Guiding Compass Counseling

Dr. Julie Ballinger PhD LPC-S RPT-S BCN

Licensed Professional Counselor Supervisor

Registered Play Therapist Supervisor

Board Certified Neurotherapist

Certified HeartMath Practitioner

Certified Mindfullness Meditation Teacher

I believe we all experience periods of stability and order, as well as challenge and uncertainty throughout our lives. I trust that periods that require change can be successfully negotiated through self-exploration and self-compassion. My role as a counseling professional is to create and maintain a supportive, empathic, collaborative environment where you feel safe to explore yourself and experiment with different solutions to life challenges. To assist in this process I help you choose from a variety of techniques, including talk, biofeedback, relaxation, meditation, therapeutic writing, personal insight exercises, body-focused exercises, expressive art, and/or behavioral experiments. Regardless of the methods utilized, the primary goal is for us to work collaboratively to maximize your inherent potential for personal growth and desired change.

I am a Licensed Professional Counselor, Registered Play Therapist, Board Certified Neurotherapist and Certified HeathMath Practitioner. I earned my Ph.D. in counseling from the University of North Texas (UNT) in May 2013. I am partner and co-owner of Guiding Compass Counseling in Flower Mound, Texas. In addition to my counseling practice, I teach graduate counseling courses at the University of North Texas. My advanced training has prepared me to help people across the life-span enrich their lives through self-discovery and interpersonal connection.

My journey toward the counseling profession began with a need to find purpose and meaning following the tragic loss of my sister and her two beautiful boys at the hands of her husband. I realized then that although humans can be tragically flawed, through forgiveness, empathy, and compassion the heart can be healed. Although the privileges of motherhood occupied most of my time, I managed to negotiate advanced education and have finally obtained the training I need to be of service to the heart.

My dear husband and I have now successfully launched three amazing, talented, and loving sons into the world; and in July 2014 we welcomed our first daughter-in-law into our embrace.

I am excited about sharing pieces of the wisdom gained from my journey and l feel privileged about this opportunity to help my fellow travelers learn something new about themselves along the way. Namaste.