Meet the New Horizons Team

Clinic Director, Licensed Professional Counselor- Supervisor (LPC-S), Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist-Supervisor (LMFT-S), Certified Sex Therapist

Dr. Amir Abbassi is the Clinic Director, a Licensed Professional Counselor- Supervisor (LPC-S), Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist-Supervisor (LMFT-S), and a Certified Sex Therapist by the American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors, and Therapists (AASECT). Dr. Abbassi is a professor emeritus at a regional institution of higher education. Dr. Abbassi works as national and international consultant and witness expert on marriage and family/child custody issues nationally. Dr. Abbassi’s clinical background includes working with adolescents, adults, couples, and families. He is a former president of the Texas Association of Marriage and Family Counselors. He also is a Clinical member of the American Association of Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT).

Dr. Ryan Smith, is a is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) and a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT). He currently serves in the position of Chapter Liaison of the board of the Texas Association of Marriage and Family Counselors. Ryan received his Master’s in counseling and his Ph.D. from Texas A&M University-Commerce. In addition to his counseling work, Ryan spent eight years as a public school teacher at both the middle school and high school levels. He has extensive clinical experience working with the parents of school-age children who struggle behaviorally and academically to establish family-based solutions. He has worked in a variety of clinical settings involving couples and individuals of all ages, though his main specialty area is marriage and family therapy. Ryan’s clients can expect a warm and compassionate atmosphere with a focus on building a trusting relationship whether the presenting struggles are individual, couple, or family based.

Dr. Tannaz Moein is a Doctor of Psychology. Tannaz received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from University of Texas at Dallas, her Master’s of Science degree in Counseling from Southern Methodist University, and her Doctor of Psychology degree from California Southern University. She works with children, adolescents, adults, couples, families, and the elderly population. Tannaz has gained advanced training in substance dependency and adolescence counseling. As an Adlerian counselor, Tannaz believes people are holistic, phenomenological, creative, teleological, and social. In counseling, she pays close attention to the importance of the complete system of individuals. She believes in experiences, consciousness, and that people are creative and can shape their own personality and have the freedom to affect their destiny. Her approach to counseling is to help clients believe in themselves and develop the capacity for growth through better understanding of their perceptions and beliefs.

Jeff Quan is a Licensed Professional Counselor-Supervisor, Mediator, EMDR provider, Certified Trauma Model Therapist, Certified Aggression Management Trainer, and Certified Anger Resolution Therapist.

Jeff earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Professional Development from Amber University in 2001 and his Master’s Degree in Counseling from Amberton University in 2004. He is currently pursuing his PhD in Counselor Education and Supervision through Texas A&M University-Commerce.

Jeff has provided extensive therapy to trauma survivors through his clinical and private practice. Additionally, he has successfully mediated numerous cases of conflict management in various environments, including Higher Education and Hospital Administration.

Jeff is a veteran of Operation Desert Storm and enjoys spending time with his family and rescuing and caring for animals through the non-profit corporation, Petite Paws Pet Advocates, he founded with his wonderful wife, Judy.

Mr. Travis Trayler, M.S., is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) as well as a Certified School Counselor (CSC). He has worked with children and families for a number of years in the school system. Travis earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Texas at Arlington and his master’s degree from Texas A&M University – Commerce. He has a vast amount of experience collaborating with, and supporting families and children with academic, social, emotional and behavioral difficulties. His clinical background includes working with adults, children, adolescents, couples and families. Travis uses a wide range of evidence-based and strengths-based approaches with his clients to help them reach their goals and promote integration, well-being and vitality in their personal lives and cultivate deeper and more meaningful relationships.

Mrs. Fariba Abbasi received her Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science from University of North Texas, and her Masters of Science degree in Clinical Psychology from Johns Hopkins University. Fariba is a Licensed Professional Counselor Supervisor (LPC-S), and a Certified Hypnotherapist by the National Guild of Hypnotists. Fariba has many years of experience in a variety of clinical settings. She has worked with clients suffering from depression, anxiety, attachment disorder, eating disorders, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), panic attacks, phobias, bipolar disorder, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), post-traumatic stress disorder(PTSD), addictions and other mental health issues. Fariba has experience working with children, adolescents, adults, couples, and families. She has also directed an Intensive Outpatient Program for clients with a variety of mental health issues. Her goal is to help clients achieve balance to live a more complete, fulfilled life. Additionally, Fariba has done extended research on ADHD. As a child and adolescent specialist, Fariba has extensive experience working with traumatized youth, young adults, and their families. She uses several treatment modalities in her practice including, but not limited to, Cognitive-Behavioral therapy (CBT) and Solution-Focused Brief therapy (SFBT).

Heather Carlile is known as a futurist and a wizard of human nature. She has been called “a million-dollar soul.” She began teaching and facilitating for individuals, couples, corporations starting in 1993. Heather specializes in marriage counseling and mentoring. She is a pioneer with a passion for relationships, virtue, identity, gender, and lifestyle. Her unique transpersonal philosophy, which she uses to relieve anxiety, depression, confusion, guilt, anger, and grief. She integrates archetypes and positive psychology with cognitive-behavioral techniques. Her workshops include stopping self-sabotage, emotional intelligence, parenting, and grieving. The US Army welcomes Heather as a presenter for the Yellow Ribbon Reintegration conferences. She is a master teacher, a therapist, an author, a speaker, an expert in relationships and personality. Experience her on youtube.com/heathercarlile. Currently, her 60 one-hour presentations on Counseling and on Marriage Counseling are available to the public.

Ms. Jennifer Akins, M.Ed., is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) and Certified School Counselor (CSC). Ms. Akins earned her Master’s in Education with a specialty in School Counseling from Dallas Baptist University. She has also worked in the school setting with adolescents and their families for the last ten years. Ms. Akins has experience working with individuals and couples to address issues such as depression, anxiety, ADHD, self-harm, stress management, trauma and abuse, interpersonal concerns, and family relationship struggles, including the unique needs of adoptive and blended families. She has professional interest in the areas of intrapersonal neurobiology and emotional regulation. Ms. Akins provides outpatient counseling to couples and to individuals aged 10 and up.