Austin Licensed Intern Therapists

            A native Texan, Elizabeth attended the University of Texas at Austin, where she obtained a Bachelor’s degree in Biology with a concentration in Chemistry. Seeking further intellectual challenges and diverse new experiences, she relocated to New York City and obtained her Master’s degrees in Psychological Counseling from Columbia Univeristy in 2009. She received her clinical training at Bellevue Hospital and at the Center for Psychological Services at Columbia University.
            Elizabeth is committed to addressing the psychological needs of her clients in a sensitive, supportive, and clinically effective manner. Elizabeth belives in tailoring treatment to meet the individual needs of her clients, and she promotes self-reflection, insight, and the development of intervention/remediation strategies as important components of the treatment process. Her command of Spanish and training in multiculturalism add to her work a diverse understanding of linguistic and cultural dimensions of the treatment process.

Raised in Maryland, Lynda received her B.A. from the University of Maryland, where she majored in Creative Journalism and Women’s Studies. After living in Florida, Colorado, Arizona, New Mexico, and New York, she found her home in Austin in 2002. She lives with her husband, two teenage daughters, a black lab mix and a fiesty kitten. Recently Lynda went back to school at St. Edward’s University where she received her M.A. in counseling with a 4.0 GPA.

Lynda believes that the relationship between client and therapist is a crucial part of the healing process. Through kindness and compassion, the therapist’s role is to listen deeply and then gently nudge the client toward their personal truths. Her practice is largely informed by the work of Carl Rogers, but draws from other types of therapy as well, including Cognitive Behavioral, Existential, Jungian, and Feminist theory. Lynda enjoys working with adult men and women, and has a special passion for helping women to find joy and fulfillment in their “wisdom years” – the second half of their lives.

Kara received her Bachelor’s from Purdue University and a Master of Arts in Counseling from St Edwards University. She began her clinical work at My Healing Place, an agency that provides grief and loss therapy. She also has received couples therapy training in Gottman Method Couples Therapy. Kara values her life experiences and professional endeavors which have included activism, graphic design and project management; she considers all of her life experiences an integral part of who she is today.

Viewing therapy as a joint effort between client and therapist, Kara places importance on creating a safe and empathic therapeutic environment. She believes that problems and life challenges should be considered from a systemic perspective, meaning relationship dynamics and interactional patterns impact our thoughts, behaviors and feelings. Kara also places importance on exploring contextual issues such as the experience of gender, race, ethnicity, social class and sexual orientation. Throughout therapy she focuses on exploring each person's life story and finding strengths in each individual. Kara works with her clients to set therapeutic goals which can be revisited and revised as therapy proceeds forward.

            A native of Austin, David received his undergraduate degree in Christian Studies from Howard Payne University. He served as a pastor for six years and decided to go into full-time psychotherapy when he received his Masters of Science in Marriage and Family Therapy. David is now a doctoral student in a PhD in Counselor Education and Supervision program and is a regular presenter at professional conferences and local education seminars. David approaches therapy as a collaborative work between client and therapist that draws upon the client’s unique strengths and resources to promote desired change.

            Stacey began counseling 15 years ago when she worked as an adoption counselor assisting families and birth mothers through the process and issues of adoption.  From there she went on to support cancer patients through their healing process, directed a women's help-clinic, and co-founded a non-profit organization dedicated to helping homeless women and children.  She began working in the private practice setting after receiving her Master’s degree in Psychology from Azusa Pacific University in 2006. Stacey draws upon not only her education, in-session counseling experience, and mentor-based learning, but also her real life experiences of being a mom and wife.
            Practical and empathetic, Stacey understands that everyone encounters difficult times in their lives that include anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, anger and grief, as well as other emotional challenges.  Some of the ways Stacey helps women, couples and families move through these difficult times and make lasting positive changes include: uncovering new choices; discovering and changing thought patterns; improving communication and listening strategies; utilizing stress reduction techniques; and helping develop better parenting and relationship skills.

            Natalie was raised in Dallas & then moved to Santa Barbara, CA where she completed her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology at Westmont College. Natalie fully connected with & embraced her passion for working with people, after her first experience in individual therapy. She moved to Austin to do her graduate work in counseling & marriage & family therapy at St. Edward’s University. Having completed her degree she is now a Licensed Marriage & Family Therapy Associate under the supervision of Sabrina Kindell, LPC-S, LMFT-S.
            Natalie collaborates with individuals & couples to mold the therapy experience to best facilitate growth & change. She feels that improved self esteem & personal autonomy can help access the courage to begin reevaluating patterns of coping, relating, & behaving. Natalie has an unspoken, shared understanding with “Generation Y” & clients managing various life transitions (graduating, going back to school, relationship changes, moving). She also integrates Gay Affirmative Therapy concepts with her systemic foundation when seeing gay individuals & couples.
            In her everyday life, Natalie loves music, especially the many live performances in Austin, reading, & being outdoors with her dog & loved ones.

            Shawna was born and raised in Los Angeles and relocated to Texas in 2008 with her family. In 2000, Shawna earned her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology at Johnson C. Smith University in Charlotte, NC. In 2007, she also earned a Master’s of Arts degree in Forensic Psychology at the Chicago School of Professional Psychology in Illinois. Shawna has had the pleasure of working in educational settings, delinquency programming, corrections, probation/parole and psychiatric/residential settings.
            Counseling is a process, so Shawna’s focus is on the here and now, self exploration and how that may impact the future. Her goal is to insure the safety of the community through the knowledge and education of mental health and holistic treatment to rejuvenate the body, mind and soul.

            Kathryn Martin holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in dance, and has choreographed, danced, and taught in the Midwest, Los Angeles, and Central Texas. She was formerly certified by A.C.E. and AFPA and provided freelance personal training concurrent with teaching in the kineseology dept. at California State University at Los Angeles.
            With a background in physical fitness and function and an interest in mental fitness and function, she now practices psychotherapy with a holistic perspective on her clients. She has worked with children, clients struggling with eating disorders and food issues, clients recovering from chemical dependency issues, as well as those challenged by someone else with these problems.

            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.

            Stephanie holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Industrial Psychology from Fairmont State University in Fairmont, WV and a Master’s of Science degree in Industrial Relations from West Virginia University in Morgantown, WV.  Stephanie also holds a Master of Arts in counseling from St. Edward’s University in Austin, TX. She has lived in Austin since 1989 and was employed in the high-tech industry for over a decade.  She has multiple interests including cooking, playing music, knitting and reading.  Stephanie is an active member of her church and is trained in both TheoPhostics and Stephen Ministries.
            Stephanie embraces an all-encompassing approach toward counseling based on Albert Ellis’s theory of Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT).  REBT is an action-directed therapy in which emotional and behavioral problems are addressed through exploration of one’s beliefs.  Ellis believed that if you change your thinking, you can change your life.  Based on this premise, she believes it is important to explore multiple areas of your life and the beliefs you act upon in order to discover opportunities where you can implement empowering changes. She works closely with clients to facilitate such an exploration.  This collaborative effort leads to a customized approach to therapy based on the needs of each individual and involves a whole-life application which includes the mind, body and spirit. She believes it is important for each client to feel empowered, encouraged and educated during the counseling process.

            A native of Minnesota, DeeAnn attended the University of Minnesota, receiving a BS in Business Management. After twenty years in the business world and raising two children, DeeAnn attended St. Edward’s University in Austin, Texas, receiving a Master’s degree in Counseling, specializing in Marriage and Family Therapy. Her first experience was working with court-ordered clients for the Municipal Court in Austin, Texas.  Currently she is working with women dealing with change of life issues and coping with acting-out teenagers, depression and anxiety disorders, and relationship issues. She is certified in premarital assessment and couples counseling, is an educator for Twogether in Texas, a state program for premarital couples and couples in conflicted relationships, and is qualified to teach “Within our Reach” and “Family Wellness.”
            DeeAnn has partnered with “Here to Help.” This program provides quality care to patients who are taking Suboxone.  Along with a team of experts, she provides counseling to help improve one’s success of independence on drug and alcohol. When DeeAnn finds extra time, she volunteers for Victim Services for the City of Austin and crisis pregnancy for Gabriel Project.

           Raised in Louisiana, Kirby received a Bachelor's from Louisiana State University and a Master of Arts in Counseling from St. Edwards University in Austin. She began her clinical work with Communities In School at a local middle school. From there she moved onto working with youth and their families at Lifeworks, a local nonprofit agency. Kirby enjoys the energy that children and adolescents carry with them.
           Kirby’s mission is to create a therapeutic experience that is authentic and comfortable, where the client feels that she is relatable and reliable. She believes the therapeutic relationship is a significant part of the counseling experience, and strives to provide the highest standard of care for each individual and family. With her individualized approach, she meets each clients’ needs by joining them exactly where they are from the time they begin therapy. A primary focus throughout therapy is finding the existing strengths. Kirby also collaborates with her clients to set and adjust goals throughout the process. She uses many different techniques including experiential, play, art, and talk therapy with her clients.

           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 been in Austin ever since. I have an undergraduate degree in psychology, minor in biology and a master’s degree in counseling. I am a certified mediator and a licensed professional counselor-intern. This is my last quarter in the PhD track for human services and I am so excited about that! I currently work overnights at a crisis counseling call center where 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 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 am bilingual, and speak Texas’ native Spanish fluently. In therapy sessions with me, we will try to plan out what your goals are 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.

               Un texano nativo, que originalmente llegó desde el valle del río grande y vivió allí hasta que me mudé a Austin, Texas, para ir a la Universidad en 1999. Desde entonces he estado en Austin. Tengo una licenciatura en psicología, menor en biología y un Master en asesoría. Yo soy un mediador certificado y un consejero-interno con licencia profesional. Este es mi último trimestre en la pista de doctorado para servicios humanos y yo estoy tan emocionado. Actualmente trabajo noches en una crisis de asesoramiento call center donde ayudo a una variedad de trabajo de las personas a través de sus problemas, pero principalmente que proporcione un lugar seguro y ayudando a entorno para clientes compartir sus experiencias conmigo.

           Yo soy un consejero ecléctico, esto simplemente significa que voy a usar cualquier cosa y todo lo que he aprendido alguna vez para tratar de obtener le volver sobre la pista y donde piensa que pertenece. Yo soy bilingüe y hablan a español nativo de Texas con fluidez. En sesiones de terapia conmigo, vamos a intentar planificar lo son sus objetivos y explorar maneras de lograr esos objetivos para usted. En última instancia, estoy aquí para escuchar a usted y le ayudarán a lograr su propósito. Distintos de mi educación superior, he tenido experiencia en todas las formas de asesoría incluyendo: sesiones crisis, crianza de los hijos, niños, familias, grupos, individuo y relación. I prosperar en el aprendizaje y excel en le enseña a ser su mejor.

           Paige graduated from Baylor University with a B.S. degree, and then went on to receive her Masters in Counseling from Denver Seminary where her program emphasized the importance of integrating theology and psychology, which as proved to be essential in her counseling. Paige began her counseling work at Joy House of Denver, a residential home for women and children leaving abusive situations where she gained experience working with issues related to abuse, addiction, and parenting. After her move back to Texas, she worked with both adults and children at a non-profit counseling center helping individuals with a number of presenting issues. Recently, Paige has also been a counselor at a both a middle school and high school where she has gained experience working as counselor for adolescents struggling with a variety of mental health and family challenges. Paige is currently receiving weekly supervision from Marilyn Oakes, M.A., LPC.

           Paige believes that there is hope and change for every human being, regardless of their history or experiences. She maintains an understanding of how systematic influences such as family and life experiences play into other significant issues such as addiction and mental and emotional functioning that effects other areas of life. She uses empathy and unconditional care and acceptance to help clients gradually let down the walls they may have built up over time.

           Kelly graduated from St. Edward’s University with her Master’s degree in counseling in 2007. She has been working in the holistic healing field for 16 years. Kelly has extensive knowledge in a wide range of modalities to offer clients the tools to balance mind, body, and spirit.  She also has more than 20 years experience in the recovery process and is committed to helping clients find life beyond addiction, codependency and associated self-esteem issues.