Today we’d like to introduce you to Merlena James Turks.
Hi Merlena, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
My story begins in my hometown of Freeport, Texas, a place where community was everything. I grew up in a close-knit environment where neighbors supported one another, and values were deeply rooted in traditions passed down through generations. From an early age, I witnessed the power of caring for others, not because of a title, but because of a calling.
My first experience of counseling didn’t happen in an office; it happened at home. I would listen as my mother and father received visitors, created a safe space, and spoke life into the people who came by. They didn’t need a formal title to make an impact, they simply had a calling to create a safe space and listen. Watching them, I realized that helping others was about presence, empathy, and showing up when someone needed it most.
The lessons I carried into adulthood didn’t come from jobs or formal training, they came from my parents and the people I encountered in my community.
From these experiences, I realized that when it was my turn to make an impact, I wanted to meet people where they were, especially those who might never step into a counseling office. I wanted to be the person someone could call on, the one who would go into the community, into their world, and provide support in a way that was accessible, meaningful, and grounded in real human connection.
I pursued my education and training in professional counseling and made a commitment to help people in ways that reach beyond traditional settings.
Today, as the founder and owner of Ramir’s Counseling Center of Hope, I provide counseling that extends beyond the office walls, offering adolescents and adults across Texas a safe, supportive space to explore their emotions, grow in resilience, and build healthier relationships with themselves and their communities.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
The journey to building my practice has been deeply rewarding, but it hasn’t always been smooth. One of the biggest challenges came unexpectedly with the onset of the pandemic. Before COVID-19, much of my work involved meeting clients in their homes or within the community, being present in their space and connecting in person. Transitioning to telehealth required a complete shift in how I provided counseling.
It was challenging to recreate that sense of safety, trust, and personal connection through a screen, while also learning new technology and adjusting to the demands of remote care. At times, it felt like starting over, but this experience also reinforced the importance of adaptability, creativity, and persistence. Over time, I was able to maintain the heart of my practice, meeting people where they are, creating a safe space, and building strong therapeutic relationships, even in a virtual environment.
This shift ultimately strengthened my practice, allowing me to reach adolescents and adults across Texas in a way that is both accessible and meaningful, while staying true to the core values that inspired me to become a counselor in the first place.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Ramir’s Counseling Center of Hope, PLLC ?
Please tell us more about your business or organization. What should we know?
My name is Merlena A. James Turks, M.A., LPC, CAGCS, and I am the founder and owner of Ramir’s Counseling Center of Hope, PLLC, a virtual counseling practice serving clients throughout Texas. “Ramir” stands for Rising Above My Inner Rival—a phrase that reflects the heart of my work and the intention behind the services I provide.
I help adolescents and adults better understand their internal experiences and build healthier, more compassionate relationships with themselves. Through telehealth, I provide a safe, confidential therapeutic space where clients can explore their emotions, stressors, and life challenges at a pace that feels right for them. My goal is to make counseling accessible, meaningful, and grounded in genuine human connection.
What do you do? What do you specialize in / what are you known for?
I support adolescents and adults navigating a wide range of emotional and psychological experiences, including trauma, grief and loss, anxiety, depression, and major life transitions.
I am known for my warm, non-judgmental approach and for creating an environment where clients feel deeply heard, understood, and validated. My therapeutic style blends clinical insight with empathy, helping clients make sense of their emotions, strengthen emotional regulation, and develop healthier coping strategies.
I see therapy as a collaborative, relational process and work closely with each person to support their healing journey in a way that aligns with their personality, goals, and needs.
What sets you apart from others?
What sets me apart is the personal foundation behind my work. I grew up witnessing mental health challenges within my own family and community, and those experiences shaped my understanding of how deeply our environments, histories, and internal worlds impact our emotional well-being.
This perspective guides my commitment to creating a culturally aware, non-judgmental space where adolescents and adults can explore the parts of themselves shaped by trauma, fear, self-doubt, emotional wounds, or challenging environments.
Accessibility is also essential to my practice. Telehealth removes barriers and allows clients to receive care even with demanding schedules, limited transportation, or simply because they feel more comfortable at home or in their community.
My approach is relational, individualized, and grounded in the strength of the therapeutic connection. I view each person as a whole human being, not a diagnosis, and aim to create a supportive partnership that feels like a good fit.
What are you most proud of, brand-wise?
I am most proud of the meaning and heart behind my brand. Rising Above My Inner Rival captures the courage it takes to look inward, confront emotional pain, and choose healing.
I take pride in providing a space where adolescents and adults feel safe, supported, and empowered to reflect on their experiences and build resilience. My brand represents hope—hope for clarity, growth, stability, and deeper self-understanding.
What do you want our readers to know about your brand, offerings, and services?
I want readers to know that compassionate and accessible support is available. Healing does not have to be navigated alone.
I provide telehealth counseling for adolescents and adults across Texas, offering trauma-informed, culturally responsive, and emotionally safe therapeutic care for trauma, grief, anxiety, depression, and life transitions.
My work is grounded in empathy, cultural awareness, inclusiveness, and a strong therapeutic relationship that honors each client’s individuality. I believe therapy should feel collaborative and tailored to the person in the room, even through a screen.
I also offer free 15-minute consultations, giving individuals an opportunity to meet with me, ask questions, and ensure the therapeutic relationship feels like a supportive and comfortable fit.
Above all, I want readers to know that they deserve a space where they can explore their emotions with compassion, feel understood, and move toward meaningful healing. My practice exists to provide that space.
Can you talk to us about how you think about risk?
I view risk-taking as an essential part of both personal and professional growth. One of the most significant risks I’ve taken was transitioning from a full-time job into pursuing my business full-time. Leaving the comfort and structure of a traditional work environment to embrace a fully Telehealth practice required courage, intention, and a willingness to trust the process.
Another major risk involved taking full responsibility for every aspect of the business, from operations to client care and overall productivity, while trusting that my experience, training, and ongoing research would guide me forward. It required confidence, discipline, and a willingness to step into uncertainty with intention.
Through these experiences, I learned that risk is not about being impulsive or moving according to others’ expectations. It is about making intentional decisions that align with your values, vision, and mission and stepping into your next chapter when you know you are ready. The rewards have been profound, allowing me to reach more people, create a space where clients feel truly seen, and build a practice that reflects both my heart and my professional expertise.
Pricing:
- Insurance plans accepted; coverage varies and must be verified prior to services
- Self-pay clients accepted (including HSA/FSA cards)
- Reduced-rate sessions available for clients with demonstrated financial need.
- EAP services accepted; availability depends on the specific program and requires verification
- Assistance, funding sources, and reimbursement programs accepted when approved by the payer or program
Contact Info:
- Website: https://ramirscounselingcenter.org/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ramirscounselingcenter/?igsh=OTM0eXBtenhyd2Q0&utm_source=qr
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ramirscounselingcenter/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ramir-s-counseling-center-of-hope-pllc/
