About Claire

First & foremost, I’m so honored that you are here!

In my life, therapy has been a buoy, an anchor, a safe harbor, and a strong current. My therapist has served as my advocate and support system, has reminded me of who I am and encouraged me to hold fast, has provided a space of rest and comfort, and has served as a guiding force as I navigated choppy waters. I hope that I can provide the same for you.

Believe it or not, I have two degrees in classical music: a Bachelor’s of Music Education and a Master’s of Flute Performance. Through my training as a flutist, I learned the value of expression, the beauty of vulnerability, and the paralyzing overwhelm of anxiety. It was my own struggles with mental health in the field of music that inspired me to return to school to become a therapist.

My therapeutic style involves humor, compassion, and honesty. I am a straightforward therapist, but I strive hold space for you in a gentle and authentic way. It is important to me that you know that I identify as a humanistic therapist, which means that I believe three things about you:

1. You are good. You were born good. Your essence is goodness.

2. It is in your nature to grow, to shift, to adjust. You evolve naturally. You are not stuck.

3. Your ability to reflect on the past and create meaning is what makes you remarkable.

My therapeutic style is undoubtedly informed by my nine-year career as a devoted yoga instructor. In yoga classes, I often encourage my students to allow themselves to fully experience their emotions and physical sensations on the mat, referring to the practice as a microcosm of our lives. If my students can have an experience of connection, care, and acceptance when moving on their yoga mat, I believe that they are more likely to experience this connection to self in their daily lives, as well.  The same is true for therapy.

I identify as queer and am proud to offer services to the LGBTQ+ community. Coming out is not a singular experience, but a multifaceted, life-long journey. I am painfully familiar with the anxiety, fear of rejection, and social shame that accompany this particular brand of self-discovery, but from lived experience, I am also acquainted with the fulfillment, embodiment, and joy of living in alignment with my whole self.

I believe that we become more fully human when we are able to acknowledge and engage with all of the parts of ourselves — the good, the uncomfortable, the weird — with curiosity. My role is to provide encouragement, unbiased insight, and compassion for you on your journey inward.

I am currently under supervision by Dr. Heather Austin-Robillard, LMFT-S.

credentials

M.S. in Marriage and Family Therapy, Texas Tech University, 2022
M.M. in Flute Performance, Texas Tech University, 2020
Bachelor’s of Music Education, Henderson State University, 2016

EMDR Institute Basic Training, 2022
Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Training, 2020
Essentials of Performing Arts Medicine, 2020
Offering Yoga and Mindfulness in Prisons & Jails, Bill Brown & Tierney Lawson, Prison Yoga Project, 2019
Reiki Level II, Lotus Path, 2017
Reiki Level I, Academy of Holistic Arts, 2016
200-hour Yoga Teacher Training, Brahmani Liebman & Jashoda Edmunds, Kripalu School of Yoga, 2014

advocacy & research