Therapists in Austin, TX

Through the course of your life, you have formed certain patterns of thinking or behaving, and while these patterns may have served you for a time and actually helped you survive, now they may be getting in the way of you living a fulfilling, happy life. Together we can explore the underlying patterns that are keeping you stuck in life circumstances that are no longer serving you. While therapy is a different process for everyone, connection, with ourselves and others, is fundamental to living a meaningful life. I am passionate about working with both individuals and couples on a variety of issues.

I am an individual and couples counselor based in Austin, TX. I specialize in Imago Relationship Therapy, developed by Dr. Harville Hendrix and Dr. Helen LaKelly Hunt in 1980, which is built on the idea that conflict is a natural occurrence in human interaction and moving through it with openness and curiosity allows for our relationships to deepen and expand. Often when we are stuck, we numb out. Often when we are afraid, we get defensive. Thankfully there are tools like the Imago dialogue that can assist us in fostering a more loving and conscious presence with ourselves, our partners, and our families.

Life is complex and at various transitional times life can become confusing. In counseling, the integration of our conflicting emotions is at the heart of who we are and how we struggle. It is equally important that you feel safe, valued and respected as we develop our therapeutic relationship. Together we will explore and validate your true authentic self; develop skills to confront life's challenges and embrace the joys; delve into your feelings and emotions with understanding and acceptance. Finding your voice, understanding your emotions and choosing behaviors that reflect yourself at best will weave our therapeutic relationship together.

We live in a world that places numerous pressures on us as caregivers, employees and partners. The pressure and the expectations of others, and those that we place on ourselves, can sometimes feel overwhelming and unsustainable. I feel passionate about giving individuals and couples the tools to prioritize themselves and their relationships in these hectic times. I believe that when we are tested, personally or professionally, it can be a great opportunity to bring in growth and healing.

To learn and grow, children require a tapestry of love, safety, and challenge. When the challenges youth face exceed the amount of resources available, therapy can be helpful. Private, goal oriented, engaging and fun activities can motivate youth to participate in a process they might otherwise avoid. In my practice, I help children address anger, depression, trauma, school related difficulties, divorce, and adjustment issues. With over 20 years of clinical expertise, I understand that children's therapy is most effective when the process is safe and interesting. In my practice I help youth and families embrace needed change by using their strengths to solve problems.

You might be dealing with some intense circumstances, feeling overwhelmed, anxious, or depressed. Having a nonjudgmental guide help sort through current and past pain can help make that process more manageable. As that guide, I am excited to help you turn down the volume of life's busyness, tune in to your inner self, and uncover unmet emotional needs. As you enter the safe haven of therapy each week, you will gain a freedom to be authentically you, learn how to better handle distress, and find ways to heal from past wounds that bog you down in current relationships.

Sometimes we don’t understand the feelings coming up in us. Things happen that make it hard to trust ourselves or others, don’t they? Sometimes we wonder if we'll always feel lonely. We might ask why our relationships turn out the way they do, or why we try the same things over and over. When we’re waiting for the other shoe to drop or when life feels muddled or grey, we can wonder if this is all there is.

You may be feeling so anxious, down, angry, or stressed that it's affecting your work, career, relationships, and daily life. Or you're struggling with a relationship-you’re feeling distant and disconnected from people you care about, or from people in general. Or you have a sense that there is something wrong with you, like you always have to do better and achieve more in order to be "good enough". Maybe you're doing things to get relief that are now causing problems of their own, like drinking/using drugs, procrastinating on important tasks, staying up late zoning out on your phone or binging tv, or other behaviors.

In times of stress, we tend to forget that healing comes from the inside out! Major changes such as marital conflict, divorce, dementia in a loved one, anxiety, or depression may give more questions than answers. Depth psychology provides deeper understanding of your life. Often solutions are crying out from your own heart if only someone would listen. I will listen and together we will find strategies, resources, and solutions so that you have the life and relationships you want. I offer years of experience working with children and adolescents, families, and crisis intervention. Call for free consultation.

For individuals: Do you often find yourself worried or "in your head"? Do you find yourself being taken advantage of or having difficulty asserting yourself? Do you avoid confrontation or feel uncomfortable in social situations? Perhaps you even have frustrating physical symptoms. If you can relate to any of these inquiries, I can help. Individual work with me is tailored to your specific needs but often focuses on learning how to: manage anxiety, set and maintain boundaries, build comfort with asserting yourself, grow self-confidence, and challenge the doubts and insecurities that keep you from living a happy, full life.

I believe we all have good intentions. I've been working in counseling for 15 years, and I've found that everyone is trying to do what they feel is right. Unfortunately, experiences that shaped us and the environment in which we were raised can lead us to question what we believe to be right. This confusion can lead to depression, anxiety, attention deficit, and addiction. I love working with clients who know what they want to do and who they want to be, but are struggling to make that happen. Contact me. Let's work together to create your best, most authentic self.

Looking for clear insights and applied skills to better manage your life’s challenges? I specialize in working with clients facing challenges related to anxiety, stress, anger, sleep, work/life transition issues, and relationship issues. I have extensive training/experience working with topics specific to men/masculinity, veteran/military populations, and individuals working in technology industries. I primarily use first, second, and third wave cognitive behavioral therapy approaches to help clients develop a clear set of practical skills to improve behavioral and thought patterns that are keeping them stuck in unhealthy cycles.

Emotional, psychological, and interpersonal/social growth is a continual process of self transformation and change. At points when one feels stuck or confused in that process, or when life just isn't working, it often helps to connect with a therapist. I provide a safe space where you can be, or recover/rediscover, your authentic self; deepen the emotional connection with yourself and others; clarify thoughts, beliefs, and values; consider new ways of being in the world and w/others; develop healthier adaptive strategies for relating to yourself and others; and work through past and/or present griefs and traumas.

I work successfully with youth struggling in their everyday lives. Examples include anxiety over internal conflicts, grades, peers, & parents. I enjoy working with adults as they navigate new transitions i.e. marriage, parenthood or experience the challenges of parenthood. I'm interested in helping individuals & families deal with end of life planning trying to answer the awkward question, "So, what do you want to do?" What life saving measures should be taken if you become ill? What relationships need to be repaired? I want to help facilitate this difficult topic with elderly parents or terminally ill youth.

Are you ready to make some changes in your life, but not sure how? In therapy we can work together to figure out what is holding you back and make a plan for you to move forward. The common roadblocks that I help people overcome are anxiety, depression, transitions in life, and issues in relationships. I enjoy helping young women work through these issues. Being a young adult can be a difficult time in life. It is full of big decisions and new experiences. It is common to feel overwhelmed by it all, especially in today's world.

Adapting to unfamiliar or challenging circumstances can be confusing and overwhelming. I work collaboratively, respecting your perspective and efforts to resolve the obstacles that may be inhibiting your growth and sense of well-being. If you are seeking a non-judgmental opportunity to explore your concerns and appreciate a facilitated process that is compassionate, individualized and goal-directed, I invite you to contact me to determine if we might be a good fit.

*I Am Accepting New Clients in Colorado and Texas* Do you find yourself having difficulty communicating with your partner, having the same arguments over and over again, no matter what you do? You may be fed up with not feeling appreciated in your relationship, feeling disconnected or like you and your partner are not on the same "team" anymore. One thing is for sure, you’re ready for some relief. You’re ready to communicate more effectively with your partner. You’re ready to regain the intimacy and you once felt. Most of all, you’re ready to create the kind of close partnership you always hoped you would have.

Be Seen. Be Heard. Be Known. These three brief sentences perfectly summarize my approach as a therapist. I am seeking to be a safe, non judgmental place for my clients to rest and truly be seen, heard and known. I use a multitude of therapeutic approaches (DBT, CBT, Family Systems, Attachment, Narrative, Solutions Focused to name a few) but believe my skills as a relational clinician differentiate me amongst the crowded field of options. I work with Individuals (13+), Couples and Families. I find it a great honor to be a therapist and walk alongside those seeking help and I look forward to connecting with you.

Are you struggling in your relationship? Are you longing for a stronger connection and better communication? I work with couples who are looking to heal and grow to create the relationship of their dreams.

Do anxiety, trauma and insecurity run your life more than your values and dreams? Do you relive the past as if it were happening right now? Your head knows better, but it fails to convince your heart otherwise. As challenging as those experiences were for the past, they continue to zap away your joy and confidence today. You might even avoid situations that trigger the feelings.