Education & Training

I love it that you’re interested in learning more about my education and training. In case you’re not aware, becoming a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in Texas requires:

  • earning a Master’s degree in Social Work

  • passing a board exam for a provisional license (LMSW)

  • completing at least 3,000 hours of supervised practice

  • passing a clinical board exam for a full license (LCSW)

When you work with an LCSW, whether it’s me or someone else, the above is the baseline of education and experience we will have in Texas (other states may have different requirements). Additionally, we’re required to complete at least 30 hours of training every two years to renew our licenses.

Because humans are so complex, it’s important to me to engage in continuous learning beyond what’s required by my license to always expand my knowledge and skillset to better serve my clients. In addition to regular training, I belong to multiple consultation groups, work with a private EMDR consultant and attend book study groups. You can find more details about my education and training below.

[A note about EMDR: If you have a complex trauma history, and you are interested in EMDR treatment, I encourage you to look for an EMDR practitioner with training that specifically addresses ways to modify EMDR treatment for complex trauma. I have this training, and I want you to have the best experience possible with your treatment, even if we don’t get to work together.]

Education

Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, University of Texas at Austin

Master of Science in Social Work, Columbia University in the City of New York

Training

List of Trainings by Topic

Scroll down for a chronological list of trainings.

  • “EMDR Toolbox: Theory and Treatment of Complex PTSD and Dissociation” book study group with Christine Molina, LCSW, EMDRIA Certified Consultant, October 2024 - present

    “Introduction to Dissociation and the MID” with D. Michael Coy, MA, EMDRIA AC/AT and Jennifer Madere, MA, EMDRIA AC/AT, February 14, 2025 (3 hours)

    “Ego-State Theory Foundations Course I” with Wendy Lemke, January 8 - February 12, 2025 (20 hours)

    “Accessing Witnessing Mind” with Juliane Taylor Shore, LMFT, LPC, SEP, August 16, 2024 (6 hours)

    “EMDR Consultation Group” with Christine Molina, LCSW, EMDRIA Certified Consultant, February 2024 - January 2025

    “Destigmatizing and Demystifying Dissociation” with Katie Barksdale, LPC, September 13, 2024 (2 hours)

    “An Introduction to the Integration of Ego State Therapy, Structural Dissociation, and EMDR Therapy” with Farnsworth Lobenstine, LICSW, May 31 - June 2, 2024 (16 hours)

    “Journey into IFS (Internal Family Systems) - A Deeper Dive” with Jen Braafladt, LPC, May 10, 2024 (6 hours)

    “An Introduction to NARM: The NeuroAffective Relational Model for Transforming Complex Trauma” with Brad Kammer, LMFT, LPCC, SEP, January 19, 2024, (3 hours)

    “Interpersonal Neurobiology Special Interest Group” with Kim Schaefer, LPC, SEP, September 8 - November 17, 2023 (12 hours)

    “EMDR Basic Training” with Dr. Christie Sprowls, Psy.D in Austin, Texas, July - September 2023 (40 hours)

    “A School of Unlearning: A Therapist’s Guide to Memory Reconsolidation, Grief, and Healing” with Juliane Taylor Shore, LPC-S, LMFT-S, May 12, 2023 (6 hours)

    “Introduction to the NeuroAffective Relational Model (NARM)” with Lindsey Lucius, LCSW-S, June 17, 2022 (2 hours)

    “A School of Unlearning: A Therapist's Guide to Trauma Recovery, Grief and Healing” with Juliane Taylor-Shore, LPC-S, LMFT-S, June 3, 2022  

    “Introduction to Internal Family Systems” with Lindsey Lucius, LCSW-S, April 8, 2022 (2 hours)

    “Memory Reconsolidation” with Juliane Taylor-Shore, LPC-S, LMFT-S, October 15, 2021 (2 hours)

    “Internal Family Systems 101” with Michelle Hawn, LPC-S, September 10, 2021 (2 hours)

    “Interpersonal Neurobiology” with Juliane Taylor-Shore, LPC-S, LMFT-S, June 18, 2021 (2 hours)

    “Flashbacks and the 3 Ds (Dissociation, Depersonalization, Derealization) in Session” with Jill Hokanson, LCSW-S, June 4, 2021 (2 hours)

    “Using Attachment Theory and Interpersonal Neurobiology to Humanize Our Response to Grief” with Candyce Ossefort-Russell, LPC-S, October 2, 2020 (3 hours)

    “Neuroception and Safety in Couples Therapy” with Juliane Taylor-Shore, LPC-S, LMFT-S, September 18, 2020 (3 hours)

    “Trauma Work Essentials” with Juliane Taylor-Shore, LPC-S, LMFT-S, August 14, 2020 (3 hours)

  • “More-Than-Monogamy: An exploration of polysexual and polyamorous relationship structures and how to navigate them” with Dr. Ty David Lerman, Ph.D., LPC-S, CST, QTAP, CHT, October 11, 2024 (2 hours)

    “Plot Twist: Working with Stories on the Margin” with Akilah Riley-Richardson, MSW, CCTP, July 12, 2024 (3 hours)

    “Counseling Gender Diverse Clients” with Dr. April Owen PsyD in Austin, Texas, January 12, 2024 (2 hours)

    “Counseling Asexual Clients” with Kara Nassour, LPC, NCC, November 10, 2023 (2 hours)  

    “Is This ADHD or Autism or Both? - Decoding the Overlap and Differences” with Christine Molina, LCSW, June 16, 2023 (3 hours) 

    “The Changing Tides of Autism” with M. Scott Allen, PsyD, November 11, 2022 (2 hours)

    “Gender and Sexuality: A Review and Putting it into Practice” with JP Cardenas, LPC-Associate, June 10, 2022 (2 hours)

    ”Understanding Non-Monogamy and BDSM” with Adam MacDonald, LCSW, May 13, 2022 (3 hours)

    “Subtle Acts of Exclusion” with Briona Jenkins, January 21, 2022 (2 hours)

    “Engage: Strategies to Engage Culture and Identity in the Clinical Setting” with Marlon Johnson, Ph.D., LPC-MHSP, NCC, November 5, 2021 (2 hours)

    “Preparing the Conversation: Identifying Biases and Practicing Cultural Humility” with Marlon Johnson, Ph.D., LPC-MHSP, NCC, October 1, 2021 (2 hours)

    “Kink, BDSM, and Poly/Open Relationships” with Adam MacDonald, LCSW, August 13, 2021 (2 hours)

    “Addressing Culture, Identity, and Incongruence Within the Therapeutic Relationship” with Marlon Johnson, Ph.D., LPC-MHSP, NCC, November 6, 2020 (2 hours)

    “Psychotherapy Ethics of Exploring Sex and Gender Identity” with Adam MacDonald, LCSW, October 9, 2020 (2 hours)

  • Note: I am EMDR-trained and currently working toward EMDR certification with the EMDR International Association (EMDRIA)

    Private EMDR Consultation with Christine Molina, LCSW, EMDRIA Certified Consultant, ongoing, May 2024 - present

    “EMDR Toolbox: Theory and Treatment of Complex PTSD and Dissociation” book study group with Christine Molina, LCSW, EMDRIA Certified Consultant, October 2024 - present

    “An Introduction to the Integration of Ego State Therapy, Structural Dissociation, and EMDR Therapy” with Farnsworth Lobenstine, LICSW, May 31 - June 2, 2024 (16 hours)

    “EMDR Consultation Group” with Christine Molina, LCSW, EMDRIA Certified Consultant, February 2024 - January 2025

    “EMDR Basic Training” with Dr. Christie Sprowls, Psy.D, July - September 2023 (40 hours)

  • Note: I am currently working toward certification in ego-state therapy with Ego-State Therapy North America (ESTNA)

    “Ego State Impulse: Managing Shame with Ego State Therapy” with ESTI and Dr Silvia Zanotta, April 6, 2025 (1 hour)

    “Ego-State Theory Foundations Course I” with Wendy Lemke, January 8 - February 12, 2025 (20 hours)

    “An Introduction to the Integration of Ego State Therapy, Structural Dissociation, and EMDR Therapy” with Farnsworth Lobenstine, LICSW, May 31 - June 2, 2024 (16 hours)

    “Journey into IFS (Internal Family Systems) - A Deeper Dive” with Jen Braafladt, LPC, May 10, 2024 (6 hours)

    “Introduction to Internal Family Systems” with Lindsey Lucius, LCSW-S, April 8, 2022 (2 hours)

    “Internal Family Systems 101” with Michelle Hawn, LPC-S, September 10, 2021 (2 hours)

List of Trainings Chronologically

“Ego State Impulse: Managing Shame with Ego State Therapy” with ESTI and Dr Silvia Zanotta, April 6, 2025 (1 hour)

“Introduction to Dissociation and the MID” with D. Michael Coy, MA, EMDRIA AC/AT and Jennifer Madere, MA, EMDRIA AC/AT, February 14, 2025 (3 hours)

“Ego-State Theory Foundations Course I” with Wendy Lemke, January 8 - February 12, 2025 (20 hours)

“EMDR Consultation Group” with Christine Molina, LCSW, EMDRIA Certified Consultant, February 2024 - present

“EMDR Toolbox: Theory and Treatment of Complex PTSD and Dissociation” book study group with Christine Molina, LCSW, EMDRIA Certified Consultant, October 2024 - present

“More-Than-Monogamy: An exploration of polysexual and polyamorous relationship structures and how to navigate them” with Dr. Ty David Lerman, Ph.D., LPC-S, CST, QTAP, CHT, October 11, 2024 (2 hours)

“Destigmatizing and Demystifying Dissociation” with Katie Barksdale, LPC, September 13, 2024 (2 hours)

“Accessing Witnessing Mind” with Juliane Taylor Shore, LMFT, LPC, SEP, August 16, 2024 (6 hours)

“Plot Twist: Working with Stories on the Margin” with Akilah Riley-Richardson, MSW, CCTP, July 12, 2024 (3 hours)

“Psychodynamic Theories” with DeLinda Spain, LCSW, CGP, CEDS*, June 14, 2024 (3 hours)

“An Introduction to the Integration of Ego State Therapy, Structural Dissociation, and EMDR Therapy” with Farnsworth Lobenstine, LICSW, May 31 - June 2, 2024 (16 hours)

“Risk Management with Clients” with Molly Mayberry, LCSW, May 17, 2024 (2 hours)

“Journey into IFS (Internal Family Systems) - A Deeper Dive” with Jen Braafladt, LPC, May 10, 2024 (6 hours)

“An Introduction to NARM: The NeuroAffective Relational Model for Transforming Complex Trauma” with Brad Kammer, LMFT, LPCC, SEP, January 19, 2024, (3 hours)

“Weight Loss Injectible Webinar” with Center for Body Trust, January 12, 2024 (2 hours)

“Counseling Gender Diverse Clients” with Dr. April Owen PsyD, January 12, 2024 (2 hours)

“Counseling Asexual Clients” with Kara Nassour, LPC, NCC, November 10, 2023 (2 hours)  

“Interpersonal Neurobiology Special Interest Group” with Kim Schaefer, LPC, SEP, September 8 - November 17, 2023 (12 hours)

“EFT and Attachment Frame in Couples Therapy” with Angela Jensen-Ramirez, LCSW-S, CST, August 18, 2023, (2 hours)

“EMDR Basic Training” with Dr. Christie Sprowls, Psy.D, July - September 2023 (40 hours)

“Reviving Sex after an Affair” with Vagdevi Meunier, PsyD, July 21, 2023 (2 hours)

”Is This ADHD or Autism or Both? - Decoding the Overlap and Differences” with Christine Molina, LCSW, June 16, 2023 (3 hours) 

“A School of Unlearning: A Therapist’s Guide to Memory Reconsolidation, Grief, and Healing” with Juliane Taylor Shore, LPC-S, LMFT-S, May 12, 2023 (6 hours)

“Facing the Fault Lines: A Practical Approach to Relational Rupture and Repair” with Marlon Johnson, Ph.D., LPC-MHSP, NCC, February 10, 2023 (2 hours)

“Countertransference” with DeLinda Spain, LCSW, CGP, CEDS, January 13, 2023 (2 hours) 

“The Changing Tides of Autism” with M.Scott Allen, PsyD, November 11, 2022 (2 hours)

“Couples Panel” with Amelia Canally, LCSW, CGP; Toya Foster, LPC; Sara Miller, LPC; Maria Spada, LPC and moderated by DeLinda Spain, LCSW, CGP, CEDS, September 9, 2022

“Introduction to the NeuroAffective Relational Model (NARM)” with Lindsey Lucius, LCSW-S, June 17, 2022 (2 hours)

“Gender and Sexuality: A Review and Putting it into Practice” with JP Cardenas, LPC-Associate, June 10, 2022 (2 hours)

“A School of Unlearning: A Therapist's Guide to Trauma Recovery, Grief and Healing” with Juliane Taylor-Shore, LPC-S, LMFT-S, June 3, 2022  

​”Understanding Non-Monogamy and BDSM” with Adam MacDonald, LCSW, May 13, 2022 (3 hours)

“The Gottman Approach to Relational Trust Recovery” with Vagdevi Meunier, PsyD, April 15, 2022 (2 hours)

“Introduction to Internal Family Systems” with Lindsey Lucius, LCSW-S, April 8, 2022 (2 hours)

“Inclusive Disordered Eating Treatment” with Neathery Falchuk, LCSW-S, CGP, February 4, 2022 (3 hours)

“Subtle Acts of Exclusion” with Briona Jenkins, January 21, 2022 (2 hours)

“An Updated Model to Understand and Treat Addiction” with Daniel Hochman, MD, January 14, 2022 (2 hours)

“Eating Disorders 101” with DeLinda Spain, LCSW, CGP, CEDS, December 10, 2021 (2 hours)

“Suicidality and Self Harm” with DeLinda Spain, LCSW, CGO, CEDS, November 29, 2021 (2 hours)

“Engage: Strategies to Engage Culture and Identity in the Clinical Setting” with Marlon Johnson, Ph.D., LPC-MHSP, NCC, November 5, 2021 (2 hours)

“Memory Reconsolidation” with Juliane Taylor-Shore, LPC-S, LMFT-S, October 15, 2021 (2 hours)

“Modern Attachment Theory in Clinical Practice” with Christine Winston,  LCSW-S, October 8, 2021 (2 hours)

“Preparing the Conversation: Identifying Biases and Practicing Cultural Humility” with Marlon Johnson, Ph.D., LPC-MHSP, NCC, October 1, 2021 (2 hours)

“Internal Family Systems 101” with Michelle Hawn, LPC-S, September 10, 2021 (2 hours)

“Mindful Yoga” with Cartelia Kennedy, LPC, September 3, 2021 (1.5 hours)

“Kink, BDSM, and Poly/Open Relationships” with Adam MacDonald, LCSW, August 13, 2021 (2 hours)

“Interpersonal Neurobiology” with Juliane Taylor-Shore, LPC-S, LMFT-S, June 18, 2021 (2 hours)

“Flashbacks and the 3 Ds (Dissociation, Depersonalization, Derealization) in Session” with Jill Hokanson, LCSW-S, June 4, 2021 (2 hours)

“Career Counseling: Crush No Dreams” with Winter Green, LPC Associate, NCC, April 16, 2021 (1.5 hours)

“Getting Started with Couples” with Amelia Canally, LCSW, CGP, April 9, 2021 (2 hours)

“Best Practices in Clinical Documentation” with Gena Minnix, Ph.D., LPC-S, LMFT-S, April 2, 2021 (3 hours)

“The Magic of Emotion Chain Analysis” with Christine Molina, LCSW, February 12, 2021 (2 hours)

“A Brief Introduction to Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)” with Jonathan McNutt, LPC, January 22, 2021 

“Defenses and Resistance in Therapy” with DeLinda Spain, LCSW, CGP, CEDS, December 18, 2020 (3 hours)

“Deepening the Emotional Work: Moving With and Beyond Shame” with Lindsey Lucius, LCSW-S, December 4, 2020 (2 hours)

“Addressing Culture, Identity, and Incongruence Within the Therapeutic Relationship” with Marlon Johnson, Ph.D., LPC-MHSP, NCC, November 6, 2020 (2 hours)

“Dynamic Enriched Experiential Psychotherapy (DEEP): An Overview” with Eva Lorini, LPC in Austin, Texas, October 16, 2020 (3 hours)

“Psychotherapy Ethics of Exploring Sex and Gender Identity” with Adam MacDonald, LCSW, October 9, 2020 (2 hours) 

“Using Attachment Theory and Interpersonal Neurobiology to Humanize Our Response to Grief” with Candyce Ossefort-Russell, LPC-S, October 2, 2020 (3 hours)

“Neuroception and Safety in Couples Therapy” with Juliane Taylor-Shore, LPC-S, LMFT-S, September 18, 2020 (3 hours)

“Integrated Treatment: Medication and Therapy” with Samantha Symons, MD, September 11, 2020 (2 hours)

“Trauma Work Essentials” with Juliane Taylor-Shore, LPC-S, LMFT-S, August 14, 2020 (3 hours)

“DBT Change Skills” with DeLinda Spain, LCSW, CGP, CEDS, July 10, 2020 (2 hours)

“DBT Acceptance Skills” with DeLinda Spain, LCSW, CGP, CEDS, June 12, 2020 (2 hours)

“Ethics and the Texas Social Worker” with National Association of Social Workers, February 28, 2020 (3 hours)

“How Mind/Body Wellness Coaching Supports The Addiction Treatment Continuum Of Care” with Charles McGarty, January 23, 2020 (1 hour)

“How We Talk About the Power and Value of Group” with Austin Group Psychotherapy Society, AGPS Annual Meeting, January 17, 2020 (2.5 hours)