The Cognizant Group didn’t begin as a business idea—it began as a way of seeing people more clearly.
For Danielle, a Registered Dietitian and Licensed Professional Counselor, functional nutrition has always been about more than food. “I’ve never been able to separate physical health from mental health,” she says. “They’re constantly informing one another.” That belief was shaped early in her career while working in breast cancer and integrative medicine clinics at MD Anderson.
“I sat in so many patient rooms where I realized nutrition education alone wasn’t enough,” Danielle recalls. “People were grieving. They were anxious. They were overwhelmed. And those realities deeply impacted their ability to make lifestyle changes.” At the same time, she was immersed in research around the gut microbiome, micronutrient deficiencies, and the profound influence nutrition can have on mental and emotional wellbeing.
That combination—clinical science paired with an understanding of trauma, family systems, and emotional health—became the foundation of Danielle and the team at The Cognizant Group.
Danielle, Co-Founder of The Cognizant Group
When Professional Training Became Personal
Danielle and Brian, founders of The Cognizant Group, with their family at the Hope Heals Family Camp
Years later, that foundation was tested and deepened when Danielle and her husband Bryan welcomed their second child and learned he had a significant neurological difference: Agenesis of the Corpus Callosum.
“I had advocated for families in the disabilities community for years,” she says. “But suddenly, we were the family.” The search for support led them into neurological specialties, NeuroNutrition, and eventually NeuroMovement—an experience that reshaped their understanding of what integrated care could look like.
“We witnessed meaningful cognitive and physical changes that had previously felt out of reach. It reinforced something I already knew: when you support the brain, body, and environment together, real change becomes possible.”
That conviction ultimately led to the founding of The Cognizant Group in 2020—a practice designed to meet what Danielle and Bryan saw as a significant unmet need in Houston and surrounding areas.
Functional Nutrition—Done Differently
Many clients arrive at The Cognizant Group feeling discouraged. “They’ve tried the diets. They’ve done the protocols. They’ve seen multiple providers,” Danielle explains. “And they’re still asking, Why isn’t this working for me?”
She saw consistent gaps in conventional care. “A clinician might order advanced labs but not know how to translate them into practical, livable steps. Or a provider might recommend a therapeutic diet without considering trauma, mental health, or the realities of a family system.” Too often, nutrition advice assumes someone is ready, willing, and able to change—without addressing the barriers underneath.
Functional nutrition, as practiced at The Cognizant Group, slows everything down. “We look for patterns. We get curious. We explore root causes instead of chasing symptoms.”
What Functional Nutrition Really Is (and Isn’t)
“Functional nutrition is not rigid rules or one-size-fits-all plans,” Danielle says. “It’s about understanding how your biology, history, lifestyle, and environment influence your health—and then using appropriate assessments, food, education, and targeted support to help your body function more optimally.”
In a culture obsessed with quick fixes, this approach can feel refreshing—and grounding. “Nutrition is one of the most consistent ways we communicate with our bodies every single day,” she explains. “Sustainable health comes from supporting the body’s capacity to adapt and heal over time, not from temporary solutions.”
Who They Serve And How it Works
The Cognizant Group tends to attract thoughtful, motivated clients: busy parents, children with disabilities or special needs, working professionals, athletes, and individuals navigating chronic health concerns. Many share the same frustration—feeling unheard.
“A lot of people come in blaming themselves,” Danielle says. “When they finally feel seen and listened to, that shifts everything. They move from self-blame to curiosity, from overwhelm to clarity. That mindset change alone can be incredibly powerful.”
Unresolved GI symptoms, eczema, and behavioral health concerns are common entry points—but the work often goes much deeper.
Rather than offering food plans alone, The Cognizant Group integrates functional nutrition with counseling, wellness coaching, NeuroMovement, and equine-assisted psychotherapy. “We’re supporting emotional health, nervous system regulation, lifestyle, and education—all under one roof,” Danielle explains.
Care is highly individualized. “Two people can have the same symptoms for completely different reasons,” she says.
Danielle and friends with a therapy horse.
Through comprehensive intakes and tools like nutrigenomics testing, GI mapping, and targeted labs, the team builds an ongoing dialogue rather than assuming a single solution.
One assessment that’s had particular impact is the NeuroWell+ Nutrigenomics panel. “It’s a one-time cheek swab—even babies can do it—and it helps us prioritize what actually matters for someone’s health instead of guessing.”
What Working Together Feels Like
For those new to functional nutrition, the first few months are intentionally gentle. “The early phase is about listening, assessment, and shared goals,” Danielle explains. “We focus on education and gradual change—not overhauls.” Clients are invited to schedule follow-ups as needed, rather than being locked into rigid packages. “We truly partner with our clients to decide what level of support makes sense.”
Some transformations stand out not because they’re dramatic, but because they’re deeply human. Danielle recalls a client whose history of disordered eating, high stress, and significant loss had led to debilitating depression. Through integrated counseling, functional nutrition, nutrigenomics, gut health work, and eventually equine-assisted psychotherapy, she began to heal. “She’s learning to trust herself again,” Danielle says. “She has energy, clarity, and a team of clinicians collaborating around her care.”
Another moment that stays with her involves a pediatric client with significant disabilities. “The family had excellent primary care but felt overwhelmed by ongoing GI and behavioral challenges. After working through nutrigenomics and gut health assessments, he’s now thriving in school and free of GI discomfort.” For Danielle, those outcomes are reminders that “this work isn’t just about symptoms—it’s about restoring capacity and possibility.”
Rooted in Community, Looking Ahead
The Cognizant Group also believes health is communal. They regularly point clients toward local food systems, wellness resources, and collaborative partners—reinforcing the idea that sustainable health is supported by strong communities.
When asked what excites her most about the future, Danielle doesn’t hesitate: “Nutrigenomics. The microbiome. The gut–brain connection.” She adds, “What’s exciting is the growing recognition that health is complex and interconnected—and that compassionate, whole-person care truly matters.”
Find a full list of services provided by The Cognizant Group at www.thecognizantgroup.com.
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