Jordan Ward

Hi, I’m Jordan Ward, MEd, LPC. I’m a Licensed Professional Counselor and co-owner of Hope Counseling Center in Amarillo, Texas. I earned my Bachelor of Science in Interdisciplinary Studies from West Texas A&M University and my Master of Education in School Counseling from Lamar University. I’m also a Certified School Counselor and Certified Animal-Assisted Counselor.

I have over eleven years of experience working with elementary and middle school students within the public school system, including many years coaching girls’ athletics. This background has given me a strong foundation in child and adolescent development, school-related stress, emotional regulation, and confidence-building.

I was born and raised in the Amarillo/Canyon area and am passionate about supporting children, adolescents, and families in our community.

My approach to therapy is warm, collaborative, and strengths-based. I focus on helping clients feel safe, supported, and understood while building skills that promote emotional regulation, resilience, and confidence.

I specialize in working with children and adolescents and incorporate Animal-Assisted Counseling into my work. I am a Certified Animal-Assisted Therapist, and I work alongside my therapy dog, LuLu, a Certified Animal-Assisted Co-Counselor. LuLu helps create a calm, engaging environment that can make therapy feel more comfortable and approachable.

I integrate evidence-based practices such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and mindfulness, tailoring each session to meet the unique needs of the client. My goal is to help clients recognize their strengths, develop healthy coping skills, and navigate life’s challenges with greater confidence and emotional balance.

Clients can expect their first session to feel welcoming, structured, and supportive. I focus on creating a calm, safe environment where clients can feel comfortable getting to know me, the counseling space, and my therapy dog, LuLu.

When Animal-Assisted Counseling is part of the intake, the session begins with clear animal safety guidelines, including hand sanitizing and gentle introductions between the client and LuLu. We review informed consent together, including health considerations, confidentiality, potential risks and benefits, and how to recognize signs of stress and comfort in animals.

The session includes time for building rapport through guided bonding activities with LuLu, such as learning simple commands, giving treats, or participating in structured activities like puzzles or fetch. These interactions help reduce anxiety, increase engagement, and support emotional regulation.

We also spend time discussing what the client hopes to gain from counseling and identifying both short-term and long-term goals. An intentional animal-assisted intervention may also be introduced to support these goals, often incorporating mindfulness, connection, or skill-building activities.

The first session wraps up with a brief review of goals and next steps, helping clients leave with a sense of clarity, comfort, and confidence. Overall, the goal of the first session is to establish trust, build a strong therapeutic foundation, and create a positive, encouraging experience that supports growth and resilience from the very beginning.