Kimberly Vernon-Hendrix LCSW-S, CAIMHP, CCTP

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Kimberly Vernon-Hendrix LCSW-S, CAIMHP, CCTP

Some wounds are invisible, but they are no less real. I work with people who are tired of surviving and are ready to feel understood, supported, and whole again.

I was raised by a single father in the Army who taught me early on to be part of the solution, not the problem. As the oldest child in a Southern family, responsibility, service, and care for others were values I carried with me long before I ever stepped into a therapy office. Those values led me to join the Army as a Combat Medic, where I learned how to stay present in crisis, show up for people in their most vulnerable moments, and hold steady when life feels overwhelming.

During my service, I witnessed loss and trauma—both visible and invisible. I lost friends to war and to the silent battles that followed them home. Over time, I realized that remembrance alone was not enough. I wanted to help those who continue to struggle with what they see, hear, and carry in their minds when the world grows quiet. That calling led me to become a therapist.

I believe deeply that no one should feel unheard, unseen, or abandoned in their pain. I am comfortable sitting with people in the depths of their experiences, offering a steady, compassionate presence. My goal is to create a safe base—a place where you can slow down, breathe, and begin to heal. Together, we work to calm the nervous system, process trauma, and build skills that support long-term healing. I provide structure, consistency, and clear boundaries to help clients feel grounded and supported, while always honoring their pace and autonomy.

Alongside this deeply personal work, I bring extensive clinical and leadership experience. I earned my degree from the University of Texas at San Antonio, where I served in multiple advocacy and leadership roles, including President of the Social Work Council and co-founder of Students Against Sexual Assault. Early in my career at University Health Systems, I helped develop a screening tool to identify and support victims of sex trafficking—work that earned multiple awards for excellence in patient care.

I later served as Head Therapist in a Department of Defense residential treatment program for active-duty service members worldwide, where I led program development, staff training, and the implementation of evidence-based treatments, including EMDR, DBT, ACT, and trauma-focused care. My work contributed to national accreditation and recognition as a Center of Excellence. I also served as a Supervisory Social Work Program Coordinator at the Audie Murphy VA Hospital, where I helped rebuild and strengthen a struggling program—improving team morale, clinical outcomes, and national performance standards in under a year.

At my core, I believe healing happens when compassion and clinical skill meet. I provide evidence-based, trauma-informed, and culturally responsive care, grounded in real-world experience and genuine connection. My hope is to help you feel safe enough to heal, supported enough to grow, and empowered enough to move beyond survival toward a life that feels meaningful and whole.