Meet Our Clinicians

Therapy Center of Houston

Eskender “Kidane” Kidane-Mariam, MSSW Clinical Intern

Supervised by Sharon McLendon, LPC-S and Ranjana Varghese, LMSW

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) Informed 

IFS (Internal Family Systems) Informed 

Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) Informed

Languages Spoken/ Cultural Fluency: Conversational Swahili and Conversational Arabic 

“Human flourishing is considered to be built on physical, mental, emotional, psychological, and spiritual well-being; it enables Humans to pursue health, wealth, and wisdom.”

This belief is important to me as a clinician because I see each client as a whole person whose physical, mental, emotional, psychological, and spiritual well-being are interconnected. By supporting these areas, I hope to help clients move beyond surviving and toward greater health, purpose, wisdom, and overall flourishing.

Before entering the mental health field, I served as a U.S. Army officer working in public safety, where I collaborated with clinicians to support service members and their families through stressful situations, personal challenges, and major life transitions. My initial clinical experience included training with a DBT-focused intensive outpatient program, where I supported adults and young adults experiencing anxiety, depression, emotional dysregulation, borderline personality disorder, trauma, self-harming behaviors, and relationship difficulties. I have helped clients develop coping skills, regulate intense emotions, and build healthier relationships. I have also supported service members and their families as they navigate permanent changes of station (PCS), military transitions, and other significant life changes. I am here to help veterans adjust to civilian life with understanding and support.

My educational background includes a Bachelor of Science in Emergency Management. I am currently completing my Master of Science in Social Work at the University of Louisville and gaining clinical experience as a social work intern at Therapy Center of Houston. After graduation, I plan to become a Licensed Master Social Worker in Texas and work toward full clinical licensure as an LCSW.

I see clients as the experts in their own lives and consider each client as a whole person, including their emotional and physical well-being, relationships, culture, spirituality, and environment. 

Together, we can identify patterns you want to change and work toward meaningful, manageable growth that helps you feel empowered, emotionally aware, resilient, and confident in your ability to navigate challenges.