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. 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.

Justin Robbins graduated from Texas Tech University with a Bachelor of Science in Human Development and Family Studies in 2012. After this, he attended Lubbock Christian University and earned his Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling in 2017. While working on his master's degree, Justin completed a practicum at the Lubbock Christian University Center for Student Success and an internship at Richard Miburn Academy High School where he primarily worked with teenagers and young adults. After completing his masters, he passed the National Counselor Examination, and completed his hours at NRCS as an LPC-Associate. He has been at Nikki Russell Counseling Services since February 2019 where he has worked with adolescents, families, and adults with an array of mental health issues.

Justin has worked with a wide variety of clients that deal with issues including depression, anxiety, trauma, bullying, substance abuse, eating disorders, and many other issues that interfered with their daily lives. The common goal with each of these is the desire to return to fully functioning healthy and happy lives.

Justin strives to fully understand his clients' concerns and then provide them with the tools needed to deal with their issues now and in the future. This is accomplished through building an authentic relationship with the client and truly understanding what the client is experiencing.

Justin stated, "Through my own experiences with mental illness I have learned that it can be difficult to reach out for help. I often felt that no one understood me or knew how to help me. I want to offer the courage to keep trying and that hope is out there. I care very deeply about my clients and work to help them find both hope and solutions."

Jeff Mayo is a counselor-in-training student intern. He is a student at the University of the Southwest in Hobbs, NM. Jeff has completed all of his coursework in the Master's of Arts for Clinical Mental Health program at USW is now in the internship portion of the training program. He has been a student intern at NRCS since August 2023. He works with adolescents, teenagers, young adults, and adults. Jeff has prior experience working with kids and families. He loves sports and finds joy in helping others find peace and happiness.

Christin Tolentino is a counselor-in-training student intern. She is a student at the University of the Southwest in Hobbs, NM. Christin has completed all of her coursework in the Master's of Arts for Clinical Mental Health program at USW and is now in the internship portion of the training program. Christin works with teenagers and adults. She 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!