Counselor Bios

Dr. Nikki Russell graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from Oklahoma State University in 2004. She moved to Texas in 2007. She received her teaching certification from The University of Texas of the Permian Basin in 2009. Dr. Russell taught 3rd and 4th grades for 7 years while working towards a school counseling certification and professional counseling license. She graduated with her Master of Arts degree in Counseling from Wayland Baptist University in 2012. She completed the Texas state requirements for licensed professional counselors in 2014, which included 3,000 hours of counseling and two years of internships. She interned for Gaines County Rehabilitation Center as a drug and alcohol rehabilitation counselor; interned in the private sector with families and individuals; interned as a school counselor for Seminole Independent School District; and held parenting skills classes at the Success Center. She opened her private counseling practice in May 2014. Dr. Russell completed her Ph.D. in Counselor Education and Supervision at Walden University in September 2017. Her dissertation explored parents' experiences of having self-harming adolescent children. Dr. Russell was also a contributing author on her first textbook for counselor educators in training. She is currently an adjunct professor at Northwestern University's Family Institute in the master's of clinical mental health program and a full time faculty member at the University of the Southwest. She primarily teaches Counseling Theories, Human Development, Child and Adolescent Psychotherapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and Internship. Dr. Russell is also a registered play therapist supervisor through the Association for Play Therapy. Her training involved 150 hours of play therapy training, 50 hours of play therapy supervision, and 500 play therapy hours under supervision. Dr. Russell is also a licensed counselor and board approved supervisor in New Mexico.

Dr. Russell has presented on counseling topics locally, nationally, and internationally. She has also been a part of multiple research projects regarding family systems, self-focus, self-harm, trauma, and psychological distress. Her interest in working with children, adolescents, and families continues to drive her training, research, and future presentations.

Dr. Russell is a member of the Chi Sigma Iota International Counseling Honor Society, Psi Chi National Psychology Honor Society, and Alpha Chi National College Honor Society. She received the Top Graduate Award in 2009 from the University of Texas of the Permian Basin. She is also a member of the American Counseling Association, Texas Counseling Association, Texas School Counselor Association, Texas Classroom Teacher Association, and Association for Counselor Education and Supervision.

Christin Tolentino is a Licensed Professional Counselor in New Mexico. She graduated with a Master's of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from the University of the Southwest in June 2024. Christin works with teenagers and adults and offers virtual sessions through NRCS. Prior to coming to NRCS, Christin was a mental health crisis specialist intern where she triaged crisis calls and coordinated intake services for people in mental health crisis. Christin is also a registered nurse and has many years of experience working with trauma and children. Christin is also a published author! You can find her children's book My Great Big Feelings: A Story for Sensitive Children on Amazon!

Jolene Taylor is a counselor-in-training student intern who is working to complete a master's degree in clinical mental health counseling from Lamar University. She works with children, adolescents, and adults. Jolene and her husband have four grown children and two grandchildren. She has been a high school teacher at Plains ISD for the past 22 years and is transitioning to teaching English at the high school for Seminole ISD.