Licensed Austin Therapists

            Raised on the East coast, Jason received a Bachelor’s degree in Asian Studies from Wesleyan University in 1993. He dedicated the next five years to the study of Buddhism and Taoism, ordaining as a Buddhist monk in 1998. Jason then practiced Chinese medicine before transitioning into a career in professional counseling. He has been in private practice since 2006 and opened Plumeria Counseling Center in 2009. He is the author of “108 Beads: Poems On The Way” and is currently writing a guidebook for couples entitled “Sticking With Staying Unstuck.”

Jason’s approach to psychotherapy combines Eastern and Western psychology and emphasizes values of acceptance, self-responsibility for one’s emotional reactions, and the cultivation of harmonious relationships, including that between an individual and their own self. Therapeutic goals include clients’ acquisition of new insights, understanding, and practical skills for maintaining mental and emotional wellness.

            After working several years in the nonprofit and high-tech industries as a writer and web designer, Andrea decided to go to graduate school to pursue her long-held desire to become a therapist. She received her Master's of Science in Counseling from The University of North Texas in 2006. In addition to her degree in counseling, she holds a Bachelor's Degree in History from The Colorado College.            

            Andrea utilizes an integrative approach when working with clients and she strives to tailor this approach for each individual. Underlying her work is the general premise that people are uniquely shaped by their early relationships -- especially family relationships -- and their life experiences. She values each client as an individual and acknowledge his or her unique struggles, strengths, and life path. She does not provide solutions. Instead, she tries to provide a safe, encouraging, and respectful environment in which clients are able to find your own answers. 

            Anne has years of experience supporting people in all stages of life, through times of crisis, change, sorrow and joy. Anne has worked in schools, hospitals, and community clinics in her hometown of Austin, Texas, as well as in Portland, Oregon. Anne believes counseling can be a powerful transformative process when it is driven primarily by the client, with guidance from the right therapist. Anne works with her clients to create a therapeutic plan that best matches their individual needs, goals, interests and strengths.

            Prior to becoming a social worker, Anne worked as an elementary school and creative movement teacher. She received her Bachelor's Degree in Hispanic Studies and Elementary Education from Vassar College and her Master's of Science in Social Work from the University of Texas at Austin. In her free time, Anne enjoys walking, yoga, travel, reading and being outdoors with friends, family and her dog.

            Tengo muchos años de experiencia trabajando con personas que hablan español. Ofreczo todos mis servicios en español. Espero que podamos trabajar juntos para ayudarle.

            First and foremost, Nicole is a single mother of 3 ½ year old identical twin angels, but understands that she is more than just a mother. Nicole is a native Austinite, earning both her Bachelor's Degree in Spanish and her Master's Degree in Social Work from the University of Texas. Nicole was living and working in the music industry in New York City on September 11, 2001, and needless to say, that day changed her life in dramatic ways. She decided that she wanted to work in the helping profession leading her to become a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. Nicole has been working with children, families, and adults for over ten years.

            Nicole's approach to therapy is to use whatever technique and theoretical model works in order to empower the client to make positive changes in their lives, and helps them find ways to navigate through their feelings. Every person is unique, each with their own special history, and a technique that works for one person might not work for the next person.

            Rena is originally from Houston, Tx. She believes that healing occurs when a counselor helps the client restore harmony and balance to his or her life through insight and encouragement. She uses a holistic approach to address issues such as communication, trust, and negative self-talk.
            In her spare time Rena enjoys gardening, cooking, horseback riding, reading and
Houston Astros baseball.

            As a bilingual native Texan, Stephanie graduated from The University of Texas at Austin with a Bachelor's degree in Psychology and French. She continued and furthered her education at St. Edward's University where she received her Master's in Counseling. Stephanie has worked in a variety of clinical settings ranging from residential treatment centers, private practices, and nationwide non-profit agencies.
            Therapy is collaborative. You can expect a safe and serene place to talk, be heard objectively, be treated with respect, and be supported. In therapy, you can deepen emotional connections with self and others, rediscover or develop authentic selves, become more aware of thoughts, beliefs, and values that play a role in relationships, find ways to be more open in the world, develop healthier coping skills and techniques when facing problems, and work through past and present trauma.

            Mary is a Clinical Social Worker licensed to practice in the states of Texas and Florida, with extensive experience providing individual therapy with adults and teens. After graduating from Barry University with a Master’s degree in Social Work, she went on to work with client populations including HIV-positive adults, homeless teens, college students, and people living with major mental illness. She says her goal as a therapist is to help clients discover their own workable solutions to problems and to bring about the positive changes they have decided to create in their lives.
            Mary understands that making changes in life involves work, but believes therapy shouldn't feel like work.  She says she's seen people make the most progress when therapy offers a relaxed setting in which clients may open their minds to reflect and find fresh ways to look at life's issues so they can make real and lasting changes. She currently works with teens, young adults, and adults. 

            Jill has been in private practice for ober 25 years. She earned her Master’s degree from the University of Louisville, Louisvile, Kentucky in 1968. Prior to that, her undergraduate degree was in sociology and psychology for the University of Evanston, Indiana in 1965. She has had experience and internships working in settlement houses, children’s homes, and a Veterans Affairs hospital. After gaining her Master’s degree, she had experience in protective services for children, working with unmarried moethers in maternity homes and then paticipating in the evolution of placement of the older or handicapped child, specializing in finding adoptive homes for them.
            Currently, Jill enjoys a clientele that specializes in helping people make changes in their lives that they desire. Jill enjoys her adopted children from Russia, who she adopted in 2001, and also has enjoyed performing with her band “The Studebakers” since 1993.

            Joshua, a life-long Texan, received his undergraduate education at Texas State University in San Marcos (at the time called Southwest Texas State University), majoring in sociology with a minor in psychology, where he graduated with honors.  After completing his Master's degree in counseling from Texas State University in 2006, he worked at Phoenix House, a non-profit organization serving adolescents recovering from substance abuse.  He received extensive experience working with addiction-related issues through individual, group, and family counseling modalities.
Joshua's use of a conversational and collaborative style allows clients to relax into the experience of self-exploration.  Joshua believes strongly in building a strong, trusting relationship with his clients as a necessary first step towards finding the right combination of healing ingredients.  He helps his clients explore and express themselves through mind-body integration, relaxation tecniques, mindfulness training, and learning how to become more kind and gentle to oneself and others.

            Catherine is originally from Buffalo, NY where she obtained her Master's degree in Social Work from the State University of New York at Buffalo. She graduated with honors from the same University with a Bachelor's degree in Environmental Design. Catherine has over 10 years of experience as a clinical social worker. She is an experienced individual, couples, family and group therapist. She is relatively new to Austin and has a passion for music and singing.

            Catherine's therapeutic style is based on unconditional acceptance of her clients and building a trusting relationship so that healing can take place. She is experienced with several different therapeutic strategies including psychodynamic, cognitive behavioral, insight-oriented therapy and EMDR. She approaches her clients with the goal of helping them balance the different areas of their lives as well as identifying strengths that will assist clients with reaching their goals. In addition, she is experienced with helping clients with issues regarding spirituality and with exploring meaningful aspects of life.

            Laura describes herself as an optimist and a creative thinker, with a passion for learning about herself and others.  She grew up in California, where she worked as a costume designer for theater and opera companies in the Bay Area.  She completed a BA in Anthropology at the University of Oregon, and went on to design museum exhibits and websites for small businesses.  Laura has emphasized creative expression in all of her career paths, and continued to do so as she earned her M.Ed in Educational Psychology from The University of Texas at Austin, focusing on art therapy and the coming-out process.  She now provides art therapy services to clients of all ages and backgrounds.
            As a counselor, Laura prioritizes a gentle, compassionate, and goals-oriented approach.  She believes in each person’s inherent wisdom, and she is honored to participate in their process of self-discovery.  Laura has experience addressing a variety of issues, such as: addiction, trauma and abuse, family instability, depression, anger, self esteem, and academic and/or professional exploration.

          A native Texan, I originally I came from The Rio Grande Valley and lived there until I moved to Austin, TX for college in 1999. I have an undergraduate degree in psychology, minor in biology and a master's degree in counseling. I am a Texas certified mediator and a licensed professional counselor. This is my last quarter in the PhD track for human services and I am so excited about that!

          I am an eclectic counselor, this simply means that I will use anything and everything that I have ever learned to try to get you back on track and where you think you belong. I help a variety of people work through their issues, but mainly I provide a safe and helping environment for clients to share their experiences with me. I am bilingual, and speak Spanish fluently. In therapy sessions with me, we will establish goals and explore ways to make those objectives happen for you. I am ultimately here to listen to you and help you accomplish your purpose. Other than my superior education, I have had experience in all forms of counseling including: crisis, parenting, children, families, groups, individual, and relationship sessions. I thrive on learning and excel at teaching you how to become your very best.

           Soy un tejano nativo, yo originalmente yo vine de El Valle de Grande de Rio y viví allí hasta que moviera a Austin, TX para el colegio en 1999. Tengo un grado de estudiante universitario en la psicología, el menor en la biología y un máster a aconsejar. Soy un Tejas certificó mediador y a un consejero profesional licenciado. ¡Esto es mi último cuarto en el vestigio de doctorado para servicios humanos y soy tan emocionada acerca de eso!

          Soy un consejera ecléctico, esto significa simplemente que utilizaré algo y todo que yo jamás he aprendido a tratar de recuperar en el vestigio y en donde usted piensa que pertenece. Ayudo una variedad de personas trata sus asuntos, pero principalmente proporciono un ambiente seguro y auxiliar para clientes para compartir sus experiencias conmigo. Soy bilingüe, y hablo español con fluidez. En sesiones de terapia conmigo, estableceremos objetivos y exploraremos maneras de hacer esos objetivos suceden para usted. Soy de últimamente aquí escucharle y ayudarlo a lograr su propósito. De otra manera que mi educación superior, yo he tenido experiencia en todas las formas de aconsejar incluyendo: crisis, el cuidar de los niños, los niños, las familias, los grupos, el individuo, y las sesiones de la relación. Prospero en aprender y sobresalgo en le enseñar cómo llegar a ser su lo mejor