About Us

The Trauma Recovery Institute (TRI) was founded and is operated by Colin A. Ross, M.D. (www.rossinst.com).

Medical Director - Colin A. Ross, M.D.

Colin A. Ross, M.D. completed his medical school at the University of Alberta and his psychiatry training at the University of Manitoba in Canada. He has served as President of the International Society for the Study of Trauma and Dissociation, and is the author of over 230 papers and 34 books. He has spoken extensively throughout North America and Europe, and in China, Malaysia, Australia, and New Zealand. Dr. Ross has been a keynote speaker for numerous conferences, and has reviewed for over 30 different professional journals.

Dr. Ross has been running a hospital-based Trauma Program in the Dallas area since moving to Texas in 1991.

Dr. Ross's publications cover a wide range of topics. His clinical books focus on trauma and dissociation.

Dr. Ross's Trauma Model Therapy treatment results have been published in a series of treatment outcome studies in peer-reviewed journals, providing evidence for the efficacy of Trauma Model Therapy. Published treatment outcomes have involved large series of cases, with original research data and statistical analyses, including a paper in the American Journal of Psychiatry.

In addition to his clinical psychiatry interests, Dr. Ross has published papers and books on cancer treatment and human energy fields, as well as literary works including essays, fiction, poetry and screenplays. He also enjoys several different hobbies including hiking and travel.

www.rossinst.com

Chief Operating Officer & Nursing Director - Kandyce Walker, RN

Kandyce Walker, RN began working in trauma and recovery in 2006 as an EMT, then Paramedic, Emergency Medical Dispatcher, and now as a Registered Nurse. Kandyce has an unwavering dedication to serving those in their greatest moment of need. With a sturdy hand and a loving touch, she makes sure her patients feel safe and supported in their journey to recovery.

Kandyce started her medical career in EMS as the first on scene in emergencies and eventually found herself in the ER. Working with patients throughout the process of a physical trauma, Kandyce was witness to its impact on people both physically and emotionally. She's also experienced traumas of her own. Her ability to empathize with a person in need, allowing them to feel seen and heard, is possibly her greatest skill.

It is no great surprise then that her new home is in the mental health field where she can take her long experience of working in trauma and apply it to the root - a patient's emotional and mental health. Her passion is to help others achieve recovery and live full lives.

In her spare time, Kandyce enjoys photography as a creative outlet and loves to spend time with friends and family.

Program Manager & Program Therapist - Edith Juanah, MS, ATR-P

Edith Juanah works at the Richardson location as a program therapist and program manager. Edith is an art therapist, passionate about helping clients explore trauma through the creative arts. She enjoys being able to provide a safe environment to use various art mediums as a vehicle for expressing emotions, thoughts, and words, that would otherwise be difficult to access. Edith uses her previous experience working within marginalized communities and non-profit sectors to provide a nurturing, client-centered approach to each individual. She is committed to helping clients begin their journey towards addressing and healing trauma, whether that is through a welcoming smile on the first day or continuing encouragement through their time at TRI.

Program Therapist - Jenny Lau, M.D.

Jenny Lau, M.D. works at the Cedar Park location as a program therapist. She completed her medical school at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center and her intern/PGY-1 year at the Baylor Scott & White Round Rock Family Medicine residency program. She is continuing her education in the Licensed Professional Counseling program at Texas State University.

Jenny is a conscientious, hardworking, and passionate individual interested in self-actualization; for her, this includes being the best mental health professional she can be as well as pursuing her own creative interests such as calligraphy, writing, and knitting & crocheting amigurumi!

Jenny has worked extensively with a wide variety of clients in both inpatient and outpatient settings, including foster care clinics, suicide prevention intensive outpatient programs, and addiction clinics. Her clinical experience with mental health has illuminated the complex and profound impact of trauma on clients' lives as well as the strength and resilience required throughout the addiction recovery process.

Jenny is passionate about establishing strong therapeutic alliances with individuals and facilitating their journey towards healing and growth through the medium of therapy. Her experiences as a physician have confirmed that although medicine can help stabilize patients and elevate their baseline mood, therapy is essential for maintaining these changes long-term. Areas of interest include working with children and adolescents who have undergone trauma, the minority/AAPI/BIPOC population (being a 2nd-generation Chinese-American herself), and healthcare professionals. Currently, she is certified in Trauma Model Therapy and has experience with CBT, DBT, ACT, and MI; she is eager to learn as much as she can to help her clients. Ultimately, Jenny experiences the therapeutic process as fulfilling and rewarding due to both personal and professional experiences with mental health.

Therapist - Ragan Jones VitaNuova, MA, LPC

Ragan Jones VitaNuova, MA, LPC, is a compassionate trauma therapist whose daily interactions stem from her own healing.

With a previous career in young adult training and development worldwide, followed by educating those with intellectual and developmental delays, she now works with youth and adult trauma survivors, Ragan's experience of providing group and individual caring work encompasses passages throughout the human lifespan, holding with gentleness every unique experience.

Ragan has special training in Story Work through The Allender Center, Trauma Model trained, EMDR with IFS/EMDR training and Reiki energy trainings. She has personal experience of healing in her brain and even at the cellular level of her body through these disciplines. The process has positively impacted her emotions and relationships. Ragan's ethical mantra is "I never invite my clients to do work that I myself have not done."

In life outside her career, Ragan relishes time with her spouse and children, laughs often, loves family and friends deeply, and actively chooses body, mind, and soul care in each moment as a means of creating the life she most desires.

www.sacredcounselingtx.com

Therapist - Bethany McKinney, LPC-A

Bethany is an LPC-Associate under Dr. Nicole Black's supervision. She has a passion for working with people who have experienced trauma and severe mental illnesses. She works for Trauma Recovery Institute remotely, conducting intake assessments for those who join the program.

Nurse Practitioner - Andrea Worley, MSN, FNP-C

Andrea Worley, MSN, APRN, FNP-C began her journey into the medical field in 2006. She received her Registered Nurse degree in 2008 from Temple College, her bachelor of science in nursing from the University of Texas Arlington in 2013 and earned her master of science in nursing from the University of Texas Medical Branch in 2019. Andrea has an extensive background as an RN and has served her community in a variety of departments. Including the Emergency Room, where she has spent the largest amount of her career and still practices as an NP today. Throughout her time in the ER she has had exposure to both the physical and mental traumas of the world, and found she has a gift in her ability to help people through those most trying of times. Andrea was awarded the Daisy Award for her extraordinary passion in patient care. Her expertise in acute care and individualized approach to treatment ensures that each person receives the attention they deserve.

Andrea enjoys reading a good book while relaxing, camping, and spending time outdoors with her family, friends and pets.