Spenser Crain, LPC-Intern
Supervised by Lora Ferguson, LPC-S

am honored and excited to be a part of individuals’ and families’ therapeutic journeys. It is an amazing gift to be able to support and grow with each person I meet.

I studied psychology and sociology at Chapman University in Orange, California before moving to Austin, where I received my Masters of Art in Counseling from St Edward’s University.

I am passionate about working with children (age 3+) and teens. I believe in tailoring counseling to each individual’s interests and developmental needs, using play, art, games, and other therapeutic activities.

I have had the privilege to work with people with special needs and their support systems in a variety of roles, including counselor, registered behavior technician, behavioral therapist, tutor, mentor, and Special Olympics volunteer.

My experience has shown me that while most programs for people with special needs focus on developing social skills and honing abilities necessary for independence later in life, there are very few resources to support the emotional challenges faced by people with special needs and their families. As a counselor, I help people with special needs further develop coping skills for life’s stressors and provide emotional support all people require during challenging times.

Sibling relationships are typically complicated and sometimes challenging. Siblings of people with special needs often experience additional complex situations, such as witnessing or being a target of their sibling’s challenging behaviors, feelings of jealousy or resentment over the additional parental attention received by, and explaining their sibling’s differences to others. I strive to help siblings understand their brother or sister’s diagnosis, how to explain it to others, and build their own positive sense of self.

Being a parent is one of the most important, rewarding, and challenging roles in life. Parents of people with special needs often experience additional responsibilities, such as managing challenging behaviors, finding clinics that provide needed services, taking their child to appointments, and advocating for their child’s rights in the community. I support parents as they process the complex feelings often associated with finding out one’s child has special needs; build coping strategies for stressful situations; and understand the importance of self-care, self-love, and self-compassion.

Finally, I provide classroom observations, support in advocating for your child’s needs, and training on various early childhood disorders and how to help children with special needs succeed in the classroom and life.