Our Team

Licensed Psychologist

Alina Khomenko, PsyD

AREAS OF SPECIALTY

Dr. Khomenko’s primary clinical interests include Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, Anxiety Disorders (including Specific Phobias, Panic Disorder, Social Anxiety Disorder, and Generalized Anxiety Disorder), Tourette’s Disorder, and Body-Focused Repetitive Behaviors (such as hair pulling and skin picking). While she has had experience with clients across the lifespan, Dr. Khomenko primarily works with adolescents and adults.

In addition to her clinical work, Dr. Khomenko provides clinical supervision to postdoctoral fellows.

APPROACH TO THERAPY 

Dr. Khomenko brings compassion, empathy, and directness to her work with clients. Utilizing a collaborative approach, Dr. Khomenko works closely with clients in a supportive environment to identify their individual goals and needs. She utilizes a strengths-based approach in her work, empowering and guiding clients to move toward meaningful progress and values-based behavioral change. Additionally, Dr. Khomenko recognizes the importance of the therapeutic relationship in facilitating desired change and works on creating an atmosphere of acceptance, safety, and openness. Dr. Khomenko focuses on equipping individuals with skills to facilitate desired life outcomes. She is trained in and consistently utilizes evidence-based approaches to treatment, which include Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Exposure Response Prevention (ERP), and Habit Reversal Training (HRT). Additionally, she incorporates Acceptance and Commitment Therapy into her work, particularly mindfulness-based and values-based interventions.

EDUCATION, TRAINING, AND EXPERIENCE

Dr. Khomenko received her Bachelor of Science degree from Brooklyn College of the City University of New York, graduating Magna Cum Laude. She then obtained her Master of Science in Education (MSEd) in School Psychology from Brooklyn College and worked as a School Psychologist for several years in the New York City public school system. Dr. Khomenko then went back to school and obtained her Doctor of Psychology degree in School Psychology from the APA accredited Graduate School of Applied and Professional Psychology (GSAPP) at Rutgers University. Dr. Khomenko is a licensed psychologist in the state of Texas (38026).

Dr. Khomenko has experience working with children, adolescents, adults, and families in various outpatient settings. Through her training at the Tourette’s Syndrome Clinic at Rutgers University, she acquired extensive experience working with individuals with OCD, Tourette’s Disorder, and anxiety disorders. These areas are of particular interest to her. Additionally, she participated in the Tourette’s International Collaborative Genetics study at Rutgers University, the largest sharing cell and genetics repository for Tourette Disorder.

Dr. Khomenko completed an APA-accredited pre-doctoral internship at Southwest Behavioral and Health Services in Arizona, a community mental health agency, where she conducted individual and group therapy with a diverse population of adults facing a wide range of psychological challenges. She also collaborated with medical personnel, psychiatrists, and outside agencies to coordinate client care. Dr. Khomenko began her journey at AAAOCDS as a postdoctoral fellow in 2018 and continued on with the practice as a licensed psychologist thereafter. She also had the privilege of overseeing AAAOCDS’ training program as Director of Clinical Training from November 2020- February 2022. Dr. Khomenko has completed intensive training in OCD treatment through the International OCD Foundation’s Behavior Therapy Training Institute (BTTI) and is committed to ongoing learning and professional development.

PERSONAL INTERESTS

When not in the office, Dr. Khomenko enjoys traveling, hiking, exploring Austin, and wondering what her cat is thinking.

AVAILABILITY

Dr. Khomenko provides online video therapy sessions and also sees clients at our Westlake office. For more information about Dr. Khomenko’s availability or to schedule an appointment please call (512) 246-7225 or visit our client portal.

Clinical Postdoctoral Fellow

Ansimone Youssef, PsyD

AREAS OF SPECIALTY

Dr. Youssef’s primary clinical interests include Obsessive Compulsive Disorder and related disorders, Anxiety Disorders, Depressive Disorders and crisis intervention. Dr. Youssef enjoys collaborating and working with individuals across the lifespan; however, she is currently primarily accepting adolescent and young adult clients. 

APPROACH TO THERAPY 

Dr. Youssef understands that starting therapy can be a very vulnerable process. Thus, Dr. Youssef meets the client where they currently are and takes the time to build a therapeutic relationship that is rooted in cultural humility, warmth, compassion, and curiosity.  She works on creating a non-judgmental, collaborative atmosphere in therapy as she believes this is an important foundation to establish a strong therapeutic relationship and help guide the client towards meaningful behavior change. 

Dr. Youssef is trained in and consistently utilizes evidence-based treatment approaches including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Exposure Response Prevention (ERP), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT). Dr. Youssef also incorporates Motivational Interviewing (MI) into her work with clients. She is also passionate about utilizing a biopsychosocial framework of conceptualization in therapy to help explore and support clients’ holistic health needs.

EDUCATION, TRAINING, AND EXPERIENCE

Dr. Youssef received her Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of California, Riverside. Dr. Youssef continued on to receive her Doctor of Psychology degree in Clinical Psychology from the APA accredited California School of Professional Psychology (CSPP) at Alliant International University in Los Angeles.

Dr. Youssef has experience working with children, adolescents, adults, and families in various outpatient settings. During her pre-doctoral practica and internship experiences, Dr. Youssef worked with individuals across the lifespan in community mental health, intensive outpatient, and primary care/hospital settings where she regularly consulted with interdisciplinary team members. Dr. Youssef’s training experiences have fostered a deep value for interdisciplinary collaboration and consultation when necessary. In addition, Dr. Youssef completed an advanced externship at the UCLA Pediatric Anxiety and OCD Intensive Outpatient Program as part of her clinical training where she acquired extensive experience providing Exposure Response and Prevention (ERP) treatment to children and adolescents diagnosed with severe OCD and anxiety disorders and their families. These areas are of particular interest to her. 

Dr. Youssef completed an APA-accredited pre-doctoral internship at Nebraska Internship Consortium in Professional Psychology at the Munroe-Meyer Institute (MMI). She spent the year providing services in a rural primary care clinic, where she conducted individual and group therapy with children, adolescents, and (young) adults facing a wide range of presenting concerns including challenging life adjustments, depression, anxiety, OCD, trauma, ADHD, and autism. She also collaborated with medical personnel, psychiatrists, and outside agencies to coordinate client care. 

Dr. Youssef is currently completing her postdoctoral fellowship under the supervision of Dr. Khomenko.

PERSONAL INTERESTS

Dr. Youssef enjoys outdoor activities, exploring Austin, art, and video-chatting with her dogs. 

AVAILABILITY

Dr. Youssef provides online video therapy sessions and also sees clients at our Westlake office. For more information about Dr. Youssef’s availability or to schedule an appointment please call (512) 246-7225 or visit our client portal.

Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist

Ayla Bridges, LMFT

Ms. Bridges’ clinical interests include OCD, anxiety disorders, panic disorder, specific phobias, ADHD, body-focused repetitive behaviors, and externalizing behavioral concerns. Ms. Bridges is particularly passionate about helping clients and their families to manage their symptoms through new experiences, positive reinforcement and healthier coping mechanisms. Ms. Bridges is experienced in working with people across the lifespan and particularly enjoys working with children, young adults, and adults.

APPROACH TO THERAPY

Ms. Bridges believes that experience is our best teacher. However, sometimes we need additional support to muster the internal and external skills one needs to face certain experiences. Ms. Bridges’ aim is to make her clients their own best therapist by warmly and collaboratively working with clients and their support network to develop tools and strategies to address their symptoms and face their fears. She uses cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) to help clients build insight and develop practical ways of approaching difficult situations. As well as exposure and response prevention (E/RP) to help clients systematically face feared situations. Ms. Bridges is also versed in parent-child interaction therapy (PCIT), and the COMBs model.

EDUCATION, TRAINING, AND EXPERIENCE

Ms. Bridges received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Sonoma State University in Psychology and Liberal Studies (The Hutchins Program). She earned a Master of Science degree in Child and Family Studies, with a specialization in Marriage and Family Therapy from Northern Illinois University. Ms. Bridges has experience working with children, adolescents, parents, families, and young adults in non-profit and private practice settings, as well as in a Wilderness Therapy setting. After graduate school, Ms. Bridges worked as an MFT Associate at The Santa Rosa Center for Cognitive Behavioral Therapy where she received extensive training and experience in the treatment of all anxiety disorders, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), Insomnia, and Habit Disorders, including skin picking and Trichotillomania under the supervision of Litsa Tanner. After successfully completing the training program and gaining licensure in California in 2019. She is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in the state of Texas (204387) and the state of California (117144).

COMMITMENT TO ONGOING EDUCATION

Ms. Bridges highly values education, and frequently seeks out training to deepen her clinical knowledge. Her professional affiliations include:

American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT)

Texas Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (TAMFT)

Austin Association of Marriage and Family Therapy (Austin AMFT)

California Association for Marriage and Family Therapists (CAMFT)

PERSONAL INTERESTS

In her spare time, Ms. Bridges enjoys spending time with her family, exploring Austin, walking, baking and playing board games with friends.

AVAILABILITY

Ms. Bridges provides online video therapy sessions and also sees clients at our Round Rock office. For more information about Ms. Bridges availability or to schedule an appointment please call (512) 246-7225 or visit our client portal.

Licensed Psychologist, Licensed Specialist in School Psychology, Clinical Director

Carissa Cerda, PhD

Dr. Cerda specializes in working with children, adolescents, and their caregivers. Her primary clinical interests include obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), trauma, depression, and anxiety disorders (including generalized anxiety, social anxiety, specific phobias, separation anxiety, selective mutism, and panic disorder).  She also has experience with disruptive behaviors and body-focused repetitive behaviors.  Additionally, given her experience working as a Licensed Specialist in School Psychology (LSSP), Dr. Cerda possesses an understanding of special education services within the Texas public school system.

In addition to her clinical work, Dr. Cerda is the Clinical Director at Austin Anxiety and OCD Specialists and the Site Director at the Westlake office location.

APPROACH TO THERAPY

Dr. Cerda places emphasis on developing a trusting therapeutic relationship with the children and adolescents she serves.  She prioritizes acceptance, compassion, collaboration, and approachability within the therapeutic relationship.  Dr. Cerda is guided by a developmental framework and she takes an integrative approach to therapy, which allows her to tailor therapeutic services to the unique needs, goals, and pace of each individual. Dr. Cerda incorporates acceptance and commitment therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, behavioral therapy, exposure and response prevention, self-compassion practices, and systems theory in her clinical work.  Her professional and personal experiences have reinforced her belief in resiliency and the importance of heeding culture, identity, and the various, interconnected systems that impact children’s development.  Dr. Cerda values consultation and collaboration with families, schools, and other treatment providers to allow for learning about the whole child and to support children within their various systems.

EDUCATION, TRAINING, AND EXPERIENCE

Dr. Cerda earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology at Texas A&M University in College Station, TX. She also received a Master of Education degree in Educational Psychology and a Doctor of Philosophy degree in School Psychology at Texas A&M University. She has received training in cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy (T-F CBT), exposure and response prevention (ERP), and parent child interaction therapy (PCIT).

Prior to joining the practice, Dr. Cerda served children and adolescents in outpatient, school, and medical settings and in a child advocacy center. She completed an APA-accredited pre-doctoral internship at the Texas Child Study Center and Dell Children’s Medical Center in Austin, Texas, where she gained experience providing evidence-based therapy to children, adolescents, and families experiencing a wide range of concerns. Dr. Cerda completed a postdoctoral fellowship at Bastrop Independent School District where she conducted monolingual and bilingual evaluations of children for special education services. She also gained experience in providing school-based counseling services, conducting functional behavior assessments (FBA), consulting in the creation/implementation of behavior intervention plans (BIP), and participating in Admission, Review, and Dismissal (ARD) meetings. She is a licensed psychologist (37492) and a licensed specialist in school psychology (70777) in the state of Texas.

PERSONAL INTERESTS

Dr. Cerda loves animals, especially horses and dogs. She is particularly fond of her beloved beagle. Dr. Cerda’s favorite way to spend time is in the countryside with her friends and family or outdoors listening to live music. She also enjoys reading, creating art, exercising, going for long walks, and watching football.

AVAILABILITY

Dr. Cerda provides online video therapy sessions and also sees clients at our Westlake and Round Rock offices. For more information about Dr. Cerda’s availability or to schedule an appointment please call (512) 246-7225 or visit our client portal.

Clinical Postdoctoral Fellow

Casey Thornton, PhD

Dr. Casey Thornton’s interests include working with adults experiencing internalizing (e.g., major depressive, obsessive-compulsive, generalized anxiety, posttraumatic stress disorder) and personality-related (e.g., borderline, obsessive-compulsive) concerns. He has a particular interest in evidence-based methodologies, measurement-based care, cognitive-behavioral case conceptualization/formulation, and complex comorbidity.

APPROACH TO THERAPY

Dr. Thornton’s approach to therapy involves collaboration, measurement-based care, and evidence-based methodologies. He is a proponent of collaborative empiricism, in which the client and therapist work together to identify concerns and work towards change. Consistent with this, he views the client-therapist dyad as a team, as the client is an expert on their life (which is invaluable to treatment).

Dr. Thornton is trained in evidence-based approaches to treatment, primarily including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT). Dr. Thornton also includes aspects from Motivational Interviewing (MI) into his work with clients as necessary.

EDUCATION, TRAINING, AND EXPERIENCE

Dr. Thornton received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from the University of Kansas in Lawrence, Kansas. He earned a Master of Arts degree in Clinical Psychology from Texas A&M University – Corpus Christi in Corpus Christi, TX. Dr. Thornton earned a Master of Arts degree in Psychology and Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degree in Clinical Psychology from Texas Tech University in Lubbock, TX. Dr. Thornton has experience providing outpatient individual therapy, group therapy, and psychodiagnostic assessments within community mental health, university, hospital, academic medical, collegiate athletic, and forensic settings. He has also been involved in treatment outcome research for those experiencing concerns related to obsessive-compulsive, obsessive-compulsive personality, and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (with comorbid symptoms related to major depressive and/or generalized anxiety disorder). Dr. Thornton completed an APA-accredited pre-doctoral internship at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center/Oklahoma City Veteran Affairs’ (OUHSC/OKCVA) Consortium in Oklahoma City, OK. At the VA, he gained experience within various clinics, including the Substance Treatment and Recovery, Trauma Recovery Services, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, and ADHD and Personality Assessment clinics. Dr. Thornton is currently supervised by Dr. Emily Kindschi (#38446).

PERSONAL INTERESTS

Dr. Thornton enjoys weightlifting, tennis, and spending time with his wife, his family, and his cats.

AVAILABILTY

Dr. Thornton provides online video therapy sessions and also sees clients at our Westlake and Round Rock office. For more information about Dr. Thornton’s availability or to schedule an appointment please call (512) 246-7225 or visit our client portal.

Clinical Postdoctoral Fellow

Chelsy Thornton, PhD

Dr. Thornton enjoys providing therapy to children and adolescents with various presenting concerns including, but not limited to, anxiety, trauma, problematic behaviors, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and depression. She also finds it rewarding to conduct assessments for children and adolescents with possible learning disorders, ADHD, intellectual disability, autism spectrum disorder, and other presenting concerns.

APPROACH TO THERAPY

Dr. Thornton takes a compassionate and evidence-based approach as she adapts treatment to clients’ individual needs and goals to foster change and growth.

Dr. Thornton works primarily from a Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) lens and integrates components of other treatments when beneficial. She has training in and experience providing traditional CBT as well as  Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT), and Parent Management Training.

Dr. Thornton has experience working in interdisciplinary teams and collaborates with families, schools, and other treatment providers to provide the best care.

EDUCATION, TRAINING, AND EXPERIENCE 

Dr. Thornton earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Honors Psychology from The University of Texas at Austin. She earned her Master of Arts degree in Psychology and doctorate degree in Clinical Psychology from Texas Tech University. Dr. Thornton has experience conducting assessments with and providing therapy for children, adolescents, and adults in community, university, and medical settings. Dr. Thornton completed an APA-accredited pre-doctoral internship at The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center where she provided therapy and assessment services in community mental health.

Dr. Thornton is currently completing her postdoctoral fellowship at Austin Anxiety and OCD Specialists under the supervision of Drs. Samantha Myhre, Ph.D. and Rebecca Suffness, Ph.D. where she is gaining additional training in the treatment of anxiety disorders and OCD-spectrum disorders.

PERSONAL INTERESTS

During her free time, Dr. Thornton enjoys dancing, live music, working out, and spending time with her husband and family.

AVAILABILITY

Dr. Thornton provides online video therapy sessions and also sees clients at our Allandale and Round Rock offices. Dr. Thornton also conducts assessments at our Westlake office. For more information about Dr. Thornton’s availability or to schedule an appointment please call (512) 246-7225 or visit our client portal.

Licensed Psychologist

Emily Kindschi, PsyD

Dr. Kindschi’s professional passions and clinical expertise are in the treatment of anxiety disorders (particularly of obsessive-compulsive disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, social anxiety disorder, and panic disorder) as well as depression/mood disorders and trauma-related difficulties. She also specializes in treating people with perfectionistic struggles, self-esteem concerns, and challenging interpersonal dynamics. While Dr. Kindschi has provided care for individuals across the lifespan, she primarily works with adult individual and couples therapy clients. 

APPROACH TO THERAPY

If you are considering Dr. Kindschi for a therapist, you can expect active, change-oriented therapy that incorporates techniques from cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), exposure and response prevention (ERP), acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), and mindful self-compassion. Dr. Kindschi believes in meeting the person where they are at, and promoting progress through a strengths-based and consistent behavioral approach, emphasizing the acquisition of practical skills and acceptance. Throughout treatment she prioritizes the therapeutic relationship, creating a trusting and safe space for clients to share their experiences, and to provide educational and collaborative treatment. Within the relationship, Dr. Kindschi offers an open and affirming attitude when working with the individual to encourage meaningful growth and values-consistent behaviors. 

She is committed to providing innovative and empirically-supported treatment, recognizing the importance of individualized care. Thus, Dr. Kindschi approaches therapy with a mindful intention of first assessing and understanding a client’s unique experience and goals for therapy, and then tailoring the treatment plan based on each person’s needs and level of readiness. As therapy involves an honest and collaborative relationship, Dr. Kindschi offers and welcomes person-centered and compassionate feedback throughout treatment. She is passionate about what she does and wants to help clients succeed in their various short- and long-term goals. As such, Dr. Kindschi is also available for consultation to help determine the best therapeutic fit.  

EDUCATION, TRAINING, AND EXPERIENCE

Dr. Kindschi earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology and Sociology as well as a certificate in Criminal Justice at the University of Wisconsin—Madison. She received her Master of Science and Doctorate of Clinical Psychology degrees from the APA-accredited Wisconsin School of Professional Psychology in Milwaukee, WI. Throughout her academic training, Dr. Kindschi completed several clinical practicums working with children, adolescents, and adults by providing individual and group psychotherapy as well as psychological testing and assessment in numerous outpatient, partial hospitalization, and residential programs. She completed her APA-accredited internship at La Frontera Center in Tucson, AZ, where she gained a breadth of experience working in various facets of community mental health by providing integrated outpatient care, treating university students with co-occurring learning and/or attentional disorders, and working with clients experiencing severe and persistent mental illness in a residential setting. Dr. Kindschi received further specialized training in treating OCD, anxiety, and mood disorders during her 18-month postdoctoral fellowship at St. Louis Behavioral Medicine Institute in their Center for OCD and Anxiety-Related Disorders IOP setting in St. Louis, MO. 

Dr. Kindschi is a clinical psychologist dually licensed in the states of Texas (38446) and Missouri (2018042717). 

COMMITMENT TO ONGOING EDUCATION

Dr. Kindschi highly values education, and frequently seeks out training to deepen her clinical knowledge. Her professional affiliations include:

American Psychological Association

Anxiety and Depression Association of America

PERSONAL INTERESTS

During her free time, Dr. Kindschi enjoys spending time with her two cats, going to concerts, hiking outdoors, and being a true cheesehead at heart by continually cheering on the Green Bay Packers and Wisconsin Badgers. 

AVAILABILITY

Dr. Kindschi provides online video therapy sessions and also sees clients at our Westlake office. For more information about Dr. Kindschi’s availability or to schedule an appointment please call (512) 246-7225 or visit our client portal.

Practicum Student

Hyo-Mi (Mia) Pak Neri, B.A.

Mia specializes in working with children and adolescents. Her primary clinical interests include Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD), Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD), Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD), depression, and Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). 

APPROACH TO THERAPY

Mia takes a strengths-based approach to therapy and strives to meet clients where they are. She values collaboration with families and takes the time to discuss what particular treatment approach may be most helpful. Mia understands the developmental considerations in treating children and adolescents. She uses evidence-based treatments such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), exposure and response prevention (ERP), and acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT). 

EDUCATION, TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE

Mia earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Anthropology at California State University at Long Beach. Mia is currently earning her Master of Arts and Doctor of Philosophy degrees in school psychology at the University of Texas at Austin. Mia has completed a Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental and Related Disabilities (LEND) Fellowship. She is a Graduate Research Assistant for Dell Children’s Developmental Behavioral Pediatric Clinic and Dell Children’s Educational Advocacy Program.  

Mia has experience working with children and adolescents in outpatient clinics and educational settings. She has received training in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), Motivational Interviewing (MI), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). Mia is currently under the supervision of Dr. Samantha Myhre. 

PERSONAL INTERESTS

Mia enjoys exploring Austin, baking, crafting, and cheering on the New York Yankees and Las Vegas Golden Knights  in her free time.

AVAILABILITY

Mia provides online video therapy sessions and also sees clients at our Allandale Office. For more information about Mia’s availability or to schedule an appointment please call (512) 246-7225 or visit our client portal.

Licensed Professional Counselor, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist

Jayne Gaddy, M.A.

Ms. Gaddy specializes in working with children, teens, families, and women of all ages. She has worked with clients with diverse backgrounds over the thirty-plus years as a therapist; various ages, races, socioeconomic statuses, educational levels, occupations, and genders. With client issues ranging from anxiety to sexual abuse to divorce recovery to grief to fostering and adoption, Ms. Gaddy provides a safe, caring relationship through the therapeutic partnership. 

APPROACH TO THERAPY

Ms. Gaddy uses a blended approach to therapy in that she chooses from various therapeutic methods to most benefit her client’s goals and needs. Some examples: Parent-Child Interaction Therapy, Play Therapy, Cognitive Behavior Therapy, Mindfulness, Family Systems, Art Therapy. The ultimate objective is to increase the understanding of thoughts and behavior patterns in order to help increase one’s functioning and well-being and to decrease the bothersome thoughts and behaviors that negatively impact day-to-day living. Depending on what the presenting issue is, Ms. Gaddy tailors her approach to treatment so that the client reaches the goal they are desiring to achieve. Anxiety also affects family relationships, so Ms. Gaddy finds it beneficial to include family members in treatment, when indicated.

EDUCATION, TRAINING, AND EXPERIENCE

Ms. Gaddy graduated from Wheaton College in Illinois with both her Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology and her Master of Arts degree in Clinical Psychology. She is licensed as a Professional Counselor (#10604) and also as a Marriage and Family Therapist (#3053). She has worked in multiple settings with children and adolescents: in-patient hospitals, residential treatment centers, a therapeutic day school, and many years in private practice. She most recently worked in Houston as a Clinical Director and therapist at an Anxiety Center where she assisted clients of all ages and diagnoses.

PERSONAL INTERESTS

Ms. Gaddy’s primary interest outside of work is her family. She is a mother of four and grandmother of two. She and her husband prioritize pouring into their children’s and grandchildren’s lives more than any other chosen activity. Ms. Gaddy loves hiking, photography, and music; she finds ways to integrate them all with family time.

AVABILITY

Ms. Gaddy is currently accepting clients in Westlake and for teletherapy. For more information about Ms. Gaddy’s availability or to schedule an appointment please call (512) 246-7225 or visit our client portal.

Licensed Psychologist

Julia Clark, PhD

Dr. Clark’s clinical interests include anxiety disorders, mood disorders (e.g., depression), self-harm, suicidality, self-esteem, and behavioral management of disruptive behavior disorders. She has experience working with clients across the life span and particularly enjoys working with children, adolescents, and young adults.

APPROACH TO THERAPY

Dr. Clark prioritizes building a strong therapist-client relationship to ensure that clients and their families feel comfortable in therapy. She pulls from a variety of evidence-based methods to create a personalized approach. She regularly checks in with clients to ensure that they feel heard and feel therapy is effective for them. Dr. Clark believes therapy should never happen “to” a client, but rather “with” a client, in a collaborative, dynamic approach. She takes a strengths-based approach to therapy. She approaches her work with openness, humor, and warmth.

Dr. Clark has training across Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), behavioral management training, and Motivational Interviewing (MI). She also has a strong background in psychological assessment. She is therefore able to pull from a range of evidence-based therapies to create an approach
that works for the individual client. She highly values collaboration with care teams, including with psychiatrists and physicians, school personnel, and other treatment providers.

EDUCATION, TRAINING, and EXPERIENCE

Dr. Clark earned her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Whitman College in Walla Walla, Washington, graduating summa cum laude and with honors in major. She then worked as a research assistant at Stanford University in the social psychology department, managing large research projects and working on educational interventions. She attended the University of New Orleans, from which she received her Master of Science degree in Applied Developmental Psychology. She then moved on to Louisiana State University, earning her PhD in Clinical Psychology, with a focus on child psychology. Her APA-accredited pre-doctoral internship was at the University of Utah Neuropsychiatric Institute (now called the Huntsman Mental Health Institute) in Salt Lake City, where she worked with children, adolescents, and adults hospitalized for psychiatric concerns. She completed two years of postdoctoral fellowship through Morrissey-Compton Educational Center in Redwood City, California, where she received extensive training in comprehensive psychoeducational and psychological assessments, co-led social skills groups, and saw clients for individual and family therapy.

Dr. Clark has worked across a range of settings, client ages, and presenting concerns throughout her years of training. The settings in which she has worked include: an outpatient medical pediatric clinic, a day treatment summer camp for children with ADHD, multiple inpatient psychiatric hospitals, a partial hospitalization program, an outpatient nonprofit educational and psychological clinic, and an outpatient nonprofit providing services for children in the foster care system.

PERSONAL INTERESTS

Dr. Clark enjoys spending free time with her family and friends (including her dog), exploring new food places around town, baking, hiking, reading mystery novels, doing crossword puzzles, and traveling.

AVAILABILITY

Dr. Clark provides online video therapy sessions and also sees clients at our Allandale office. For more information about Dr. Clark’s availability or to schedule an appointment please call (512) 246-7225 or visit our client portal.

Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist

Lauren Garfield, LMFT-S

Ms. Garfield has experience helping others with concerns including depression, anxiety, trauma, stress, parenting, grief and loss, building healthy relationships, and improving self-esteem. Ms. Garfield is particularly passionate about helping clients to decrease and manage anxiety, supporting parents and their children in building positive bonds, and helping individuals and families who are confronted with difficult life transitions. Ms. Garfield works with children, adolescents, parents, families, and young adults.

APPROACH TO THERAPY

Ms. Garfield holds the belief that we are all able to cope with difficult experiences, but that sometimes a particular problem outweighs the internal and external skills and support to which we have access. She uses cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) to help clients build insight and develop practical ways of approaching difficult situations. Ms. Garfield also views individuals and families through a family systems lens, with a deep understanding of how relationships significantly impact each person’s beliefs about themselves and the world. Therapy certainly approaches challenges, failures, sadness, and fears, but Ms. Garfield also values celebrating successes, joys, and strengths.

EDUCATION, TRAINING, AND EXPERIENCE

Ms. Garfield received a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of California, Santa Cruz in Psychology, with Honors, with a minor in Music. She earned a Master of Arts degree in Counseling Psychology from Santa Clara University. Ms. Garfield has experience working with children, adolescents, parents, families, and young adults in school, residential, and private practice settings, as well as the Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Department at Kaiser Permanente Santa Clara. Prior to beginning graduate school, Ms. Garfield gained research experience in the Life-span Development Lab at Stanford University where she assisted with studies examining motivation and emotion changes across the lifespan. She is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in the state of Texas (202903).

COMMITMENT TO ONGOING EDUCATION

Ms. Garfield highly values education, and frequently seeks out training to deepen her clinical knowledge. Her professional affiliations include:

American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT)

Texas Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (TAMFT)

Austin Association of Marriage and Family Therapy (Austin AMFT)

California Association for Marriage and Family Therapists (CAMFT)

PERSONAL INTERESTS

In her spare time, Ms. Garfield enjoys spending time with her family, exploring Austin, and cheering for the Golden State Warriors.

AVAILABILITY

Ms. Garfield provides online video therapy sessions and also sees clients at our Round Rock office. For more information about Ms. Garfield’s availability or to schedule an appointment please call (512) 246-7225 or visit our client portal.

Licensed Clinical Social Worker

Lydia Bailiff, LCSW

Lydia specializes in working with children, adolescents, and families. Her clinical specialties  include generalized anxiety, school- related anxiety, disruptive behaviors, trauma, depression,  and life transitions.

APPROACH TO THERAPY

Lydia’s approach to therapy strongly emphasizes the therapeutic relationship, ensuring clients feel safe and compassion. She takes a systems approach to meet the needs of each child and  family. Lydia values the connection between families, schools, physicians, and other providers  to ensure each client’s therapeutic treatment is uniquely tailored.  Lydia primarily uses Cognitive- Behavioral Therapy (CBT), while incorporating Acceptance and  Commitment Therapy (ACT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Motivational Interviewing (MI), and mindfulness into her work.  

EDUCATION, TRAINING, AND EXPERIENCE

Lydia earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Social Work from the University of Oklahoma and a  Master of Social Work from the University of Texas at Arlington. She has received training in  Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Trauma- Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (T-F CBT),  and Trust- Based Relational Intervention (TBRI). Lydia has significant experience working in education, where she provided school-based therapeutic services to both general education  and special education students. She would also complete assessments, treatment plans, and  connect families to additional community resources as needed. Lydia is a Licensed Clinical  Social Worker in the state of Texas (64314). 

PERSONAL INTERESTS

In her free time, Lydia enjoys being outdoors, hiking, traveling, reading, and spending time with her family and dog.

AVAILABILITY

Lydia is currently accepting clients in Westlake and for teletherapy. For more information about Lydia’s availability or to schedule an appointment please call (512) 246-7225 or visit our client portal.

Licensed Psychologist

Mehwish Shahid, PhD

Dr. Shahid specializes in working with children, adolescents, and families. Her primary clinical interests include social anxiety, generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), specific phobias, separation anxiety, and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Additionally, given her training in School Psychology, Dr. Shahid is knowledgeable about the educational supports and accommodations provided to students via 504 and special education services within the public school system.

Approach to Therapy

Dr. Shahid is passionate about establishing strong, trusting relationships with her clients. She enjoys collaborating with clients not only to help them learn the evidence-based skills needed to cope with anxious thoughts and feelings, but to assist them in practicing those skills during challenging situations. Dr. Shahid utilizes a cognitive-behavioral orientation within an ecological systems framework, which considers the role of sociocultural factors in children and adolescents’ development. She has experience working with a diverse range of individuals, and she strives to deliver culturally sensitive services to clients. 

Education, Training, and Experience

Dr. Shahid completed her undergraduate training at the University at Albany, SUNY, where she earned her Bachelor of Arts Degree in Psychology. She then went on to attend the University of Rhode Island, where she earned her Master of Arts and Doctor of Philosophy degrees in Psychology, with a specific concentration in School Psychology. For her doctoral dissertation, she conducted a study exploring students’ attitudes and preferences towards seeking help for mental health concerns, particularly anxiety disorders. 

During her graduate career, Dr. Shahid received training in Cognitive Behavior Therapy and Exposure Response Prevention Therapy through the Child Anxiety Program at the University of Rhode Island’s Psychological Consultation Center. During this time, Dr. Shahid gained experience providing evidence-based treatment to children and adolescents struggling with a variety of anxiety disorders, including OCD, social anxiety, generalized anxiety, separation anxiety, and specific phobias.

Further, Dr. Shahid completed practica in several different school districts across the states of Rhode Island and Connecticut. In these practica, she received training in providing counseling to children and adolescents with a variety of needs and completing cognitive, academic, and behavioral assessments for special educations evaluations. 

Dr. Shahid completed her predoctoral internship in the Bastrop Independent School District, where she provided school-based counseling to students with disabilities such as autism, depression, ADHD, and learning disabilities. She also completed evaluations for special education services. Additionally, Dr. Shahid provided consultation services to teachers and parents, conducted functional behavior assessments (FBA), contributed to the development and implementation of behavior intervention plans (BIP), and participated in Admission, Review, and Dismissal (ARD) meetings. 

Personal Interests

Dr. Shahid enjoys traveling, reading, and hiking. As a foodie, she also greatly enjoys exploring new restaurants around Austin. 

Availability

Dr. Shahid provides online video therapy sessions and also sees clients at our Round Rock office. For more information about Dr. Shahid’s availability or to schedule an appointment please call (512) 246-7225 or visit our client portal.

Licensed Clinical Social Worker

Melissa Erb, LCSW-S

Melissa Erb LCSW-S (she/her) has experience working with clients across the lifespan and particularly enjoys working with children, adolescents, and young adults. Melissa’s clinical interests include anxiety disorders (generalized, social, separation, and school avoidance), OCD, depression, self-harm, suicidality, self-compassion, trauma and behavioral management of disruptive behavior disorders. 

APPROACH TO THERAPY

Melissa prioritizes building a strong therapeutic relationship with the client to ensure that clients and their families feel comfortable, understood and safe. Melissa believes in using a direct and warm approach, using curiosity to create a non-judgmental space. As a clinician with foundations in social work, Melissa believes the biggest changes happen when family members and caregivers are involved in making changes alongside the client, to improve wellness within the whole family system. 

Melissa uses a variety of evidence-based methods to create a personalized approach to therapy that will meet the client’s needs. Melissa has received training and utilizes the following modalities most often: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT), Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT), Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT), Mindfulness-Based Self Compassion, and Motivational Interviewing. Melissa also offers parent coaching and divorce support for children and families.  Melissa enjoys using unconventional approaches and adapting old ideas to fit a client’s likes and interests.  

EDUCATION, TRAINING, AND EXPERIENCE

Melissa earned her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, with a minor in Political Science from The University of Miami, in Coral Gables, FL. She earned her Master of Social Work degree at Baylor University in Waco, TX. In her graduate studies, Melissa completed internships as a case manager for a private foster care agency and as a counselor at a rural behavioral health clinic. 

Following graduate school, Melissa provided services across a range of settings, client ages, and presenting concerns throughout her years of training. The roles and settings in which she has worked include: providing clinical assessment and intervention to persons in the county jail, providing individual, group and family therapy in a residential treatment facility for adolescents in the juvenile probation system, serving as a Guardian ad Litem in the family court system, and as a clinical therapist in a non-profit outpatient mental health clinic providing services for children and families. 

Melissa has received training in Motivational Interviewing, crisis intervention (including managing suicidal and self-harm behaviors), Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT) and in Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT). Melissa is certified to provide TF-CBT through the National Therapist Certification Program. In 2020, Melissa became a board-approved clinical supervisor for licensed master social workers seeking their clinical license. Melissa has experience working as a field instructor for master’s level social work students. 

Melissa is eager to expand her experience at AAOCDS and continue to grow and adapt her clinical skills based on her client’s needs. She is a licensed clinical social worker in the state of Texas (#58136).

PERSONAL INTERESTS

In her free time, Melissa enjoys spending time with her family, friends, and her cats. She enjoys playing board games, throwing pottery, traveling and taking care of her assorted succulent and cacti collection. Melissa enjoys practicing mindfulness, yin yoga and yoga nidra. Melissa is passionate about social and racial justice issues and strives to keep up to date on current policy issues that impact our community.  

AVAILABILITY

Melissa provides online video therapy sessions and sees clients at our Allandale office. For more information about Melissa’s availability or to schedule an appointment please call (512) 246-7225 or visit our client portal.

Director, Licensed Psychologist

Misti Nicholson, PsyD

Licensed Clinical Social Worker

Molly Mead, LCSW

Molly Mead LCSW (she/her) primarily works with children, adolescents and young adults. As a clinician with foundations in social work, Molly is passionate about working with children and their families to make strides towards mental health and wellness within the family system. Molly’s clinical interests include anxiety disorders, OCD, depression, phobias, body-dysmorphia and behaviors. Molly strives to use curiosity and courage to empower her clients to make the changes they seek. Molly deeply values empathy and humanity and strives to be approachable and welcoming in her work. 

APPROACH TO THERAPY

Molly believes whole-heartedly that the foundations of a healthy therapeutic relationship are based in connection and having a true understanding of her client’s goals. In her therapeutic approach, Molly’s preferred modalities are Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Solution Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT), often incorporating a great deal of play and creativity into those methods to build connection with the client. Molly has also incorporated Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) into her work with children and teens. As a social worker, Molly understands that change is often necessitated by the whole client system and thus aims to involve supportive adults in the client’s healing process wherever possible. 

Molly’s primary goal in therapy is to provide her clients with an inviting space to explore their own strengths and utilize these strengths towards their individual goals. Molly values open communication and dialogue in an effort to ensure that client needs are being met and that therapy is an engaging space to explore their inner workings.  

EDUCATION, TRAINING, AND EXPERIENCE

Molly Mead earned her Masters of Science in Social Work (clinical track) from the University of Texas at Austin with a focus on child welfare. In her graduate studies, Molly completed a clinical internship at a family shelter providing evidence-based counseling for children experiencing domestic violence. Molly has received training in cognitive behavioral therapy, solution focused brief therapy, crisis intervention and is eager to continue training in new modalities, specifically exposure and response prevention. Molly has a special interest in trust based relational therapy and continues to strive to apply the theory in her work. 

Following graduate school, Molly has primarily worked with children and families through her work in the foster care system and in school-based settings. She has experience working with children and their parents who have experienced a great deal of trauma and loss.  These experiences have afforded her the opportunity to gain clinical experience as well as insight into family systems and how society shapes a client’s lived experience. Molly is eager to expand her experience at AAOCDS and continue to grow and adapt her clinical skills based on her client’s needs. Molly Mead is a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW) in the state of Texas (#66776). 

PERSONAL INTERESTS

In her free time, Molly loves spending time with her loved ones and her dog, Ozzie. She enjoys going on walks, yoga and listening to podcasts. She enjoys reading and strives to complete GoodReads challenges of # of books read every year. Other hobbies include trying new restaurants around Austin and shamelessly watching Survivor. Molly is extremely passionate about social welfare and justice and strives to keep up to date on current policy issues that impact our community.  

AVAILABILITY

Molly is currently accepting clients at our Allandale office or virtually. For more information about Molly’s availability or to schedule an appointment please call (512) 246-7225 or visit our client portal.

Licensed Clinical Social Worker

Rachel Luna, LCSW

AREAS OF SPECIALITY

Ms. Luna specializes in helping clients with anxiety disorders, trauma, and posttraumatic stress disorder. She also enjoys working with clients on relationship issues and life transitions. Ms. Luna works primarily with adults, but she also has significant experience with adolescents. 

APPROACH TO THERAPY

Ms. Luna’s primary approach to therapy is building a strong therapeutic relationship based on compassion and collaboration. She combines cognitive behavioral therapy with integrative wellness practices such as mindfulness and meditation. For clients with trauma, Ms. Luna utilizes cognitive processing therapy and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR). 

EDUCATION, TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE

Ms. Luna earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Spanish and a Master of Science in Clinical Social Work from The University of Texas at Austin. She trained in cognitive behavioral therapy in an intensive outpatient program in Austin. Ms. Luna has worked in a variety of settings, including outpatient mental health clinics, inpatient psychiatric units, veterans’ services, and in the criminal justice system. She received her training in cognitive processing therapy and EMDR while managing an outpatient mental health program for veterans. She also has significant experience working with clients with co-occurring substance use disorders. 

PERSONAL INTERESTS

Ms. Luna enjoys spending time with family, hiking, swimming, reading, and traveling. 

AVAILABILITY

Ms. Luna is accepting clients in Round Rock and for teletherapy. For more information about Ms. Luna’s availability or to schedule an appointment please call (512) 246-7225 or visit our client portal.

Licensed Clinical Social Worker

Rebecca Athanason, LCSW

AREAS OF SPECIALTY

Ms. Athanason’s clinical specialties include teletherapy, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), trauma/PTSD, eating disorders, grief-related issues, anxiety disorders, and depression. She enjoys working with teenagers, adults, seniors, couples, and families.

APPROACH TO THERAPY

Through her compassionate, action-oriented approach to therapy, Ms. Athanason maintains a safe, trusting environment to help her clients reconceptualize and better understand their experiences. She provides clients with a conceptual framework to help them understand the neurological processes that lead to their mental wellness struggles and equips them with practical skills to put into action. She uses cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), exposure and response prevention (ERP), cognitive processing therapy (CPT), and acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) in her work with clients. She also works from a Health at Every Size (HAES) perspective. Valuing the importance of taking the client’s whole environment into perspective, Ms. Athanason works closely with parents, schools, physicians, dietitians/nutritionists, and other treatment providers.

EDUCATION, TRAINING, AND EXPERIENCE

Ms. Athanason received her Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology from the University of Florida and earned her Master of Science degree in Social Work at the University of Texas at Austin. She has experience working with adults (including seniors and active duty/veterans), adolescents, and children in outpatient, residential, and inpatient treatment settings. Ms. Athanason worked at the Child and Adolescent Psychiatry department in Gainesville, Florida, where she gained valuable experience in researching and implementing cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) techniques working with patients experiencing anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder, eating disorders, trichotillomania, and mental health disorders exacerbated by physical health diagnoses. She received diverse training experiences throughout her educational career. Ms. Athanason worked with children and families at Easter Seals of Central Texas, with a focus on managing behavioral symptoms both at home and at school. During this time, she also received training in trauma focused-cognitive behavioral therapy for children and adolescents. At the Central Texas VA she worked in both inpatient hospice and the Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Clinic, where she received training and experience in CBT and cognitive processing therapy (CPT).

Post-graduation, Ms. Athanason worked with senior citizens and veterans in Austin, Texas, with an emphasis on end-of-life issues, grief, dementia/Alzheimer’s disease, and depression. She also worked with clients with acute psychiatric illness (child and adult), PTSD, eating disorders, and substance abuse (civilian, veteran, and active duty) in an inpatient and residential setting. She became a Certified Provider in CPT and received training in ACT. She also has extensive training and experience in using mindfulness and meditation for mental health issues. She is a licensed clinical Social Worker in the state of Texas (56552).

PERSONAL INTERESTS

When she isn’t in the office, Ms. Athanason enjoys spending time with her family, hiking and being outdoors, traveling, yoga, cooking, sewing, and playing with her two dogs.

AVAILABILITY

Ms. Athanason provides online video therapy sessions. For more information about Ms. Athanason’s availability or to schedule an appointment please call (512) 246-7225 or visit our client portal.

Licensed Psychologist

Rebecca Suffness, PhD

Dr. Suffness specializes in working with children, adolescents, and families, with a particular interest in working with pre-adolescents and adolescents. Her primary clinical interests include depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), trauma, generalized anxiety, and other anxiety disorders. Additionally, Dr. Suffness completed her pre-doctoral internship in the school system, which provided her with experience with and knowledge of special education services within the public school system.

APPROACH TO THERAPY

Dr. Suffness prefers to utilize evidence-based forms of therapy, but she also values personalization in order to provide the best form of therapy for each individual’s needs. As such, Dr. Suffness incorporates components from cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), exposure and response prevention, and other evidence-based treatments in her clinical work. These forms of therapy require a collaborative relationship with the clients and families, so Dr. Suffness prioritizes building rapport and ensuring that therapeutic plans are discussed at the start of treatment and as treatment progresses. Additionally, based on her experience in the school system, Dr. Suffness recognizes the importance of the time spent in school for children and adolescents, so therapy is customized to assist children and adolescents in all domains in which they are seeking help.

EDUCATION, TRAINING, AND EXPERIENCE

Dr. Suffness earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology, with a minor in English, at Duke University in Durham, NC. She also received Master of Arts and Doctor of Philosophy degrees in Clinical Psychology from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro (UNCG) in Greensboro, NC. She has received training in cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy (TF-CBT), and exposure and response prevention (ERP). She also has experience leading evidence-based group therapy in outpatient, inpatient, and school settings.

Dr. Suffness has experience working with children and adolescents in outpatient, inpatient, school, and medical settings. She completed an APA-accredited pre-doctoral internship at Virginia Beach City Public Schools (VBCPS), where she gained experience providing school-based therapy to children and adolescents experiencing a wide range of concerns that were having an academic impact for these students, including providing therapy through a program for students with severe emotional disabilities. Dr. Suffness completed evaluations of toddlers, children, and adolescents for special education services; completed threat assessments; and assisted with district-wide crisis interventions. Additionally, she participated in meetings to assess eligibility for a disability as well as meetings to discuss and implement in-school interventions for children having difficulty with emotions, behavior, and/or academics. Dr. Suffness is a licensed psychologist in the state of Texas (38044).

PERSONAL INTERESTS

While Dr. Suffness is adamant that she is not a “cat lady,” she will openly discuss her fondness for her blonde tabby named Oscar Wildecat. Dr. Suffness enjoys various movies and TV shows, reading fiction, and eating excellent food. As a Dallas native, she is a fan of the Dallas baseball, basketball, and hockey teams. Additionally, as a Duke alumna, she is a fan of Duke basketball. Dr. Suffness also loves to travel, both abroad and domestically, and she has a goal to visit all 50 states.

AVAILABILITY

Dr. Suffness provides online video therapy sessions and also sees clients at our Westlake office. For more information about Dr. Suffness’s availability or to schedule an appointment please call (512) 246-7225 or visit our client portal.

Licensed Clincial Social Worker

Rocio Avila, LCSW

AREAS OF SPECIALITY

Ms. Avila specializes in working with individuals with anxiety disorders, depression, trauma, posttraumatic stress disorder, bipolar disorder, and other co-occurring disorders. Ms. Avila enjoys working with children, adolescents, and adults and strives to empower and support them in their journey towards healing and wellness. Ms. Avila is passionate about working with BIPOC individuals and family systems. 

APPROACH TO THERAPY

Ms. Avila’s approach to therapy is to build a strong therapeutic relationship and alliance based on respect, compassion, and lightheartedness. Ms. Avila uses a combination of therapeutic techniques that include cognitive and emotion based approaches along with mindfulness and grounding work. Ms. Avila also focuses on staying true to the social work value of meeting the client where they are, so staying present and attuned to the needs of the client is also a key approach for her. 

EDUCATION, TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE

Ms. Avila is a bilingual and multicultural therapist who has dedicated the last 10+ years of her career to working with those struggling with mental health in the central Texas region.  Ms. Avila earned her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Social Work from Texas State University San Marcos, where she graduated Summa Cum Laude. 

Ms. Avila’s experience includes direct care and management of clinical operations at multiple levels of care, including acute inpatient psychiatric, and outpatient clinics. She has also served on various committees including bioethics, diversity inclusion and belonging, and speciality therapy committees.

Ms. Avila is trained in cognitive processing therapy, EMDR, emotion focused family therapy, cognitive behavior therapy, and other therapeutic modalities. 

PERSONAL INTERESTS

Ms. Avila enjoys hiking, spending time outdoors, reading a good book, and spending time with loved ones. 

AVAILABILITY

Ms. Avila  is accepting clients in Round Rock and for teletherapy. For more information about Ms. Avila’s availability or schedule an appointment please call (512) 246-7225 or visit our client portal.

IOP Coordinator, Licensed Psychologist

Samantha Myhre, PhD

Dr. Myhre’s clinical interests include anxiety disorders (including generalized anxiety disorder, social anxiety, specific phobias, selective mutism and separation anxiety), obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), co-occurring depression and self-worth. She has experience working with clients across the lifespan (ages 6+) and particularly enjoys working with adolescents and adults.

In addition to her clinical work, Dr. Myhre provides clinical supervision to postdoctoral fellows and UT practicum students, coordinates AAOCDS’ Intensive Outpatient Program, and is the Site Director at the Allandale office location.

APPROACH TO THERAPY

Dr. Myhre recognizes the therapeutic relationship as the ultimate foundation for any of her work with clients. She strives to ensure that her clients feel safe to express the most authentic version of themselves and that the process of treatment is both collaborative and educational. She finds it crucial that any client’s treatment plan is designed to be in line with their core values and the life they want for themselves. Dr. Myhre works to continually educate herself on culturally-competent practice in order to be attentive and sensitive to all aspects of diversity, multiculturalism, and identity. She approaches her work with a gentle demeanor and humor, where appropriate. Dr. Myhre also pays special attention to the roles that self-compassion, shame, mindfulness, and acceptance play in any aspect of mental health.

Dr. Myhre has a passion for evidence-based treatments and educating clients and families on how a specific treatment could be helpful for them. Dr. Myhre works primarily from a background in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and has training in and experience providing traditional CBT, Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Behavioral Activation (BA), Cognitive Behavioral Analysis System of Psychotherapy (CBASP), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), and Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT). Dr. Myhre also incorporates Motivational Interviewing (MI) and Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT) into her work.

Dr. Myhre values collaboration with families, schools, and other treatment providers to ensure optimal support from all members of a client’s environment and treatment team.

EDUCATION, TRAINING, AND EXPERIENCE

Dr. Myhre earned her Bachelor of Arts degrees in Psychology and Elementary Education from Jamestown College (now University of Jamestown) in Jamestown, ND. She earned her Master of Science degree in Psychology and doctorate degree in Psychological Clinical Science from North Dakota State University in Fargo, ND. Dr. Myhre has experience working with children, adolescents, and adults in community mental health, university, psychiatric research, and group private practice settings. Dr. Myhre completed an APA-accredited pre-doctoral internship at AspenPointe (now Diversus Health) in Colorado Springs, CO where she gained a breadth of experience working in various facets of community mental health including adult outpatient services, child and adolescent testing and assessment, integrated care in a primary care clinic, and crisis and acute inpatient settings. Dr. Myhre then completed a postdoctoral fellowship at Austin Anxiety and OCD Specialists under the supervision of Dr. Misti Nicholson, where she gained additional training in the treatment of anxiety disorders and OCD-spectrum disorders for children, adolescents, and adults. She is a licensed psychologist in the state of Texas (#38475).

PERSONAL INTERESTS

During her free time, Dr. Myhre enjoys traveling, live music, movies, being outdoors, playing and watching sports, the Austin food scene, and spending time with her family, partner, and long-haired tortie cat, Luci.

AVAILABILITY

Dr. Myhre provides online video therapy sessions and also sees clients at our Allandale office. For more information about Dr. Myhre’s availability or to schedule an appointment please call (512) 246-7225 or visit our client portal.

Licensed Professional Counselor

Sara DeShaw, MA, LPC, LCDC

Sara is a Licensed Professional Counselor and Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor who specializes in providing individual and group therapy to children, adolescents, and young adults. Over the past 11 years, she has helped clients of diverse backgrounds and ages struggling with anxiety and other related issues. She is excited to bring this experience to the clients of Austin Anxiety and OCD Specialists.

APPROACH TO THERAPY

Sara is passionate about delivering evidence-based counseling to her clients so that they are able to achieve their goals and experience positive outcomes. In her approach to therapy, she uses a variety of modalities, such as Cognitive Behavior Therapy, Client-Centered, and Solution-Focused, that are tailored specifically to her clients’ needs. She also incorporates elements of mindfulness and creative therapy. 

Additionally, she provides her clients opportunities during therapy to explore self-discovery and to develop interpersonal awareness. She strives to build trusting relationships and has unconditional positive regard for her clients. She believes therapy is an opportunity to experience a significant relationship in a safe and supportive environment where authentic change is possible.

EDUCATION, TRAINING, AND EXPERIENCE

A graduate of Texas A&M University, Sara holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology. She also holds a Master of Arts degree in Professional Counseling from Texas State University and is licensed as a Professional Counselor (#67965) and a Chemical Dependency Counselor (#12146). She has 11 years of experience in mental health counseling and case management in both the nonprofit and education sectors. Most recently, she worked in schools where she advocated for and helped implement behavior intervention support for children and adolescents with mental health needs. She also became a certified practitioner of Trust-Based Relational Intervention (TBRI). 

PERSONAL INTERESTS

In her free time, Sara enjoys gardening and working on projects around her home, as well as visiting local coffee shops and restaurants. She loves spending time with her twin sister, friends, family, and her two cats. She also enjoys walking, hiking, and practicing pilates, mindfulness, and a daily meditation practice.

AVAILABILITY

Sara is currently accepting clients in Westlake, Allandale and for teletherapy. For more information about Sara’s availability or to schedule an appointment please call (512) 246-7225 or visit our client portal.

Licensed Clinical Social Worker

Shawn Wood, LCSW

Shawn’s clinical interest includes anxiety disorders (generalized anxiety, social disorders), obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), substance use disorders, borderline personality disorder, and trauma. Shawn has worked with people from across the lifespan.

APPROACH TO THERAPY

Shawn practices in a non-judgmental way, fostering a safe and secure environment for others to explore goals and self-advocacy. Shawn has worked for over a decade with children, youth, and families struggling with mental health and addiction issues. Shawn works with clients through supportive, educational interventions to reach self-identified goals and positive outcomes using a trauma lens.

EDUCATION, TRAINING, AND EXPERIENCE

Shawn completed his bachelor of social work at the University of Manitoba, Canada, before completing his master’s in social work at the University of Waterloo, Canada. Shawn has trained in multiple treatment modalities such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Motivational Interviewing (MI), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Acceptance Commitment Therapy (ACT), and trauma approaches (PE), including the Connect Attachment Program, the Attachment Regulation Competency (ARC) framework, and the Collaborative Problem Solving (CPS) model.

Shawn has worked in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, for most of his career. He worked at the Izaak Walton Killam (IWK) Health Centre with children, youth and families experiencing acute mental health and addiction symptoms. Examples of disorders treated are autism, trauma, substance use, behavioural disorder, parenting, OCD, mood and anxiety disorder. Later in his career, he moved to work with the adult population at the Nova Scotia Health Center (NShealth). While at the NShealth he worked with adults who suffered from moderate to severe mental health and addictions symptoms in a community clinic.  He provided treatment for patients with substance use disorder, personality disorders, anxiety and mood disorders.

PERSONAL INTERESTS

Shawn enjoys playing Dungeons and Dragons weekly with his friends, going to the gym, and playing team sports (dodgeball, curling, baseball). He has also been turning his attention to research in gaming disorders and hopes to pursue this further.

AVAILABILITY

Shawn provides online video therapy sessions and sees clients at our Allandale office. For more information about Shawn’s availability or to schedule an appointment, please call (512) 246-7225 or visit our client portal.

Licensed Psychologist

Victoria Nguyen, PsyD

Dr. Nguyen’s clinical specialties include generalized anxiety, social anxiety, obsessive-compulsive Disorder (OCD), depression, and other mood disorders.

APPROACH TO THERAPY

Dr. Nguyen values the importance of collaboration and views her work with clients as a partnership. She approaches therapy with an intention of first clearly assessing and understanding a client’s experience and goals for therapy. She then works mutually with clients and families to establish an individualized, evidence-based treatment plan tailored to the unique needs of the client. Dr. Nguyen’s clients and colleagues describe her as caring and attentive. They also appreciate her sensitive yet direct approach to therapy along with her strong sense of humor.

Dr. Nguyen takes an integrative approach to her clinical work and relies on research supported interventions. Her treatment specialties include: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT).

Dr. Nguyen understands the importance of consultation and collaboration. Consistent with her comprehensive approach to care, she works closely with psychiatrists, physicians, teachers, and other mental health providers.

EDUCATION, TRAINING, AND EXPERIENCE

Dr. Nguyen received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from the University of California, Los Angeles. She has a Master of Arts in Human Development with a focus in Child Development from Teachers College at Columbia University and a doctorate degree in Clinical Psychology from Loma Linda University in California.

Dr. Nguyen has experience working with children, adolescents, and adults in outpatient, university, and hospital settings. She completed an APA-accredited pre-doctoral internship at Florida State University Counseling Center in Tallahassee, Florida where she gained experience providing evidence-based individual and group therapy to young adults within a college setting. Prior to moving to Austin, Dr. Nguyen worked as a staff clinician at Mississippi State University-Student Counseling Services in Starkville, Mississippi where she provided individual and group therapy to college students.

Dr. Nguyen is a licensed psychologist in the state of Texas (37806) and Arizona (PSY-005460). She received training in cognitive behavioral therapy and exposure and response prevention while at Austin Anxiety and OCD Specialists. She has also completed training in cognitive behavioral therapy for obsessive-compulsive disorder through a partnership between the International OCD Foundation and Massachusetts General Hospital’s Psychiatry Academy. In addition, Dr. Nguyen has also completed a 4-day bootcamp and 16-week long training in acceptance commitment therapy.

PERSONAL INTERESTS

During her free time, Dr. Nguyen enjoys spending time with family, traveling, yoga, trying new foods, and watching college football.

AVAILABILITY

Dr. Nguyen currently resides in Arizona and she provides telehealth sessions to adult clients located in Texas and Arizona. For more information about Dr. Nguyen’s availability or to schedule an appointment please call (512) 246-7225 or visit our client portal.