Today we’d like to introduce you to Liza Dyess.
Hi Liza, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I began my career as a high school teacher, but I quickly realized I wanted to support students beyond the classroom and help them navigate their daily life struggles. That led me to earn my master’s degree and become a school counselor, working in both elementary and intermediate schools. While I loved that work, I wasn’t able to provide the amount of one-on-one counseling I felt my students needed, so I returned to school to complete the requirements to become a Licensed Professional Counselor. From there, I spent five and a half years at a Child Advocacy Center, providing counseling to child victims of trauma and their non-offending family members. During that time, I also trained to become a Registered Play Therapist to better serve children and adolescents. After moving to Houston in May, I felt it was the right moment to open my own private practice, where I now support children, adolescents, and adults through trauma healing and the everyday challenges of life.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
The path to where I am today wasn’t easy. Teaching full-time while working on my master’s degree and raising a child stretched me in every direction, and I often struggled to balance my responsibilities—especially wanting enough time with my daughter—while still taking care of myself. When I began counseling children, I began to feel that those sacrifices were making a real difference, but the work came with its own challenges. Supporting children who had been abused or had witnessed a crime was the hardest part, and helping them heal enough to move forward in their lives required both strength and compassion. Over time, I learned how to be a steady, safe place for children and adults to share their most painful stories so they could release what they had been carrying and allow healing to begin. There were moments when those stories weighed heavily on me too, but with supportive colleagues and caring coworkers, I learned how to hold space for others while still caring for myself.
We’ve been impressed with The Healing Nest Counseling & Play Therapy, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
My practice offers counseling for children, teens, and adults, with a special focus on helping young people who have experienced trauma. I use play therapy to help children and adolescents express their feelings and work through difficult experiences in a way that feels natural and safe. I am also trained in EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing), a highly effective approach for resolving trauma in both children and adults. I work closely with parents and caregivers, offering support and guidance so they can help their child at home and confidently advocate for their needs at school. With my background as a school counselor, I can help families navigate the educational system and understand what services or supports their child may need. I also provide expert testimony in criminal court cases involving child abuse and trauma, and my experience working with children involved in criminal cases, foster care, and legal proceedings helps me support families facing similar challenges with clarity and compassion. I chose the name The Healing Nest because I love watching birds care for their young in the safety of the nest—where protection, warmth, and security help the chicks grow. In the same way, healing begins when people feel safe enough to explore their thoughts and feelings. My goal is to provide that kind of safe, nurturing space where healing can begin.
What would you say have been one of the most important lessons you’ve learned?
The most important thing I’ve learned over the years is that I can’t “fix” people, no matter how much I want to help. My role is to give people a safe space and the tools they need to heal, and then trust that they are strong enough to do their own work. I’ve seen time and time again that people are far stronger and more resilient than they ever believed they could be, and watching them discover that strength is one of the greatest parts of this work.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.healingnesttherapy.com
