in the state of Texas and proud to be part of a practice that values authenticity, growth, and connection.
A Final Thought
What I hope for you is simple. I want to hear your story, help you find your way back to the parts of yourself that got set aside somewhere along the way, and stay alongside you as life keeps changing. You do not have to arrive with everything sorted out. You only have to be willing to begin.
Daphene Woods, MSW Lead Behavioral Health Counselor/Trainer Eating Recovery Center Dallas, Texas
"Courtney exemplifies integrity, grit, and humility as an extension of her therapeutic approach. Not only does she have a firm approach in planning, and implementing services to provide to a patient in need, but she is also compassionate, and empathetic. With Courtney, proper patient care is a fundamental she expands on and it is a direct reflection of her hard work in the Mental Health Field."
Brandy Schumann, Ph.D., Clinical Associate Professor, Dispute Resolution and Counseling, Southern Methodist University
“We all know it's tough to motivate ourselves toward change. Luckily, Courtney's energy is contagious. Her motivation combined with her gentle warmth and courageous honesty makes her uniquely effective.”
Kaitlin Sutherlin, MS, LPC-A, NCC, Therapist at Corbella Counseling
“I have had the pleasure of working with Courtney Strull in a clinical setting as a colleague. Courtney is an excellent therapist who is passionate about her job. She shows empathy and kindness to everyone she encounters. Courtney is dedicated to her clients and shows a genuine passion for helping them reach their full potential.”
Hal Barkley, Ph.D., LMFT-S, LPC-S, Counseling Program Director and Department Chair, SMU
“There are those who think about doing, and then there are those who do. Courtney Strull is the kind of counselor who will help you ‘do.’ Compassionate, intelligent, warm, and action-oriented, she embraces life and assists her clients in doing the same. In Courtney's approach to living, mountains are made for climbing, and she possesses those personal qualities and attributes to help her clients find their way to the top as well.”
Maegan Pollack, LCSW, Owner at New Hope Counseling & Wellness PLLC
“Courtney is a warm and compassionate person and counselor. She meets clients where they are and walks through their therapy journey with them. Her authentic nature provides a welcoming environment for clients to share their innermost feelings and thoughts.”
Laura Sokatch, M.S., Owner of Elis Legal Recruiting, LLC
“Courtney displays authenticity and genuine compassion for others in all that she does, and particularly for her clients in the development of the therapeutic relationship. She is warm, honest, knowledgeable and adaptable in her approach to the ever-changing needs of each individual as they progress in therapy. Courtney consistently provides servant-hearted leadership to others and is committed to always going the extra mile. No matter the challenges that a client may face, Courtney is steadfast in standing by their side as they navigate the many facets and complexities of the human experience.”
Jennifer Lewis RD, LD, CEDRD, Eating Recovery Center
“I have seen firsthand Courtney's passion for helping her clients overcome areas of difficulty in their lives. She goes about her work daily with skill and compassion. She's an excellent communicator and is devoted to providing the very best care to her clientele. I am confident that people of all ages will find her to be a wonderful, supportive therapist.”
