Connor Cook

I am a pre-licensed counselor supervised by Dr. Abby Candelari, Licensed Psychologist, who works with children (5+), adolescents, and adults struggling with anxiety, academic stress, life transitions, and the social and emotional challenges of growing up. As both an educator and a parent, I understand firsthand the pressures young people face today and the challenges families encounter as they try to support them.

Before entering the counseling field, I spent more than two decades working in independent schools and currently serve as Head of Middle School at River Oaks Baptist School. Throughout my career in education, I have worked closely with students and families navigating academic pressures, social challenges, and the emotional ups and downs that often accompany childhood and adolescence. Over time, I came to see how deeply mental health influences students’ learning, relationships, and overall well-being. That realization led me to pursue graduate training in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Lamar University, where I am currently completing my practicum and internship.

My background as an educator, school leader, parent, and pre-licensed counselor gives me a unique perspective in therapy. Because I have spent much of my career working within schools, I understand the academic and social pressures students face today—including test anxiety, social anxiety, and performance pressures—and the challenges families encounter as they try to support them. Under the supervision of Dr. Candelari, I integrate educational best practices with evidence-based psychological interventions to help clients feel better and live better.

I hold a Doctorate in K–12 Professional Leadership from the University of Houston, where my research focused on evaluating and improving middle school academic programs. My work has always centered on helping young people thrive both academically and emotionally, and I’ve spent many years collaborating with teachers, administrators, and student support teams.

In therapy, I take an integrative, developmentally informed approach, drawing on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), person-centered therapy, and Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT). These approaches work together to help clients develop practical coping strategies while building on their existing strengths. I believe that meaningful change begins with a strong therapeutic relationship built on trust, empathy, and collaboration. My goal is to help clients better understand themselves, develop practical tools to manage challenges, and move forward with greater clarity and confidence.

When working with children and adolescents, I also collaborate closely with parents and families, understanding how school stressors can affect family dynamics. I am comfortable coordinating with teachers, school counselors, and learning specialists when appropriate so that students receive consistent support across home, school, and therapy settings. My goal is to help young people feel more confident navigating both the academic and emotional demands of school while supporting parents in understanding how best to help their child succeed.