Meet Tess
Hi, I’m Tess (she/her/hers). I’m a clinical mental health therapist in Austin, TX.
I grew up playing soccer and watching The Astros in Spring, TX. Over the years, I have gradually made my way away from the humidity to Austin where I spend the majority of my free time cooking or hiking with my pup, Sonny.
While I am referred to in the recovery world as a “normie”, I made the decision pretty early on to pursue my passion and work in the addiction and recovery field. I’m here as a result of many people I care about struggling with the disease of addiction.
My clinical experience began with an internship at a residential rehabilitation facility, along with time practicing at the University’s on-campus clinic. Since then I have run an adolescent and adult intensive outpatient program (IOP) for those struggling with substance abuse, and have practiced as a specialty therapist at a long-term rehab facility, serving clients with complex trauma.
I now work full-time as a private practice therapist due to the opportunity it provides to work with clients long-term. I’m not of the “quick fix” mentality, and am grateful for the freedom the private practice world provides us to work together as long as you may need.
I believe that our emotions are messages that are not to be ignored, and that vulnerability is a sign of strength.
I often work with individuals who utilize externals to numb their feelings, or people who may have been taught to ignore their own wants and needs in order to fulfill their role of taking care of others.
This disconnect from your emotional experience has the ability to isolate you from those around you, often leading to misunderstanding and conflict in relationships.
My goal is to help you gain insight into your own internal experience in order to better understand yourself, and to be better understood by those around you.
We’re in this together
As I’ve mentioned, I don’t adhere to the belief that I am the expert in the room. I’m not here to tell you what to do, but I will hold you accountable. You know yourself and your story best. My role is to use my own education, training, and experience to help you gain clarity and insight. And to maybe throw a few jokes in there to lighten the mood now and then.
Honesty is so necessary in this work, and therapy still exists in the space of a relationship which means it can get messy. We’re both human, and there will be times that we may not be on the same page - all I ask is that you tell me. Your feelings are valid, and your opinions are important. My goal is to create a space for us to face the tough shit together.