Our therapists offer DBT / dialectical behavior therapy in Pflugerville, TX

David is a Licensed Professional Counselor and EMDRIA Certified Therapist, in the State of Texas, who has over 12 years of experience. David has worked with clients from age 18 through 65 and older challenged with general issues and with anxiety, addiction, depression, ADHD, relationship issues, mood, grief, and trauma. David is a senior citizen and personally experiences the complexities of aging. He has previous experience with couples counseling, crisis intervention, and trauma and addiction recovery. David received a Certificate in Sexual Addictions Therapy from Mid Nazarene University.

David received his master’s in counseling psychology from the University of Saint Mary. David utilizes a variety of clinical approaches, including cognitive behavior therapy (CBT), dialectic behavior therapy (DBT), acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), mindfulness-based practices, and eye movement desensitization therapy (EMDR). David has his Level 2 Certification Feeling Good TEAM-CBT.

David truly believes in the importance of assisting others to discover the goals of each client, helping people help themselves to achieve a life that is fulfilling, peaceful, and purposeful. David is looking forward to working with you to address your needs, discover your strengths, and develop coping tools for you to enjoy life.

Rica Puazo is a Licensed Professional Counselor and a Registered Art Therapist (LPC, RAT) who holds more than 4 years of experience working in residential treatment facilities and inpatient acute care with children, adolescents, young adults, college students, young professionals, adults, and geriatrics. She has experience working with individuals diagnosed with ADHD, bipolar disorder and mood disorders, schizophrenia, conduct disorders, depression, anxiety, PTSD, trauma, substance abuse, intellectual disability, autism spectrum disorder, and neurocognitive disorders such as dementia and Alzheimer’s. Rica also has experience working with families, couples, the LGBTQIA+ community, and individuals with disabilities.

She received her Master’s degree in Counseling and Art Therapy from Adler School of Professional Psychology and her Bachelor's in Psychology from Baylor University. Rica’s approach to therapy is adapting the different theories, applying appropriate intervention, and finding the right tools and support for the client’s therapeutic goals. 

As an Art Therapist, Rica encourages exploring the art process to help individuals visualize inner struggles as well as encourage self-expression. Rica believes in building confidence in oneself to overcome and accept personal struggles. Work with her to start building self-confidence, happiness, and healthier relationships.

Dwight Newell is a Licensed Professional Counselor with over 30 years of experience in the mental health field. He has worked in outpatient, inpatient, and intensive outpatient settings to offer quality mental healthcare to assist those in need. He has worked with individuals, families, and couples to assist them in learning the steps necessary to reach their greatest level of happiness. Dwight has worked with all age ranges needing to learn skills to reach higher levels of life satisfaction. Dwight has worked with parents to help them learn ways to guide their children to attain a greater level of emotional health. Dwight has worked to assist children to have healthier relationships with peers and their families. Additionally, Dwight has worked with adults of all ages to help them reach greater levels of work/life balance and happiness. Dwight has worked with persons of all ages to assist them with situations that trigger increased anxiety, depression, and decreased functioning. Dwight specializes in mood issues, anger, anxiety, depression, and behavioral issues which contribute to problems in functioning.

Dwight completed a Master of Counseling Psychology Degree at Mississippi College. During his career, he has worked with all kinds of people struggling with a variety of psychological conditions that impeded their daily functioning. Dwight has worked with military families and helped them learn ways to deal with the unique challenges they face. Dwight has worked with people from all walks of life who simply lack confidence and motivation to reach their greatest potential as a member of society, their families, and as an individual. Dwight utilizes cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), motivational interviewing, and Christian counseling to help individuals and families learn the skills necessary to grow. Dwight's experiences in numerous settings with people from all walks of life coupled with extensive experience with the counseling approaches mentioned above allow him to assist clients wherever they may be in life and assist them in reaching their goals.

Dwight has learned some things about people throughout his career to this point. The fact is that everyone needs help figuring out the next step in life sometimes. We all have difficult experiences that we have to learn to navigate. Getting experienced, thoughtful advice can assist one at a critical crossroads in life. If you are willing to put in the effort to implement new strategies that will promote mental, physical, and spiritual growth, schedule an appointment with Dwight today!

Catherine Atkinson is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), who has a passion for helping others achieve the best versions of themselves. She is passionate about helping adolescents, adults, and families address their unique challenges and live more fulfilled lives. Catherine specializes in anxiety, relationship issues, family dynamics, and major life transitions.

Catherine completed her Master's in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from A&M University - Central Texas. She believes that effective therapy starts with establishing a strong therapeutic relationship with clients so that they feel comfortable, free from judgment, and encouraged to find solutions to reach their goals. Catherine utilizes multiple treatment approaches including Mindfulness, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Solution-Focused Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, and Family Systems. This allows her to adapt her approach to the specific needs of her clients.

We all go through challenges in life. Catherine is confident that she would be able to empower and support you on your path to gain new perspectives and techniques that will allow you to tackle whatever challenges you may be facing. If you are ready to do the work, schedule an appointment with her today!

Dr. Angela Ziskis is a Licensed Psychologist who enjoys working with adults and adolescents and has clinical experience in a variety of treatment settings, including inpatient hospitals, outpatient clinics, and the Central Texas Veterans Healthcare System. Dr. Ziskis has 10 years of experience in the mental health field.

Dr. Ziskis completed her Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Psychology at Northwestern University and her Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Clinical Psychology at Rutgers University. She has lived in the Austin area since 2012 and is a native Houstonian. 

Dr. Ziskis's approach to therapy is person-centered, that is, creating an open and honest environment to get to know you, your strengths, and your struggles. Together, she will create a treatment plan with you that will enable you to use your strengths to achieve your life goals. Dr. Ziskis is trained to provide evidence-based treatments, which include cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), and cognitive processing therapy (CPT). She often uses components of a variety of therapies to best suit your needs.