About the Nikki Claudette EMDR Scholarship

The Nikki Claudette EMDR Scholarship Application was originally established in 2021 through Distinctive Counseling & Consulting, PLLC. The aim of this scholarship is to expand EMDR services in the Coastal Bend and in Texas virtually. Distinctive Collective funds are used to support the training of associate level clinicians in using EMDR. Thank you for being a part of this process.

The Story Behind the Scholarship

Shortly after entering her master’s level graduate counseling program in 2009, tragedy struck, and Dr. Powell lost her little sister to suicide. Amidst this grief, she somehow mustered the strength to finish her master’s degree as a low-income, single mother. Still, the loss of her sister catalyzed her healing journey, forcing her to confront her own unresolved trauma. After years of helping people while trying to work through her own struggles, she found an EMDR therapist. After 10 (very expensive!) sessions, she was able to experience relief from the grief of losing her sister. This experience was life-changing and ultimately led to her becoming an EMDR Certified Therapist, Consultant, and Trainer. Although she no longer bears the weight of overwhelming grief, the memory of her sister is always with her, and in 2021, she established the Nikki Claudette EMDR Scholarship through Distinctive Counseling & Consulting, PLLC. In 2025, she shifted this program under the Distinctive Collective, Inc. to further her mission of increasing access to quality, trauma informed mental health care. Como dijo su abuela, “No hay mal que por bien no venga.”

Your donations support the Distinctive Collective’s ability to expand this scholarship program annnually.