Ada Martinez, MSSW, LCSW
Bachelor of Arts in Social Work, St. Edward's University
Master of Science in Social Work, University of Texas at Austin
Licensed Clinical Social Worker (License #17846)
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Ada graduated from St. Edward’s University in 1990 with a Bachelor of Arts in Social Work and received a Master of Science in Social Work degree from UT Austin in 1995. Ada has 26 years of professional experience in Medical Social Work doing case management, short-term counseling and complex resource linkage. When she received her LCSW license in 2009, she developed a deeper appreciation and skill for psychotherapy. She has spent years working in community mental health clinics providing counseling to people who didn't have insurance or the means to afford seeking help.
Ada always had a heart for serving others. During her career, she has become proficient in working with many issues including: grief, loss, depression, anxiety, adjustment disorders, family problems and dealing with difficult medical diagnoses. She is familiar and comfortable with executing many theoretical approaches but the ones she employs the most are psycho-education, solution- focused, psychodynamic, crisis intervention, person-centered and Cognitive Processing Therapy for survivors of trauma. She also has a lot of experience helping people apply for Social Security Disability.
Ada is originally from Mexico and is fluent in Spanish and English, and she is comfortable conducting session in English and Spanish. As an immigrant, Ada has extensive experience working with Spanish speaking clients and immigrant clients from diverse parts of the world. Ada is comfortable bringing faith into sessions.
Ada works out of the Austin office and offers her clients evening appointment options.
Karen Cotton, MSW, LCSW
Bachelor of Science in Education Psychology, North Texas State University
Master of Social Work, West Virginia University
Licensed Clinical Social Worker (License #32681)
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Karen joined Get Out of Your Head Therapy in 2016 to expand her work with the LGBTQIA community, people taking care of aging loved ones or those living with Alzheimer’s Disease, and clients who want to incorporate weight loss or weight management into their counseling experience. Karen had a robust career before joining Get Out Of Your Head Therapy. She worked in a hospital setting serving clients struggling with drug and alcohol abuse. Then, she worked with couples and families living with HIV. For many years, she worked with inmates in California and coordinated their re-integration into the community.
Karen works with adults and the elderly and specializes in same-sex couples counseling, crisis intervention, aging issues, adult caretaker challenges, retirement transitions, HIV challenges and concerns specifically related to LGBTQIA identity. While Karen is trained in many of the schools and models of therapy, the theories and therapeutic approaches she utilizes the most are Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Psychodynamic and Person-Centered Therapy.
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Karen provides her clients Saturday appointments.
AshleyDawn Sheppard, MS, LPC-S
Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy & Journalism, Baylor University
Master of Science in Counseling Psychology, Texas A&M University - Central Texas
Licensed Professional Counselor - Supervisor (License #69395)
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AshleyDawn has a special place in her heart for Waco. She saw a need for skilled clinicians in Waco, and decided to open an office to serve Wacoans and greater McLennan County. AshleyDawn practices in the Waco office and also provides online counseling. She is the co-founder of Get Out Of Your Head Therapy.
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AshleyDawn is passionate about making counseling services accessible to people from all walks of life - which is reflected in her fee for services. She spent many years working in Corporate America before deciding to pursue a graduate degree in a field that she found more intrinsically fulfilling. She has experienced first-hand the benefits of career counseling, group counseling, individual counseling and self-betterment workshops,and that is why she seeks to provide her clients with excellent service & skilled help.
She has a special passion for helping survivors of sexual trauma & sexual abuse find wholeness. And she likes to come alongside couples and individuals who are trying to heal after a major life disruption.
AshleyDawn is trained in EMDR, certified in Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy & is a Prepare/Enrich Facilitator. While she is trained in many the schools & models of therapy, the theories & therapeutic approaches she utilizes the most are Choice Theory/Reality Therapy, Bowenian Transgenerational Systems Theory, Emotionally Focused Therapy, Narrative Therapy, Collaborative Language Systems, Person-Centered Therapy, Human Validation Process Model, and Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy.
Kayleigh Anderson, MS, LPC-S
Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, Texas Woman’s University
Master of Science in Counseling & Development, Texas Woman’s University
Licensed Professional Counselor- Supervisor (License #69120)
Kayleigh joined our team in 2019. She was drawn to working at Get Out Of Your Head Therapy because of the mission to provide counseling services to underserved populations. She is passionate about breaking down barriers to mental health services. Kayleigh finds joy in getting to know people and values the vulnerability clients show when they choose to engage in the counseling process. Kayleigh understands the courage it takes to seek help and actively works to reduce stigma surrounding mental health.
Kayleigh has a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology with a minor in Family Studies and a Master of Science in Counseling and Development. She has experience working with children, adolescents, and adults. She especially enjoys working with couples, survivors of trauma, individuals who are adapting to a change in health status, adolescents who are transitioning into adulthood, and individuals struggling with depression. As a person with a physical disability, Kayleigh is aware of and knowledgeable about the unique struggles individuals with physical disabilities face throughout their lifespan. Kayleigh is committed to providing counseling which is welcoming to all regardless of sexual orientation, disability status, or ethnic background.
Kayleigh has an eclectic approach to therapy and aims to tailor the counseling process to the unique needs of her clients. She has been trained in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Level 1 of the Gottman Method, and Cognitive Processing Therapy. Some of the theories and therapeutic approaches that Kayleigh utilizes include Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, Person-Centered Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Play Therapy, and Seeking Safety.
Kayleigh offers clients evening and weekend appointments.
