Our Team

Founded in the spring of 2012, Therapy Austin is a counseling agency with many locations in central, north and south Austin, whose mission is to provide high-quality mental health services to adults and offer affordable fees and flexible after-work hours to ensure our community has broad access to counseling services. We accomplish this by engaging in a selective hiring process then investing heavily in the ongoing training and mentoring of our staff counselors. 

Managing Partners

Danielle Hayes Therapy Austin

Danielle Hayes, LCSW

(she/her/hers)

Managing Partner

Danielle Hayes brings a wealth of experience and training to her service at Therapy Austin. With a background in fundraising, nonprofit management and human resources, she guides our Operations with a wise and thorough approach. Danielle’s expertise in systems theories and her intuitive sense of patterns is leveraged in creating our programming, expanding our infrastructure, and projecting our growth. Her clinical work is client-centered and interactive, reflecting a unique blend of practical skill-building, insight, creativity, and compassion. Having grown up internationally, she is culturally fluid and welcomes people from all walks of life. In addition to managing Therapy Austin, she maintains a small private practice treating both individuals and couples and runs a weekly mixed-gender psychotherapy group. Danielle specializes in treating anxiety, childhood trauma and eating disorders. She is trained in Psychodynamic Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Modern Analysis and EMDR and is certified in Conflict Resolution.

Ellen Lindsey Therapy Austin

Ellen Lindsey, LCSW

Managing Partner

Ellen Lindsey has always had an entrepreneurial spirit and brings the lessons of past efforts to her work at Therapy Austin. She partners with the Director of Technology in a creative approach to developing data-driven applications for a person-centered agency. She utilizes her predilection for list-making and spreadsheets by heading up project management across the agency. Her love of writing often lands her tasks of content creation for our website, internal communications, and honing programs to be congruent with our mission and vision. Ellen’s interest in design keeps her engaged with Therapy Austin’s branding and digital presentation, as well as crafting our physical spaces. Since 2003, Ellen has run her own private practice serving adults who present with struggles in relationships, anxiety, grief, divorce and life transitions. She works with clients from a strengths-based perspective, building on qualities they have, instead of focusing on what is missing. Her training includes Psychodynamic Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Mindfulness, Focussing, EMDR, and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy.

Directors

From clinical oversight to staff development, technology to operations, our Directors work closely with their individual departments and the Managing Partners to carry out the mission of our agency and provide leadership for this large agency. 

Roxanne Watson Therapy Austin

Roxanne Watson, LPC

(she/her/hers)

Clinical Director

Roxanne joined Therapy Austin in 2014 as part of the counseling staff. She loved the agency so much that she agreed to join our Leadership Team and stay on full-time, both as counselor and administrator. As a Coordinator, her commitment, dedication, and leadership strength shined through, making her the ideal choice for Assistant Director, a new position created in 2018. By 2019, her responsibilities had grown so much that she was promoted to Director of Operations. In 2022, Roxy grew into the new title of Director of Human Resources and in 2023 she became a Clinical Director. Roxy oversees Mentors, Staff, and Senior Counselors. As a manager, she provides individual support and can answer any clinical, professional development, basic employment, and most agency-related questions. 

Favorite Quote: May you be happy, may you be strong, may you feel like you belong.

I feel happiest when… I take my first sip of coffee in the morning

Something you want us to know about you: I'm always reading at least two books and sometimes three at a time!

Favorite part about working at Therapy Austin: My creative, earnest, and conscientious colleagues.

View Roxanne Watson's Profile
Gina Rodriguez Therapy Austin

Gina Rodriguez, LPC, LMFT

Clinical Director

Gina has been with Therapy Austin since the end of 2015 and has been instrumental in the development and growth of this agency. She joined the Coordinator Team in 2017, then took on implementing our CEU-level Training Program in 2018. And, in 2019, she was promoted again to Training Manager. Since then, she stepped into the role of Director of Staff Development and in 2023 became a Clinical Director. Gina oversees our Clinical Education Team including CEU trainings, Consultation Groups, Senior Interest Groups, our Mentor Program, and Internship Program. Gina also oversees Mentors, Staff, and Senior Counselors. As a manager, she provides individual support and can answer any clinical, professional development, basic employment, and most agency-related questions. 

Favorite Ice Cream: Flavor: Strawberry, Current Favorite Pint: Jeni's Brambleberry Crisp

Favorite Movie: It's hard to pick a single favorite for this, so a 3-way tie will have to do: Goodfellas, The Godfather, When Harry Met Sally

I feel happiest when… I'm well-rested, and cats, music, art, and/or relaxing with loved ones are in the mix. 

Favorite part about working at Therapy Austin: TA's steadfast commitment to its dual mission of providing clients with high-quality services and teaching our staff valuable skills that promote professional development and thriving practices. Working for such a values-driven agency is essential to me and why I'm still here!  Oh, and we have a lot of hilarious people that work here, so I love that I get to laugh often with colleagues.

View Gina Rodriguez's Profile
Elena Stransky Therapy Austin

Elena Stransky

Director of Technology

Elena came to us with a degree in Computer Science and experience creating apps for other local businesses, including Whole Foods, Favor, and Four & Five Design. She started working with Therapy Austin in 2014, providing development services for our brainchild, TAWorks, an internal web-based application that houses our counselor-client matching algorithm. TAWorks provides a platform to track requests for service, performance, payroll, and caseload management. In 2020, Elena joined Therapy Austin full-time as our Technology Manager, and in 2021, she became our Director of Technology. Elena provides data sets, analysis, and marketing efforts to ensure growth and progress at the agency.

Favorite Movie: What About Bob?

I feel happiest when… I am enjoying a good meal with the people I love.

Something you want us to know about you: I prefer salty over sweet. I would pick french fries over ice cream every time. 

Favorite part about working at Therapy Austin: The wonderful people!

Allyssa Morales Therapy Austin

Allyssa Morales

Practice Director

Allyssa transitioned from Austin DBT Associates’ Practice Manager to Therapy Austin’s Practice Director in 2023. She professes a love for leading people, structure and organization and has helped many different types of practices establish systems and procedures that contributed to their overall success. Allyssa oversees all of our daily operations, which includes facilities, policy & procedure, recruiting, scheduling, communications, and request administration. She serves on our executive team and leads our brand new operations team.

Favorite Movie: Movies that capture the soul experience: As It Is In Heaven (Swedish), Rust and Bone (French), Spirited Away (Japanese), Contact (American) 

Favorite Quote: Think higher, feel deeper. -Elie Wiesel

I feel happiest when… I'm connecting via music, the elements (water + sun), or good food + wine

Favorite part about working at Therapy Austin: The convergence of minds and tools that foster creative expansion, support, and healing. 

DeLinda Spain Therapy Austin

DeLinda Spain, LCSW, CGP, CEDS

Clinical Director

DeLinda is an expert clinician and an enthusiastic educator. A graduate of the University of Texas School of Social Work, she has been honing her clinical skills in Austin for more than 20 years. In 2018, she accepted the position of Clinical Director at Therapy Austin and in 2023, DeLinda became our Senior Clinical Director. A really important part of DeLinda’s work is developing each counselor's individual styles and techniques through case consultation and training. She is responsible for establishing, fostering, and maintaining the therapeutic frame throughout our agency. DeLinda works closely with the Clinical Management Team and Clinical Education Team. She is responsible for establishing, fostering, and maintaining the therapeutic frame throughout our agency. DeLinda is also the leader of group consultations. 

Favorite Quote: There's an absolutely right way to do something, an absolutely wrong way and a million variations in between. If you are doing something and it's not working, stop doing that and do something else. R. Lee Spain

#1 thing on your bucket list: Build a lavender farm

Favorite place in Austin: Any place that sells tacos

Favorite part about working at Therapy Austin: The people, of course

Managers

Therapy Austin’s Managers report to the Directors and oversee all the critical programs that comprise the heart and soul of Therapy Austin, including policy, training, recruitment, and client services.

Jill Hokanson Therapy Austin

Jill Hokanson, LCSW-S

(she/her/hers)

Clinical Manager

Jill joined Therapy Austin as a Staff Counselor in 2016 and was promoted to Leadership when it expanded in 2018. She began as Staff Writer, moved up to Communications Associate in 2019, transitioned to Policy and Procedure Coordinator, and now is our Clinical Manager as of 2022. Jill oversees our Internship program and Senior Counselors. As a manager, she provides individual support and can answer any clinical, professional development, basic employment, and most agency-related questions.

#1 thing on your bucket list: Write a mystery novel

Favorite place in Austin: Lookout Point in the Zilker Nature Preserve, where I got married!

Something you want us to know about you: I’m left-handed. Lefties unite!

Favorite part about working at Therapy Austin: Connecting to my wonderful colleagues and being a support person in helping colleagues reach their goals.

View Jill Hokanson's Profile
Catherine Dilger Therapy Austin

Catherine Dilger, LPC

Training & Policy Manager

Catherine joined our team as a Staff Counselor in 2019. She soon began leading our detailed training program that all new hires go through before they begin seeing clients. She has since passed it onto our Staff Coordinator. Catherine leads monthly Cohort trainings and serves as our Privacy Officer, ensuring that everyone stays HIPAA-compliant.

#1 thing on your bucket list: Travel the world! I want to see and experience it all. 

I feel happiest when… I'm hanging out with people I love and I’m in water. I love going to swim or just float around in the river or lake, and I love to boogie board in the waves at the beach. 

Favorite Movie: Pride and Prejudice, the one with Kiera Knightly. 

Favorite part about working at Therapy Austin: The warm, authentic, supportive community. People truly care about each other here, and that's something special. I also really enjoy that my role here includes supporting my colleagues as well as working with clients. (My strengths do not include the ability to pick just one favorite when asked to pick a favorite.)  

View Catherine Dilger's Profile
Melanie Dyer Therapy Austin

Melanie Dyer, LPC

(she/her/hers)

Client Care Manager

Melanie joined our agency in 2018 as a Staff Counselor and was quickly promoted to Leadership in 2019. In 2022, she transitioned from being our Request & Recruitment Manager to our Client Care Manager. As our Client Care Manager, Melanie oversees client services through request administration and counselor changes. She is at the forefront of ensuring requests are taken care of thoughtfully and quickly and that counselors feel well supported during transitions.

Favorite Quote: "I choose violence." -Cersei Lannister

Favorite place in Austin: The Little Darlin'

Something you want us to know about you: I speak Spanish! Not as fluently as I used to, but I learned how to speak it when I lived in Chile for a year and a half in my 20s.

Favorite part about working at Therapy Austin: Always feeling supported and encouraged in my ambitions.

View Melanie Dyer's Profile
Alethea Johnson Therapy Austin

Alethea Johnson

Facilities Manager

Alethea joined Therapy Austin in 2020 as our first ever Office Manager, having spent many years assisting other practitioners with running their businesses. She oversees all physical locations and office operations and procedures. Alethea controls correspondence, designs our filing systems, reviews and approves supply requisitions, and assigns and monitors clerical functions. She also supports our Recruitment and Training Teams. In 2023, her title transitioned to Facilities Manager to better represent all that she oversees and does for Therapy Austin.

Favorite Quote: “Be kinder than necessary because everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle.” - J. M. Barry

Dream Vacation: Beautiful nature, good food, good company and experiencing a new place.

Favorite place in Austin: Anywhere with a friend, talking and laughing.

Favorite part about working at Therapy Austin: Such a positive and supportive work environment!

Maggie Behle Therapy Austin

Maggie Behle, LCSW

(she/her/hers)

Clinical Manager

After a decade of teaching, Maggie joined Therapy Austin as a Staff Counselor in August of 2018 and rose as one of our inaugural Mentors in October of 2019, then Staff Coordinator in June 2021, Mentor Manager in March 2022, and now Clinical Manger as of Spring 2023. Gifted in both writing and instruction, Maggie uses her resourceful and strategic talents to improve our Mentor program and shape the evolving curriculum. Maggie also oversees Mentors, Staff, and Senior Counselors. As a manager, she provides individual support and can answer any clinical, professional development, basic employment, and most agency-related questions. 

Favorite Movie: V for Vendetta and sometimes Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga

#1 thing on your bucket list: Visiting all the National Parks 

I feel happiest when… I’m swimming with my kids or playing with my dogs

Favorite part about working at Therapy Austin: Helping clinicians become the therapist they want to be 

View Maggie Behle's Profile

Coordinators & Liaisons

Our Coordinators support the Managers and Directors across all departments at our agency. They are frontline resources to all of our Staff Counselors.

Ashlyn Simmons Therapy Austin

Ashlyn Simmons, LCSW

(she/her/hers)

Staff Coordinator: New Hire Training

Our New Hire Trainer has a great appreciation for all things Therapy Austin and a love of training! Ashlyn began at Therapy Austin as a Staff Counselor in August of 2019 and then took on the role of Staff Development Counselor in October of 2020 and Staff Coordinator in June 2021. She brings a lot of creative ideas and enthusiasm to this role. Ashlyn also assists with requests for service, taking great care to match clients with counselors who can best meet their needs.

Favorite Quote: “Great people do things before they're ready. They do things before they know they can do it. Doing what you're afraid of, getting out of your comfort zone, taking risks like that- that's what life is. You might be really good. You might find out something about yourself that's really special and if you're not good, who cares? You tried something. Now you know something about yourself” - Amy Poehler

#1 thing on your bucket list: See every National Park

Dream Vacation: Spending an extended time exploring France (Paris, Normandy, Nice, Marseilles, and going back to Besçanson where I used to live)

Favorite part about working at Therapy Austin: The consultation groups, diversity of counselors and clients, and the support offered at every stage of employment

View Ashlyn Simmons's Profile
Anne Johnson Therapy Austin

Anne Johnson, LPC

Staff Coordinator: Clinical Training

Therapy Austin is invested and dedicated to ongoing clinical training for our entire staff. Anne, who joined our team early in 2020 and quickly demonstrated her clinical skill and potential, oversees the administration of our Clinical Training Program. With this promotion to Staff Coordinator in June, 2021, she also took on the additional role of Mentor, lending her clarity and strengths to counselors who are not as far along in their professional journey. Additionally, she assists with requests for service, thoughtfully assigning clients to our stellar counselors.

Favorite Ice Cream: Ice cream is my favorite food in existence. Too many to choose but must contain at least a bit of chocolate.

Favorite Quote: Dear Me, 

If, in future years, anyone asks you to give advice to your sixteen year old self...don't. Make your own unique messes, and then work your way out of them. 

See you, 

Alan Rickman (this is from a class assignment when he was 16)

Favorite place in Austin: My bed

Favorite part about working at Therapy Austin: All the amazingly wise, funny, fun, and kind colleagues. Who often surprise me with past endeavors, hidden talents, etc.

View Anne Johnson's Profile
Ashley Symons Therapy Austin

Ashley Symons

Content Coordinator

Ashley comes to Therapy Austin with a Bachelor's in Sociology and Communications and has experience working on a wide range of projects for numerous non-profits. As the Content Coordinator at Therapy Austin, Ashley manages our website, oversees our social media efforts, and supports many of our technical needs.

Favorite Movie: Christmas Vacation

#1 thing on your bucket list: See Hamilton with the original cast. Not sure that will ever happen again, but it would be a dream! 

I feel happiest when… I’m with my pugs. I have so much cuteness aggression towards them. The second they do something cute, it’s like an instant hit of dopamine.

Favorite part about working at Therapy Austin: The support I get and getting to support people doing such important work

Courtney Zai Therapy Austin

Courtney Zai

Practice Coordinator

Courtney joined Therapy Austin in 2021. She joined us with a Bachelor’s in Communication Studies and HR experience in higher education. Courtney transitioned from HR Coordinator to Practice Coordinator in the spring of 2023. She handles Scheduling, newsletter publication, and documentation and finance check. She also supports Facilities.

Favorite Quote: "I'm not superstitious. But I am a little stitious." -Michael Scott

#1 thing on your bucket list: Traveling with my daughter. I can't wait until she's old enough to experience and soak in all this world has to offer! 

Dream Vacation: I went to Santorini and it truly felt like a dream. I would love to explore more of Greece!

Favorite thing about Therapy Austin: I love how supportive TA is of each person on our team. TA is wonderful at recognizing the strength of a person and helping them build on that to reach their personal goals. 

Jeanelle Turner Therapy Austin

Jeanelle Turner

People & Culture Liaison

Jeanelle joined Therapy Austin as a Staff Counselor in August 2021 and in Spring 2023, Jeanelle became our People & Culture Liasion. She works closely with our People & Culture Lead providing administrative support, hosting recruiting events, and publishing our Career Talk newsletter. Jeanelle also serves as a Senior Counselor.

Favorite Quote: Promise me you'll always remember: You're braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think---A.A. Milne (Winnie the Pooh)

#1 thing on your bucket list: Swimming with dolphins

Something you want us to know about you: The best way to get to know me is telling me your favorite TV show, I probably know way too much about it even if I never watched it. I love TV trivia. 

Favorite part about working at Therapy Austin: My favorite part about working at TA is the growth and development. I enjoy TA being a place that incorporates many talents and attributes of their staff. You can develop your skills as a therapist, while looking at other career opportunities at TA to develop skills in recruiting, mentorship, etc. I enjoy the flexibility and growth TA affords new clinicians. 

View Jeanelle Turner's Profile
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