Caroline Best, Practicum Student
M.A. Counseling Candidate
Supervised by Nancy Wendlandt, LPC
Caroline Best is a practicum student working toward her LPC-Associate license and is currently pursuing a Master of Arts in Counseling at Dallas Theological Seminary– Houston campus. A Houstonian native, Caroline brings a warm, grounded, and relational presence to her work with clients. She is passionate about creating emotionally safe, developmentally-attuned spaces where clients feel seen, soothed, and secure.
With a strong belief that healing takes place through authentic and emotionally connected relationships, Caroline is drawn to supporting children, adolescents, and young adults who are navigating identity development, anxiety, depression, perfectionism, comparison, peer-pressure, friend or family transitions. She desires to create a space where clients feel known, valued, and supported as they explore their stories and begin to find deeper meaning and purpose in their lives.
Caroline’s approach integrates clinical training with her years of experience in caregiving, mentoring, and teaching, which allows her to help clients build resilience, self-awareness, lasting self-compassion, and a deeper trust in themselves. Known by colleagues as genuine, dependable, and adaptable, Caroline works holistically, considering the emotional, physical, and spiritual aspects of well-being. She finds deep meaning in listening to each client’s unique story and understanding how they view the world through the lens of their personal experiences. Caroline considers it an honor to walk alongside them on their journey toward healing and wholeness, offering encouragement, unconditional positive regard, and hope each step of the way.
Caroline’s Education and Vocational Experiences
Caroline holds a Bachelor of Science in Applied Learning and Development from The University of Texas at Austin and a minor in Communication. Afterwards, she completed a yearlong biblical studies program at the Kanakuk Institute. Caroline brings over a decade of experience working with children, adolescents, young adults, and families across educational, athletic, ministry, and mentoring settings.
Before beginning her clinical training at Dallas Theological Seminary, Caroline worked in local nonsecretarian and Christian private and public schools as a certified Texas educator and classroom storytelling specialist through Rice University Literacy, teaching students from pre-k through middle school. She has mentored middle school and high school students through Young Life, created curriculum, and coordinated programming to support students' healing, growth, and development.
Caroline’s Graduate Experience
Through her graduate studies, she has been trained in a range of therapeutic approaches and draws primarily from a person-centered framework. She integrates evidence-based modalities such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), existential therapy, and attachment theory. Caroline also has experience blending faith-based counseling. When working with younger clients, she uses person-centered play therapy to create a safe and trusting environment where children can freely explore their emotions and make sense of their world.
Caroline’s Areas of Practice
Anxiety and depression
Grief, loss, and life transitions
Relational challenges
Boundary setting
Identity development and sense of purpose
Perfectionism and comparison
Emotional and behavioral regulation
School related concerns
Parental coaching and family support
Intergenerational trauma and attachment
Counseling Services Provided by Caroline
On a Personal Note
Outside of the counseling room, Caroline enjoys staying active and centered through pilates, yoga, and spending time outdoors. She finds joy in reading, puzzling, Bible study, and volunteering in her local community. Caroline also loves to travel, coordinate meaningful events, and engage in creative pursuits. Time with family and friends is especially important to her as she values opportunities to connect deeply with others.