Our therapists provide family therapy in Austin, TX

Melissa Fogarty is a Licensed Professional Counselor with 15 years of experience. She started her career with children and adolescents at risk for mental health issues such as personality disorders, mood disorders, trauma and PTSD, abuse, depression, and anxiety. She soon discovered it is important to consider outside influences on behavior and began working with families as a system. This allows clients to share their stories and allows Melissa to put all of the pieces together for a better understanding. A passion for helping others live their best lives drives Melissa to be so dedicated.

Melissa earned her Master’s in Counseling from Amberton University. She uses a systems approach, including family systems, cognitive reprocessing therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, and person-centered therapy to help clients. The goal is to find the missing pieces to your puzzle. Families may be invited to help create a supportive environment.

Melissa takes an analytical approach. By seeing things through her clients' eyes, Melissa has an uncanny ability to completely empathize with her clients, meet them where they are without judgment, and create a safe space to work together on finding answers. Reach out today!

Rose Taylor is a Licensed Professional Counselor Associate with 2 years of experience providing support to children, adolescents, and adults dealing with various concerns such as depression, anxiety, relationship issues, behavioral problems, self-esteem issues, and trauma. Her approach is rooted in empathy and focused on understanding individual experiences. Rose firmly believes in working collaboratively with her clients to help them achieve their goals, uncover their inner strength, and develop resilience to face life’s challenges and setbacks.

Rose received her Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from the University of West Alabama. She employs a range of individualized clinical approaches including solution-focused therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, emotionally focused therapy, person-centered therapy, mindfulness, and motivational interviewing.

Facing emotional pain and considering change can be overwhelming. Rose considers it a privilege to provide a safe and supportive space for you to begin your healing journey and is ready to help you cultivate healthy relationships and develop coping strategies for times of transition and adjustment. Schedule an appointment with Rose today!

Sarah Whitlock is a Licensed Professional Counselor with 20 years of experience in the mental health field. She is passionate about supporting adolescents, adults, and seniors as they navigate life’s challenges and pursue personal growth. Her areas of specialty include depression, anxiety, grief, chronic illness, and major life transitions. Sarah is known for her warm, compassionate approach and for helping clients find purpose and strength within themselves.

Sarah earned her Master’s in Clinical Psychology from the University of Houston. She draws from mindfulness, cognitive behavioral therapy, and motivational interviewing to tailor care to each person’s needs. She believes healing starts with trust and is honored to walk alongside clients on their journey.

Sarah understands that seeking help is deeply personal. She aims to create a safe space where clients feel seen, heard, and empowered. Whether you're coping with loss, facing transitions, or simply seeking clarity, Sarah is here to support you as you turn the page and begin a new chapter in your life.

Katrease Matthews, Licensed Professional Counselor, is passionate about supporting adolescents and adults through anxiety, depression, and life transitions. With a background in criminal justice and clinical mental health counseling, she brings 2 years of experience and a trauma-informed, compassionate approach to help clients feel seen and supported. Katrease has worked in outpatient mental health settings, schools, and child welfare systems, offering individual, group, and family therapy. She specializes in issues related to self-esteem, identity, and unresolved trauma.

Katrease holds a Master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Lamar University. She meets clients with empathy and curiosity, helping them explore emotions, reduce distress, and build confidence. Using evidence-based practices, she fosters clarity, emotional balance, and resilience in a safe, nonjudgmental space.

Clients often seek Katrease for her calm, grounded presence and ability to create a space of trust and care. She offers a healing environment where individuals feel heard and supported as they move through emotional pain toward greater self-awareness and hope. Schedule your first appointment today!

Shondreka Amos is a Licensed Professional Counselor with 3 years of experience in the field. Shondreka has provided support across adolescent group homes, emergency shelters, and psychiatric hospitals. Her work includes helping individuals and families navigate challenges related to depression, anxiety, ADHD, child abuse, neglect, and relationship issues through couples counseling.

She holds a Master’s degree in Community Counseling from Argosy University. Shondreka uses an integrative approach and advocates for learning healthy coping skills. She believes that while life presents inevitable obstacles, setbacks, and challenges, healing begins by learning how to navigate and process those experiences effectively.

You’ve already taken the brave step of seeking support. Take the next one—Shondreka will partner with you to focus on your needs and goals, using proven strategies and techniques tailored to help you overcome challenges and build resilience.

Chloe Gibson is a Licensed Professional Counselor Associate with 2 years of experience. She enjoys assisting adolescents and adults with a range of concerns such as depression, anxiety, anger, academic stress, low self-esteem, grief/loss, trauma, and life transitions. Before joining Thriveworks, Chloe worked in settings including university, partial hospitalization, crisis intervention, and community outreach. With an empathic listening ear, Chloe provides a safe place for clients to tell their stories. She focuses on strengths, not flaws, and how to use them to cultivate resilience.

Chloe received her Master of Science in Counseling Psychology from Angelo State University. She takes an eclectic approach to therapy and uses a variety of modalities including cognitive behavioral therapy, solution-focused brief therapy, emotion-focused therapy, narrative therapy, and positive psychology.

Many people equate themselves with their issues, but Chloe encourages you to externalize the problem and write a new story. She views you as the expert and guides you through challenges while instilling confidence. If you are ready to better your mental health, reach out to Chloe today!

LPC Associate Supervised by Traci Phipps LPC-S

Nikki Easter is a Licensed Professional Counselor with 12 years of experience. She began her career supporting individuals with substance use challenges, and later expanded her expertise to clients facing trauma, grief, anxiety, and identity-related concerns. Nikki has worked extensively with marginalized populations, including those experiencing chronic homelessness, domestic violence, and severe mental illness.

Nikki earned her Master’s in Community Counseling from Argosy University. She uses a trauma-informed, strength-based approach. She primarily uses CBT and integrates modalities like ACT, mindfulness, distress tolerance, and psychodynamic therapy to support healing and emotional growth in clients of all backgrounds.

Nikki believes healing isn’t linear. She creates a safe, judgment-free space for clients to work through fears, doubts, and emotional setbacks. Nikki’s compassionate approach helps you move forward with confidence and clarity when navigating trauma or life transitions.

Luz Ordaz is a bilingual Licensed Professional Counselor, who is being supervised by Chris Hansen LPC-S, with 2 years of experience supporting diverse populations. With a background in both military and civilian sectors, Luz brings a broad skillset to help clients overcome emotional challenges such as addictions, parenting, and relationship issues. She supports clients dealing with anxiety and depression, promotes social justice, and upholds high ethical standards.

Luz earned her Master’s in Mental Health Wellness Counseling from Angelo State University. She is committed to building strong, lasting relationships that support her clients’ therapeutic goals. Luz values a compassionate, client-centered approach and encourages growth through validation, trust, and understanding.

Therapy with Luz empowers clients to gain insight, build resilience, and move forward. She believes expressing emotions fosters healing, deeper self-awareness, and stronger relationships. Luz is passionate about helping individuals navigate life’s challenges while equipping them with coping skills for lasting emotional well-being.

Jenny Betancis is a bilingual (English/Spanish) Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) with over 13 years of professional experience. She works with clients between the ages of 10-65 and above who are struggling with depression, trauma, anxiety, anger, women's issues, stress, life transitions, relationship issues, and much more.

Jenny holds a Master's degree in Community Counseling from Webster University and a Bachelor's degree in Psychology. She has training in eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) and trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy (T-FCBT).

Jenny is truly excited to help each client achieve their pinnacles of wellness. Schedule your session with her today and begin your journey toward better mental health with Jenny's support.

Chinwe Nzerue-Obi is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) who has 4 years of experience in the mental health field. Chinwe has worked with and helped people of all ages overcome anger, anxiety, depression, grief, substance use/abuse, parenting and relationship issues, and much more. She has been privileged to help near school drop-outs get back into school, stay in school, and graduate. Chinwe is a Certified Christian Counselor for the benefit of clients who draw strength from their faith. She also holds a Multicultural Counseling Certification, enhancing her ability to work across ages, cultures, and countries.

Chinwe completed her Master of Education (MEd) in Counseling at the University of Houston. Prior to this, she was a practicing attorney from Nigeria, having graduated from the Counsel of Legal Education, Victoria Island, Lagos, with a law degree from the University of Jos. For Interventions, Chinwe's theoretical approach is solution-focused brief therapy (SFBT) because she believes that when people “need help, help cannot wait.” She also uses cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) to help keep the mind and body whole.

No matter what the issue is, you too can be helped. When it is beyond us, rest assured that an adequate referral will be made. Chinwe believes that with determination and the will for a better life, you can work together to help you BE THE BEST YOU ARE CREATED TO BE.

Yeteast Ashley Green is a Licensed Clinical Alcohol and Drug Counselor (LCADC) who is in the process of becoming a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC). She has over 3 years of experience assisting teens, adults, and seniors who are seeking help in managing the effects of addiction, OCD, racial identity issues, low self-esteem, alcohol abuse, anxiety, depression, anger, and poor coping skills.

Yeteast received a Bachelor of Science in Biblical Counseling from the College of Biblical Studies—Houston in 2009 and a Bachelor of Science in Psychology in 2011 from the University of Phoenix—Houston. She begin training for her license in chemical dependency in 2008, working part-time at a residential home for men. Yeteast graduated from Houston Baptist University with a Master of Art in Psychology. She utilizes cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), rational emotive behavior therapy (REBT), and more.

Partner together with Yeteast to address the concerns in your personal life that are affecting your mental health. She'll work with you to overcome your obstacles and achieve your goals and ambitions with newfound confidence and mental clarity.

Eric Thompson is a Marriage and Family Therapist who has supported others in their times of need for 24 years. During his career he has assisted individuals of all ages struggling with anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, relationship stress, parenting, and childhood concerns. Eric believes self-improvement is a process accomplished one step at a time and that it begins with simply being listened to. He provides validation, acceptance, and safety to all who sit in front of him and seeks to empower clients with the courage to face their fears, try new things, give hope a chance, and find peace in their life condition.

Eric completed a Master's degree from Dallas Theological Seminary. He utilizes various treatment methods including cognitive behavioral therapy, narrative therapy, solution-focused therapy, and attachment therapies. Regardless of the theoretical process used, Eric has an innate ability to connect with others to build a positive clinical relationship.

None of us are perfect and we all experience challenges. It takes courage to seek help, and Eric urges you to take the first step. Schedule an initial appointment today!

Julie Burnett is a counselor with 11 years of experience. Her focus is working with clients ages 11 and older — individuals, couples, and/or families. Julie believes that all people deserve to be treated with respect and, therefore, respect is a foundational part of her counseling sessions. Julie specializes in general mental health, relationships, grief and loss, domestic abuse, and parenting. She believes that clients are the experts on their own lives, so they are the ones to choose the topics for each session while Julie brings various techniques that can help. Together they create healthy life goals and decide what techniques they want to try. Julie believes that she is here simply to be a helping hand, a listening ear, and a friendly guide as the client navigates through difficult times. In order to help clients find their way to healing on the other side of pain, Julie provides new insights, teaches new skills, introduces new knowledge, helps to broaden the client’s focus, and encourages clients to practice new skills. While Julie will never preach to the client or try to change their beliefs about faith, as a Christian, she views the world through a biblical lens.

Since she was young, Julie has wanted to help people work through their problems so they can have happier, healthier lives. She often found herself being the one her friends went to for help with their problems. She saw counseling as a way to help others. During her studies she was excited to learn that the best helping skill is listening non-judgmentally, the one skill she had been practicing since she was young. She also learned many other counseling techniques and skills that she integrates into sessions with clients. Since earning her counseling degree in 2011, she has served in a variety of settings. She has worked with victims of domestic violence and sexual assault survivors, with active and recently retired military personnel, and with high school students. She has also kept a private practice where she has been able to work with all ages and a variety of issues. As she has worked with clients throughout the years, she has found that, regardless of age, healthy relationships and boundary setting are typically common goals for clients as we all strive to live a healthy, productive life. Julie allows the client to lead the session while she helps keep it focused on the path toward healing and healthy life goals. Some of the therapies Julie uses include person-centered, Adlerian, cognitive behavioral, and mindfulness.

Julie understands that reaching out for counseling can be a scary time for clients. But she would like you to know that you have nothing to fear from her. Counseling with Julie is a safe space where all emotions are welcome, she will not judge you for your thoughts, actions, or emotions! Julie has been told that she is a very down-to-earth counselor, and she is excited to meet you and help you begin your journey on the path to a healthier and more joyful life.

Crystal Wilson is a Licensed Professional Counselor Associate with a year of experience in the mental health field. She specializes in assisting individuals, couples, and families who have a variety of concerns including chronic illness, depression, anxiety, ADHD, giftedness, life transitions, relationship issues, and parenting challenges as well as mood and personality disorders. Crystal works with adults up to age 75, and children ages 5 to 17. Crystal spent 29 years in education before wanting to help families and individuals more personally led her to become a counselor.

Crystal earned her Master’s in Marriage and Family Therapy at Lamar University. She combines various treatment modalities such as cognitive behavior therapy, dialectical behavior therapy, solution-focused therapy, and psychodynamic therapy to help clients think in new ways and identify workable solutions.

As we navigate life’s challenges, asking for help is not always simple. Crystal wants to ensure you don’t have to struggle alone and that you feel safe showing up as you are with your feelings. Reach out to schedule an appointment and take the first steps toward solutions.

Melissa Isaacks is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) who has over 4 years of experience treating a plethora or counseling goals, including ADHD, generalized anxiety disorder, depression, grief, anger management and transitional disorders. She takes great care to treat children, adolescents, adults, and family clients with a warm and caring attitude. 

Melissa graduated from Texas Tech University with her Bachelor's degree in psychology and a Master's degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. She utilizes cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), reality therapy, and play therapy techniques as well as other treatment modalities in her sessions. Melissa believes in fostering the parent-child relationship when counseling children and families while creating a safe and trusting environment where open expression thrives. 

Melissa provides a non-judgmental environment where clients can feel comfortable being themselves and are encouraged to make changes to develop their best selves. She works with clients ages 3 and over and creates an individualized treatment plan for each client to reach their counseling goals.

Traci Phipps is a Licensed Professional Counselor-Supervisor (LPC-S) in the state of Texas with 19 years of experience treating children, adolescents, adults, and seniors who are struggling with depression, anxiety, trauma, depression, family conflict, difficult life transitions, dysfunctional relationships, sexual abuse, and much more.

Traci earned her Bachelor's degree in Psychology from Tulane University and her Master's degree in Clinical Psychology from Midwestern State University. Traci seeks to align with every client using a person-centered approach to identify the changes the client wishes to make in their own lives and the barriers or obstacles preventing those changes. Traci helps clients by crafting small, attainable steps that can be taken to move towards those desired changes.

She believes in meeting each client where they are in terms of skills and interpersonal relationship style while remaining person-centered, strengths-based, and continually focused on progress. Traci wants to establish an open, honest and supportive relationship with you while helping you maintain direct communication and encouraging assertiveness in your relationships with others.

Dominica Johnson is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) who has 5 years of experience working with all different populations, including adults, children/adolescents, and geriatric, while providing individual, family, couples, and group counseling. Dominica has also worked with clients who suffer from drug/alcohol addiction, depression, anxiety, family/relationship issues, anger problems, communication problems, and severe mental health disorders such as schizophrenia, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), bipolar disorder, attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), etc. She has helped many people who have experienced physical trauma, sexual abuse, and emotional abuse.

Dominica completed her Master of Science (MS) in Mental Health Counseling at Capella University. She is easygoing, open, accepting, and flexible. Her counseling style is warm, collaborative, and welcoming. Dominica’s approach combines cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), humanistic, psychodynamic, solution-focused therapy, person-centered therapy, and rational-emotive counseling. She will tailor your dialog and treatment plan to meet your unique and specific needs/goals. Seeking counseling can be a hard step for anyone to take. Dominica is here to support and empower you in your time of need, and she looks forward to working with you!