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Heart Gallery of Texas

Find Your Adoption Competent Therapist Here

Every family’s journey with adoption and/or guardianship is unique, having the right support can make all the difference. Adoption-competent therapists are caring mental health professionals who have completed specialized training to better understand the unique experiences of adopted children, youth, and their families. Through adoption competency training, therapists learn how to address important issues such as identity, attachment, grief and loss, and family dynamics with compassion and sensitivity. Their expertise helps ensure that every family member feels seen, supported, and empowered to build stronger, healthier connections. 

The Heart Galleries of Texas (HGTX), in partnership with the National Center for Adoption Competent Mental Health Services, has launched an initiative to expand access to quality adoption competent care. Through this program, we have recruited and trained a cohort of dedicated therapists from across the state who are ready to walk alongside families like yours. With their specialized knowledge and guidance, you can feel confident that your family is supported by professionals who truly understand adoption and are committed to helping your relationships thrive. 

Father and son attending a therapy session

Adoption Competent Therapists in Texas

You can explore our list of adoption competent therapists here and find the right fit for your family. This is a new initiative, and we will add more therapists over time. If you have any questions about this list, please contact Samantha.Thompson@austin.utexas.edu

NameLocationAgency/BusinessBioEmailWebsite
Allison Baker, LPC-SAustinSAFE Allianceabaker@safeaustin.orgWebsite
Andrea Daniels, LCSWHouston Renewed Vision Behavioral Health ServicesTherapist Bioinfo@renewedvisionbhs.comWebsite
Angeliqueca Avery, LPC-SPort AuthorInfinite Potentialinfinite.potential@live.comWebsite
Anna Reed McBee, LCSWAustin Austin Center for Eating DisordersTherapist Bioanna@acedatx.comWebsite
Annie Atwood, LCSW-SHoustonThe Sanctuary Foster Care Servicesaatwood@sanctuaryfostercare.orgWebsite
Carla Pelcastre, LCSW-SAustinSecond Wave CounselingTherapist Bioinfo@secondwavecounseling.comWebsite
Carol Stilwill, LPCBoerneRoy Mass Youth Alternativecstilwill@rmya.orgWebsite
Carrie Moore, LCSW-SFort WorthChildren’s Health: Rees-Jones Center for Foster Care Excellencecarrie.Moore@Childrens.comWebsite
Christina Foxhall, LCSW-SAustinSAFE Alliancecfoxhall@safeaustin.orgWebsite
Corina A. Marrufo, LCSWHorizon City/El PasoEl Paso Child Guidance Center cmarrufo@epcgc.orgWebsite
Diana Q Miles, LCSWSan AntonioRoy Mass Youth Alternativedmiles@ryma@orgWebsite
Earley Regina Barnes-Ullrich, LCSW-SLeanderHopeful Waters Wellness Therapist Bioearley@hopefulwaterswellness.comWebsite
Elena Hampton, LMSWArlingtonelenahampton22@gmail.com
Elizabeth Barrientes, LPC-SKingsvilleDistinctive Counseling and Consulting Therapist Bioelizabeth.barrientes2022@gmail.comWebsite
Jacqueline Difiore, LPCCorpus Christi Unity Mental Health Counseling jacqueline.difiore@unitymhc.orgWebsite
Jennifer Hester, LPC-AssociateGalvestonFamily Services Centerjhester@fscgal.orgWebsite
Jessica Dominy, LMSWLivingstonHopeful Waters Wellness, PLLCTherapist Biojessdomi17@gmail.comWebsite
Joy Kramer, LPCDallasBuckner Children and Family Servicesjoy.kramer@buckner.orgWebsite
Julia Gibson, LCSWAustinLive Oak Therapy CollectiveTherapist Biojuliaelizabethgibson@gmail.comWebsite
Kaitlyn Christian, LPC, RPTDallasGladneyTherapist Biokaitlyn.christian@gladney.orgWebsite
Kara Leon, LCSWFort WorthGladneyTherapist Biokara.leon@gladney.orgWebsite
Kasey Nightingale, LMSWAustinSecond Wave CounselingTherapist Biohello@KaseyNightingale.comWebsite
Katherine Watson, LCSW-SAustin Anchored Hope Therapy Therapist Bioktawatson.counseling@gmail.comWebsite
Kaysha Herd, LPCAustin/Georgetown, TXKaysha Herd, MA, LPCTherapist Biokaysha.lpc@gmail.comWebsite
Kiante Conger, LCSWFort WorthGladneyTherapist Biokiante.conger@gladney.orgWebsite
Kristen Meeks, LCSWLubbockTexas Boys and Girls Ranchkristenmeeks@yahoo.comWebsite
Maria Cristina Diaz, LPCEl Paso El Paso Child Guidance Center mdiaz@epcgc.orgWebsite
Michelle Koudsi, LMSWHouston Safe Space Therapeutic Therapist Bio michelle@thechronicallyempowered.com Website
Mirakal McGill, LPCCorpus Christi Distinctive Counseling and Consulting Therapist Biommmcgill71@gmail.comWebsite
Morgan Draper, LPC, Certified Play TherapistHouston GladneyTherapist Biomorgan.draper@gladney.orgWebsite
Naquasha Riser, LPCAustin Pursuit of Happinessnaquasha.riser@gmail.comWebsite
Natalie Wash, LPCDallasChildren’s Health: Rees-Jones Center for Foster Care Excellencenatalie.wash@childrens.comWebsite
Nicole Malone, LMSWAustinNicolemalone214@gmail.com
Robertah Rodriguez, LPC-ALubbock TX Boys and Girls Ranch rrodriguez@txgbr.orgWebsite
Ro’Linder Taylor, LCSW-SHoustonJust Wright Therapeutic SolutionsTherapist Biojustwrighttherapeutic@gmail.comWebsite
Sara Hendrix, LCSWSan AntonioInnova Recovery Centershendrix413@yahoo.com
Sarah Fankhauser, LCSWAustinPrivate PracticeTherapist Biosarahfank.lcsw@gmail.comWebsite
Sarah Waltz,LCSW-SSan AntonioTHRU Project sarahwaltzlcsw@yahoo.comWebsite
Shelbie Michaels, LPC Dallas Bair Foundation info@unleashinghope.family Website
Shelley Kalina, LCSWFort WorthGladneyTherapist Bioshelly.kalina@gladney.orgWebsite
Sophie Cantu, LPC-SFort WorthChildren’s Health: Rees-Jones Center for Foster Care ExcellenceSophia.cantu@childrens.comWebsite
Staci Beck, LPC-SWaxahachieTBHC Foster Care and Adoptionsbeck@tbhc.orgWebsite
Tonya King-Smith, LCSW-SBowieTexas Community CounselingTherapist Biotonya@texascommunitycounseling.orgWebsite
Yadi Puente, LPC-S, ATR-BCSan AntonioArtvango Therapeutic Services IncTherapist Bioyadi@artvango.orgWebsite