LPC-A

Licensed Professional Counselor-Associate

I help adults & teens live fuller, more authentic lives. The complexities of life can weigh on us, affecting our energy & perspectives. Maybe you have gone through some painful or challenging experiences. A part of you is calling for something different & that brought you here now. Many issues come from low self-worth, or from losing trust in our inner voice after painful experiences. However, this wisdom is always inside us & will continue to create “symptoms” & “problems” in our life in an attempt to get our attention. Trust that feeling the desire to change a pattern is a sign you’re ready for the challenge required.

With self-compassion, we see that we did the best we could at the time. With resilience, we move out of stagnation & turn our experiences into growing opportunities. This is how we transform our pain into wisdom & strength.

Some areas of focus:

• self-worth, depression,
• reconnecting to your intuition,
• spiritual journeys,
• family of origin, identity,
• life transitions,
• empaths/intuitives/highly sensitive people,
• grief, over-thinkers who need help feeling, trauma,
• integrating psychedelics or other transformative experiences,
• “canaries in the coal mine,”
• those who feel misunderstood,
• disruptors to the status quo… & more.

My approach is heart-centered, relational & trauma-informed. I meet you where you are by combining various approaches. I primarily use Psychodynamic theory, Mindfulness, IFS/Parts work, & Attachment theory.

Most importantly, I focus on authentically connecting with you.

I’m down to earth, patient & willing to challenge you as well.

Professional Cuddler & Theraprenuer

Kristi is a former licensed massage therapist for 15+ years and the first LMT that also offers cuddling services in Austin. She is deeply honored to serve her clients whether they are grieving, stressed, lonely, empty & exhausted, or simply seeking relaxation.

She loves doing this wonderfully positive & life-affirming work. Her passion for professional cuddling is matched only by her love of creating art, specifically oil painting and stone sculpting.  She has been painting all her life and has sold several pieces.

She is a believer that lasting change occurs over time with trust and that establishing long-term relationships is the most effective way for her to assist her clients in achieving lasting physical, mental & emotional health and happiness.

Website: austincuddlecommune.com

Licensed Clinical Social Worker & Therapist

Marissa Friedman Gilbert is a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW) and therapist based in Austin, TX, specializing in compassionate, client-centered therapy. She supports individuals navigating life transitions, anxiety, depression, trauma, and relationship challenges with empathy and evidence-based approaches.

About Marissa

Marissa is passionate about helping clients cultivate meaningful change and healing by fostering a warm, nonjudgmental, and inclusive therapeutic environment. Marissa’s approach integrates mindfulness, cognitive-behavioral techniques, and trauma-informed care to support resilience and personal growth.

Her journey into therapy was inspired by a deep desire to help others navigate life’s challenges with greater ease and self-compassion. She values collaboration and tailors therapy to each client’s unique story, strengths, and goals.

Hello everyone, my name is Nicole Williams and I am so excited to be part of the Austin Wellness Collaborative! I am a Licensed Professional Counselor with over 8 years’ experience in counseling and over 20 years’ experience in working with children, teens and families as an educator, school counselor, Social Emotional Learning teacher, trainer and consultant.

In my practice I specialize in supporting individuals (children, teens, adults) and families with anxiety, trauma, grief and loss, and chronic illness. Being a chronic illness warrior myself, I understand the many different challenges that one faces with a chronic condition or diagnosis. I am passionate about helping others integrate a life of joy and connection while managing an illness., with care, wisdom, humor, and just a little bit of rebellion. There is so much power in being heard, seen, understood and believed, for both the individual and their loved ones who are also impacted.

When working with clients I believe in a whole-body approach, meaning looking at how to help them understand their nervous system, and practicing tools such as TF-CBT, Guided Imagery, Meditation, Trauma-Informed Yoga, and EFT (Tapping) to help regulate their system. I also use traditional talk therapy along with Psychodrama, and CBT relational care to help support healing and change.

When I am not at my practice I love to be out in nature; hiking, camping, paddle boarding, you name it, if it is outside, then I am there! I am also a foster fur mommy to rescue pit bulls (pibbles as we call them if they are puppies). If I had a bigger house, I would fail at fostering more often than finding a home for them, I can be a complete pushover with sad puppy eyes!

When my house is empty of furry fosters I love to travel, especially volunteer travel. My favorite volunteer trip was to Borneo where I worked with an orangutan rehabilitation and release center by day and taught the children in the village at night.

While I know the challenges of living with a life altering illness, I also know the profound joy of integrating things that you love in new ways to a life after the diagnosis. I would love to help others who are facing this same challenge. For more information on my practice or to learn of any upcoming workshops and presentations on the link between Trauma, and Chronic Health Conditions, please visit my website (link below).