Austin Counseling Connection, PLLC

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Making the mindful connections that matter most.

About Us

The therapists at Austin Counseling Connection have a wealth of experience from diverse settings in the Austin area.  Our therapists have a minimum Master’s level education with at least 5 years experience working in the field of mental health.


Tammy Clouston, LCSW, CTRS
Board Approved Supervisor
EMDR Certified Clinician 
Psychotherapist

512-329-9455

Tammy has been dedicated to specialized work with individuals in inpatient treatment utilizing her undergraduate degree in Recreational Therapy.  Tammy has over 20 years experience working in acute inpatient and outpatient clinical settings with children, adolescents, and adults in treatment at St. David's Pavilion and Seton Shoal Creek Hospital.  With an MSSW from the University of Texas at Austin she has continued to serve families in therapy in therapeutic foster care at Caring Family Network, Lifeworks Youth and Adult Counseling Program, and Austin Lakes Psychiatric Hospital. 

Tammy employs diverse clinical skills in her work with individuals, families, and groups drawing on rich skill sets acquired through her work with her dual licenses and experience with significantly diverse client populations.  Tammy retired from her role as Director of Outpatient Services at Austin Lakes Hospital in 2011 and assumed role of full time Clinical Director and Psychotherapist with Austin Counseling Connection. She is certified in EMDR (Eye Movement and Desensitization and Reprocessing) and specializes in trauma. She is trained by the American Group Pyschotherapy Association as a group facillitator.  She is also trained in Exposure and Response Prevention for the treatment of OCD and Like Disorders.  Additionally, Tammy is trained in Suicide Risk And Reduction from the American Acadamy of Suiciology.


Shina Lee, LCSW
EMDR Certified Clinician 
Psychotherapist
512-537-6991
Shina.therapy@gmail.com
www.shinalee.com

Shina Lee is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in private practice. She has an MSSW from the University of Texas at Austin and has experience working with a diverse group of clients including adolescents, college students, and adults in mental health, medical, and psychiatric settings.  She specializes in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Solution Focused Therapy, Mindfulness, and Strength Based Therapy models that identify and strengthen the client's own resources and core competencies. She is certified in EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) and specializes in trauma. 

Her background includes working in the behavioral health and developmental disabilities unit at Austin Travis County Mental Health Mental Retardation, Easter Seals Adult Camp for Disabilities as a camp counselor, Camp Phoenix as a camp counselor for abused and neglected girls, St. David's North Austin Medical Center, Connections Intensive Outpatient Program and Austin Lakes Hospital where she was the Intensive Outpatient Program Manager. She has helped clients with a variety of concerns. She has experience and interest in the following areas: anxiety and depression, racial, cultural, and inter-generational conflict, grief and loss, sexual abuse, relational difficulties and challenges, life transitions, difficulty asserting self and setting limits, trauma, and stress management. 


Courtney Guess, LCSW
EMDR Certified Clinician 
Psychotherapist
512-730-0181
Courtneyguess.therapy@gmail.com
http://Courtneyguesslcsw.com

Courtney is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) who is a therapist in private practice and is the Intensive Outpatient Program Manager for the Intensive Outpatient Therapy program at Austin Counseling Connection. She received her bachelor's and master's degree in social work from Texas State University in San Marcos. She has experience working with children, adolescents, and adults in inpatient and outpatient psychiatric settings. Prior to working at Austin Counseling Connection, she was employed at Austin Lakes Outpatient Services for the Partial Hospitalization Program and the Intensive Outpatient Program where she worked with a diverse client population doing psychoeducational and process groups, individual and family therapy. She has also gained experience working with clients at Lifeworks Youth Resource Center, the Young Mothers & Babies Program, and at Austin State Hospital's Children & Adolescent Unit.

Courtney has worked with clients who have struggled with a wide range of challenges including stress, anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, dissociation, relational challenges, and low self esteem. She is a certified EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) therapist and specialize in working with clients who have experienced trauma and PTSD. She utilizes a variety of therapeutic methods including, cognitive behavioral therapy, solution focused therapy, and strengths based therapy.


Hilary Barton, LCSW 
Psychotherapist
512-815-2232
hilary.barton.therapist@gmail.com

Hilary Barton is a Licensed Master Social Worker providing individual and group therapy to adults and adolescents.  Hilary holds a graduate degree in Clinical Social Work from the University of Texas at Austin and has over 13 years of experience in counseling services.  Her clinical experience has included work as the Program Clinician for the Travis County Juvenile Justice Alternative Education Program, therapist in LifeWorks’ Youth and Adult Counseling and Batterer Intervention Programs, and therapist with the Settlement Home for Children’s Foster and Adoption Program. Hilary also spent 5 years working with women and children affected by domestic violence and sexual abuse at SafePlace and an additional 5 years working with adolescents and families in the Palmer Drug Abuse Program (Houston).  She is also trained in EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing).

She believes in the resilience of the human spirit and the powerful healing potential of the therapeutic process. With that perspective, Hilary utilizes a variety of strengths-based, therapeutic techniques to assist her clients in reaching their personal goals for therapy, including Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy, Solution-Focused Therapy and Motivational Interviewing.  Her commitment to client-centered therapy motivates her to pursue techniques which best suit the needs of each individual.  


Jesse Ramel, LCSW
Psychotherapist
512-553-1701
jessetherapy@yahoo.com

Austin Counseling Connection has the wonderful opportunity to work with Jesse Ramel, who is LMSW (Licensed Masters Social Worker) and Graduate from the University of Texas at Austin. Jesse has been in the healing profession for over 20 years with a background in Sports and Rehabilitation Massage Therapy, Personal Training, Meditation, Spiritual, Personal Awareness/Development Coaching, and Yoga/QiGong. He has been training in several therapeutic modalities including, Gottman couples therapy, EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing), motivational interviewing, CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy), and Hakomi. Hakomi is a body centered psychotherapy modality that is based in mindfulness. 

Jesse uses a strength-based, mindfulness, and attachment/relational approach. He sees couples and individuals.

Stephanie Cutler, LCSW
Psychotherapist

512-593-2330
Stephanie.cutler.therapist@gmail.com

 Stephanie Cutler is a Licensed Master Social Worker and provides individual, group, family, and couples therapy to adults and adolescents at Austin Counseling Connection.  Stephanie has experience working with individuals with a variety of life struggles including anxiety, depression, stress,  PTSD and trauma, bipolar disorder, and grief and loss.  She believes in providing a supportive and nonjudgmental therapeutic environment in which she and the client can collaboratively work to solve problems and achieve client goals.  She utilizes a variety of therapeutic methods including Cognitive Behavioral therapy, Solution Focused Therapy, Strength-Based Therapy, and Relational Therapy.  She is also trained in EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) and offers sliding scale.

Stephanie received her graduate degree from the University of Texas at Austin. Her background includes working diverse client populations including with adults, adolescents, and children in the Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Unit at Austin Travis County Integral Care, as a conflict mediator at St. Lawrence University in Northern New York, at Austin Counseling Connection’s Intensive Outpatient Program as a therapist, and at Austin Oaks Hospital where she is a therapist.


Eloise Terry, LCSW
Psychotherapist

512-659-6263
eloiseterry@me.com


Eloise is a Licensed Master Clinical Social Worker providing individual and group therapy to adults.  Many of her clients struggle with depression, anxiety, unstable relationships, blended famlies and life transitions.

Eloise believes the relationship between therapist and client is built upon trust, compassion, and honesty.  This is critical in helping clients begin to find light at the end of the tunnel, and the best version of themselves.

Eloise is a therapist, a mother, and a stepmother.  She offers clients insight and understanding that can only be gained from real life experience.

She is also trained in EMDR (Eye Movement and Desensitization and Processing) and is a Certified Positive Discipline Parenting Educator.

Eloise has an MMSW from the University of Texas at Austin.  Her clinical experience has included work at Seton Shoal Creek, St. David's Pavilion, Cross Creek Hospital, and The Brook Hospital in Louisville, KY.


Evan M. Sadler, LMSW
Supervised by Tammy Clouston, LCSW
(737) 241-0226
Evan has worked for over 7 years with individuals with multiple mental health diagnosis, trauma, and poverty.  He has a strong background in coummunity mental health services.  He has been trained in EMDR (Eye Movement Desentization and Reprocessing), Motivational Interviewing, and Wellness Action and Recovery Planning.  Evan utilizes a relational, attachment based approach to hs with the intention of helping clients feel safe and seen within the therapeutic intervention.

We are very fortunate to share our counseling space with some extremely talented clinicians and professionals.  These individuals are independent practitioners.


Dr. Priscilla Sierk, D.O., P.A.
512.870.8180

3355 Bee Caves Road, Suite 507
www.drsierk.com

Dr. Sierk earned her medical degree from Western University of Health Sciences. She completed her psychiatric residency training at Austin State Hospital and Seton Shoal Creek Hospital, under the Austin Psychiatric Residency Program. She has privileges at Seton Shoal Creek Hospital and Austin Lakes Hospital. She is board certified by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology.

Dr. Sierk is a Clinical Assistant Professor for the Texas A&M Health Science Center College of Medicine in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Science. She is also the Medical Director of the Connections Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP), part of the Austin Counseling Connection.

She opened her private practice for adults in the summer of 2012, after eight years working in a hospital setting. She has a wide scope of practice, including women's issues, mood disorders, psychotic disorders, and anxiety. Her philosophy is to work closely with therapists and other physicians involved in her patient's care to provide the best possible outcome. 


Amy Goodwin, LPC-S
Psychotherapist
512-593-1028
amygoodwincounseling@gmail.com


Amy is a Licensed Professional Counselor and Board Approved Supervisor. She is also trained in EMDR (Eye Movement and Reprocessing.  She earned her bachelor’s and master’s degree from USC in Los Angeles in 1993. She earned her M.Ed. in Counseling and Guidance at Texas State University in 1995. Licensed since 2000, she has over 18 years experience working with adults, adolescents, children, couples, and families. She specializes in ADHD, depression, anxiety, trauma, PTSD and substance use issues. Her clinical experience includes work with St. David’s Pavilion, Travis County’s Parents In Recovery, and the Texas State Board of Pharmacy. She also worked eleven years in Eanes and AISD as a school counselor, so she understands the school system and how to negotiate the world of special education and 504.

Her school related services include: study skills and organizational skills, transition from middle school to high school to college, understanding 504 and your child’s needs at school, understanding Special Education and the referral process, and parent coachin

Amy’s approach to counseling is relational. She is client-centered and approaches each counseling relationship with empathy, unconditional positive regard, and understanding. She works collaboratively with clients to find solutions and focus on ways to help them optimize their skills and resources.


Lisa Leonard, LMFT, LPC
Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist
512.669.3800
lisa@lisaleonardtherapy.com

www.lisaleonardtherapy.com


Lisa Leonard is a Licensed Marraige and Family Therapist and Licensed Professional Counselor with over 25 years of experience.  Her specialties are marraige counseling, step family adjustment, parenting, depression, and divorce recovery.  Before starting her private practice she worked for several United Way Agencies.  She utilizes methods from Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy and The Gottman Method, and has attended advanced trainings in these modalities as well as others.  Her approach is results-oriented and direct.  She is a preferred provider for Beacon Behavioral Health and can assist with out-of-network reimbursement from other insurance carriers.  She offers a free 20 minute in person consultation to prospective clients.


Kat Elrod, MS LPC-S
Licensed Professional Counselor
Board Approved Supervisor
512.779.7101

Katelrod@gmail.com
www.katelrod.com

Kat Elrod is a Licensed Professional Counselor and Board Approved LPC Supervisor who started her private practice in 2010.   She is passionate about working with adults who struggle with  self-esteem, anxiety, depression, and relationships.  Kat is a trained EMDR clinican and uses EMDR to process past hurt, abuse and traumas that contribute to present day challenges.  She is genuine and compassionate, balancing professional feedback with a safe place to heal and grow.

 




Christie Applewhite, LCSW
P: 512.466.4333
F: 832.201.7796
christieharriss@yahoo.com
www.christieapplewhitelcsw.com


Derek Baca, LCSW
512-423-2892

Derek Baca is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker providing individual and group therapy to adults who believe they can benefit from counseling.  Derek received his undergraduate degree in Public Relations from the University of Texas at Austin and his graduate degree in Clinical Social Work from the University of Texas at Austin as well.  

Derek has worked at Austin Lakes Hospital, providing individual and group therapy to those who were struggling to manage their mental health.  He has also worked at a local community mental health clinic in Round Rock and provided inpatient services at Seton Shoal Creek Hospital.

Derek uses a variety of therapeutic techniques and tailors his style to the individual client's needs.  He has skills to work with a variety of different issues including, but not limited to, depression, anxiety, relationship issues, work stress, sexual orientation and general life changes.

Emily Bridge, LCSW
Psychotherapist

512-426-4275
 

Emily is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with experience in individual, couples, family, and group therapy. She has an MSSW from the University of Texas at Austin and has worked with children, adult, and geriatric clients. Emily has worked at Seton Shoal Creek Hospital and Austin Lakes Hospital with clients struggling with mental health, personality disorders, and substance abuse.  In addition, Emily has specialized training in grief and loss therapy, Motivational Interviewing, and domestic violence issues. She has led grief groups through My Healing Place and spearheaded public awareness projects related to domestic violence and sexual assault. Emily is also happy to work with LGBT clients.


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We currently offer sliding fees for counseling in accordance to household income 
 Please call and talk with a clinician today.
512.329.9455