I am not accepting clients at this time.
Jessica Reynolds is a licensed EMDR-trained trauma therapist and the owner of The Purple Couch Counseling and Consulting. Jessica has been a social worker for eleven years and a therapist for the last six years. She earned a bachelor’s degree in Healthcare Administration from Metropolitan State University and then went on to receive her Masters’s degree in Social Work from the University of Denver. Throughout working in the field of social work and mental health, Jessica discovered that there is a barrier within communities of color; she later concluded that people want therapy from those with who they can identify.
The Purple Couch Counseling and Consulting was then launched in October of 2019.
Jessica chose the color because purple is the color of royalty. She wanted to use her platform as a woman of color and a mental health professional to help people discover the royalty within themselves so that they’re able to continue to grow instead of staying stuck.
Jessica works with many clients with different backgrounds, and her niche is to work with women who have been through domestic violence situations. Jessica loves showing up in the therapy space as her authentic self so that her clients feel comfortable enough to show up as their authentic selves.
One of my main goals though is normalizing healing of our inner being, and protecting our peace with healthy tools and boundaries. I’ve served as a psychotherapist and social worker across settings including school, medical, criminal justice, private practice and social services settings. I aim to provide education about the benefit of mental health services and create a safe, caring environment for all to benefit from treatment, all while dismantling the barriers and stigma of mental health.
Qualifications
- Years in Practice: 11 Years
- School: University of Denver
- Year Graduated: 2013
- License and State: 60552 Texas
jessica@purplecouchcounseling.org
ABOUT KIMBERLY NGUYỄN, LPC, ATR-BC, NCC
Kimberly Nguyen is a second-generation Vietnamese American artist and art therapist. She is passionate about empowering people through their therapy experiences. She is a Licensed Professional Counselor, Board-Certified Art Therapist, and Nationally Certified Counselor. She earned both of her Master’s degrees in Clinical Counseling and Art Therapy from Emporia State University.
Kimberly became a therapist because art continues to help her understand her cultural identities, as well as her, lived experience as a daughter of immigrants. Growing up in predominately White institutions, she owes most of her survival to art and her community. She believes that you don’t have to be an artist to experience the healing aspects of art. The art-making process can address our bodies’ responses in ways rational thinking and talk therapy cannot. In her therapy sessions, she often uses art and creativity as a means of collaboration and communication.
For the past 5 years, Kimberly has had the privilege of working with individuals with trauma-related issues including those who experience racial trauma, chronic homelessness, and incarceration. She specializes in working with bodies of culture, particularly AAPI bodies, in affirming their narrative, understanding their bodies, and practicing how to hold themselves in compassion and acceptance..
QUALIFICATIONS
- Years in Practice: 5 Years
- School: Emporia State University
- Year Graduated: 2019
- License and State: Licensed Professional Counselor #88844 (Texas)
Kimberly Nguyễn | Art Therapist
Kanika Roberts, LCSW
Kanika Roberts is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with over 9 years of extensive experience with children, adolescents, and adults in individual, group and family settings. She has supported those experiencing anxiety and stress during life transitions, helped to build coping skills for those handling complicated emotions, supported those recovering through trauma and depression, provided care for those managing mood disorders, and built support groups for those with many other life struggles.
Kanika’s deeply passionate about assisting communities where mental health services aren’t accessible… or are even frowned upon. Kanika maintains a safe, open environment for all to benefit from healing and for dismantling the barriers and stigmas around mental health and healing.
She earned both her Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology and her Master’s Degree in Social Work at California State University, San Bernardino. She is licensed in the states of California and Texas, and now works as a therapist and healer at Purple Couch Therapy.
Tania Flores
I’m a Spanish-fluent Mexican therapist who can hold warm, compassionate space for adults (18+) and elders. I support people to navigate stress, feel seen, heard, and understood. Most importantly though, I can help you face the unique challenges and pressures you may be facing at this time.
In the past, I’ve provided care for those struggling with grief, dementia/Alzheimer’s, life transitions, generational trauma, parentification, anxiety and work/school stress. At Purple Couch Therapy, I’m committed to providing inclusive care by supporting bodies of culture, Chicanx and Latinx 1st gen and 1.5 gen identities… if you know you know.
Seeking therapy involves strength and vulnerability. Together we can create a safe space to explore your experiences and move collaboratively towards your goals. As a therapist, I’m dedicated to your healing journey. You are important to me.
Outside of the therapy space, I enjoy exploring new cities whenever possible, and spending time with my family and friends. I currently live in Austin and find joy in cycling, pilates and nature. I work under the supervision of Jessica Reynolds, LCSW-S
Soy una terapeuta mexicana que habla español y puedo brindar un espacio cálido y compasivo para adultos (mayores de 18 años) y personas mayores. Apoyo a las personas a navegar el estrés, a sentirse vistas, escuchadas y comprendidas. Sin embargo, lo más importante es que puedo ayudarle a enfrentar los desafíos y presiones únicas que pueda estar pasando en este momento.
Mi experiencia ha sido con atención a quienes se enfrentan con el duelo, demencia/Alzheimer, las transiciones de vida, el trauma generacional, parentificación, ansiedad y el estrés laboral/escolar. En Purple Couch Therapy, estoy comprometida a brindar atención inclusiva apoyando a personas diversas e, identidades chicanx y latinx de 1.ª generación y 1.5 generación.
Buscar terapia requiere fortaleza y vulnerabilidad. Juntx podemos crear un espacio seguro para explorar tus experiencias y avanzar de manera colaborativa hacia tus metas. Como terapeuta, estoy dedicada a tu sanación. Tu eres importante para mi.
Fuera del espacio de terapia, disfruto explorar nuevas ciudades y pasar tiempo con mi familia y amigxs. Actualmente vivo en Austin y disfruto andar en bicicleta, pilates y la naturaleza. Trabajo bajo la supervisión de Jessica Reynolds, LCSW-S.
A’Myer Armstrong
Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW), Abolitionist, Anti-Racist Leader, Jovial
I’m here to support an even greater healing space at Purple Couch. I specialize in helping folx to navigate grief and loss, childhood trauma, post-incarceration stress, high-conflict relationships, parenting, infidelity, anxiety, depression, and race-related stress/anger. Together, we’ll practice being vulnerable, growing more resourceful, and becoming flexible with ourselves. Most importantly, I’m collaborative and empathetic, and always use a culturally-responsive, trauma-informed approach.
I want to help you find your truth. In the past, I’ve helped people rehabilitate in society after incarceration, worked with adults of all ages as a mental health therapist, and supported children, adolescents, and parents in the Child Welfare System. These experiences have shown me that beautiful things can come from painful beginnings. You are worthy of a beautiful life despite the societal, cultural, environmental, and generational barriers you’ve faced. And my overall goal is to focus on your unique needs.
Jaz Burgess, M.Ed, RYT200, LPC Intern
Jaz Burgess is a counselor-in-training with over a decade of experience working in higher education, spiritual support, and holding spaces for our people of color and culture.
Jaz integrates mindfulness, yoga, and therapeutic insights for healing self-exploration and emotional regulation. By creating safe spaces for holistic health, Jaz bridges the gap between mental health and yoga for people of color/culture through accessible mindful movement, relaxation practices, and embodiment.
Jaz has a passion for helping millennials create lives they don’t want to escape from. With experience in college transition, anxiety, and spiritual exploration, Jaz’s person-centered approach means she believes that the client is the author of their own life story. Jaz is currently under the supervision of Jessica Reynolds, LCSW.
Non-therapist
About Joelisse Galarza, LCSW
Director of Operations
Skills: Fluent in Spanish, Extensive knowledge of community resources, History of working with people and developing interventions, A commitment to helping others, providing cultural humility
Joelisse Galarza is a licensed master social worker (LMSW) in the process of earning her clinical license. She earned a master’s degree in Social Work from Columbia University in 2019. She has over four years of experience in the school setting, practicing social work with children, adolescents, and families in communities of color within San Antonio and New York City. Overall, her experience directly relates to youth and adolescents in helping them connect the pieces of their lives together throughout their growing years. While she love working with adolescents, she has developed a passion for assisting young adults and older adults to navigate their lives as well. Joelisse is skilled in crisis intervention, suicidal ideation and self-harm, depression, anxiety, grief, familial changes and struggles with academic success.
Social Work to Joelisse is not just a profession, it is a passion. Mental health for communities of color is not always equitable, she wants to bring awareness to our communities and allow them to access these resources in order to have an improved lifestyle. Her approach is to be trauma-sensitive, creating a safe space for healing as well as maintaining cultural humility. You are the expert of your life; and Joelisse is the assistant helping you navigate that journey. Joelisse’s role ultimately is to help you with recognizing signs and behaviors while learning how to develop appropriate coping skills in order to heal in positive ways that benefit you. Therapy is a journey; her first step is to ensure that we are the right fit in order to navigate your journey and find growth.
Joelisse’s overall expertise is centered in Cognitive Behavioral therapy, crisis intervention, solution-focused therapy, and mindfulness. YOU are the expert of your life, and Joelisse will always look towards ensuring you feel comfortable, safe, seen and heard.
Joelisse’s ultimate passion within her life is breaking down the stigma of mental health in communities of color, specifically youth, who often do not feel seen or heard within their lives. Currently, she also work in the school system in macro social work, building structures and systems so our youth have the mental health resources they need and deserve.
As someone who has overcome childhood trauma, we all need somebody to hear us, see us and who looks to understand us. Joelisse hope’s she can be that person for you in providing therapy that meet your mental health needs.
Qualifications
- Years in Practice: 5 Years
- School: Columbia University in New York
- Year Graduated: 2019
- License: Licensed Master Social Worker #68943
joelisse@purplecouchcounseling.org | 512-677-9578
Ms. Tammy Eubanks, Billing Specialist
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