Meet Our Therapists
The Talk Therapy ATX Mission
To promote and facilitate one’s connection to the creative expression of emotions,
fostering healing from within.
fostering healing from within.
Talk Therapy Austin provides counseling services for adolescents and adults. Each individual has unique needs and Talk Therapy Austin strives to help clients find the counseling and services that meet those unique needs for both short and long term solutions
Meet Our Clinical Director and Supervising Therapist
Angela Funke, MA, LMFT Supervisor
Angela Funke, MA, LMFT Supervisor
Angela holds an MA in Counseling from St. Edward's University with an emphasis in Marriage and Family Therapy and is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist Supervisor by the State of Texas (License 201661). Angela has a background in Counseling, Systems Theories, Human Growth & Development, Diverse Populations, Abnormal Behaviors, Child & Adolescent Techniques, Group Counseling, Assessment, and Trauma and Crises Management. She has been a licensed therapist since 2011 and has been counseling families on issues such as financial stressors and case management since 2005.
Angela has advanced experience/research/training in the following areas:
- Interventions in Trauma Management
- Neurodivergence
- Interpersonal Communication
- Giftedness: Addressing the Emotional Needs of Gifted Children
- Mental Health First Aid
- Comprehensive Sexual Education for Adolescents
- Non-Monogamous Relationships
Professionally Angela began her career in the arts through photography, graphic design and other mediums and has incorporated her love and knowledge of the arts into her therapy style. As a therapist she works primarily from a blend of neurobiological and attachment viewpoints, with CBT, mindfulness, and psycho-educational blended elements. In this structure, therapy is primarily aimed at helping clients become aware of and make productive use of deeper thoughts, feelings, and patterns under the surface. As humans, over the years we suppress and manage our emotions in order to cope with everyday life, however, it is only when we acknowledge and express these emotions, that we can rediscover a passion for life. Therapy encourages self-confidence and independence, a focus on the present, healthy expression of emotions, and a connection of the actual and the symbolic. Therapy can help us gain insight to take control of writing our own story instead of feeling like the world is happening to us as we struggle under our emotional burdens.
Angela is active in the community through multiple organizations including, Girl Scouts, Mobile Loaves and Fishes, and recreational leagues such as Brewskeeball. Angela and her partner raise two adolescents and three cats. Angela identifies as a queer, autistic, cis female and strives to support all those in our community regardless of identity, orientation, or relationship lifestyle.
Scruffy is our resident Therapy Cat, he is a playful and attuned animal, always looking for connection with people. He loves to be pet or brushed and often finds himself coming to the emotional aid of people in need.
Meet Our Therapists
What are Associates and Graduate Intern Therapists?
An Associate level therapist has completed their education and is licensed by the state of Texas to provide counseling services. They work under the supervision of a licensed Clinical Supervisor for the first 3000 hours of their practice. They are well trained and experienced counselors, usually in the first 2-5 years of their practice, with at minimum 1-2 years of counseling experience. Associates on this page are supervised by Angela Funke, MA, LMFTS and work independently under their own practice name.
A Graduate Level intern has completed all of their education and training, yet is not licensed yet by the state, as the final stage of their training is to receive 1 year of practice in direct service to clients. These are counselors with education and training in counseling, some of the with specialized training in an area, who are ready to meet with clients and begin their careers. They are equivalent to a resident doctor in a hospital or a student teacher in a classroom. All therapists have the knowledge and training to help our clients, and all therapists receive additional support and supervision through our Clinical Director.
HEATHER JAMES, LMFTA
Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist Associate, She/Her
Heather received her Masters of Arts in Family Therapy from The University of Houston - Clear Lake and is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist - Associate. Heather is a collaborative, person-focused therapist believing the client is the expert and the therapist is a kind constant walking along side you during your journey. She doesn’t believe in formalities, some say talking with heather doesn’t feel like therapy, but chatting with a dear friend.
Heather is specialized in adverse childhood experiences, relationship dysfunction, self-esteem, body imagine, negative self talk, and alternative relationship styles. She pullsfrom a multitude of theories and has an eclectic style meant to best fit each unique client. Using a wide range of theories such as Bowenian, CBT, Attachment theory, Motivational Interviewing, and more. She is a social justice advocate pulling from feminist theory, social justice, and queer theory to provide comprehensive support to under served populations.
Heather provides individual, couples, and family therapy and is comfortable with a wide range of diagnose from anxiety and depression to borderline personality disorder and OCD.
Heather is under the Supervision of Angela Funke, MA, LMFTS.
Heather is accepting clients in person and virtually, private pay or through Cigna Insurance. heatherjamestherapy@gmail.com
KYLE RUTHERFORD, LMFTA
Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist Associate, He/Him
You’ve been barely hanging on for so long—trying anything to reconnect with your partner(s) or family, meet everyone's expectations, and fend off emotional burnout. Perhaps you’re navigating neurodivergence or carrying the weight of unprocessed trauma, and it feels overwhelming.
You want to move forward but find yourself stuck, caught in patterns of self-sabotage or conflict in your relationships. You hope to break free from the cycle of frustration and self-doubt, feel like you're truly moving toward your goals, and create healthier relationships with yourself and others. If any of this resonates with you, you don’t have to face it alone.
Kyle is a dedicated Marriage & Family Therapist Associate under the supervision of Angela Funke, MA, LMFTS. He brings a wealth of understanding to his practice with an M.S. in Marriage and Family Therapy, a B.S. in Psychology, and a Minor in Neuroscience. Kyle deeply believes that you are not your problems; you are a person deserving of love and understanding.
His therapeutic approach includes a blend of evidence-based modalities, including Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), Narrative Therapy, Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT), Eye-Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), and parts work. Informed by his training in EMDR, attachment theory, and polyvagal theory, Kyle’s approach recognizes the profound impact that past trauma, attachment patterns, and the nervous system have on emotional well-being and important relationships. He helps clients address and integrate different aspects of the self, allowing for deeper healing and capacity for fulfilling connection.
As someone who is neurodivergent and a steadfast LGBTQ+ ally, Kyle understands the importance of fostering an inclusive, judgment-free environment. He’s not just here to listen; he’s here to walk beside you, whether you’re grappling with relationship difficulties, emotional challenges, mental health conditions, traumatic experiences, or life transitions. He applies a systemic perspective to therapy, encompassing individuals, couples, and families (including chosen families), as he recognizes the intricate interconnectedness of our lives.
When he’s not helping others navigate their emotional landscapes, Kyle recharges through board games, disc golf, and immersing himself in nature. He lives with his loving partner and two cherished cats, Lilo and Mochi.
Under the supervision of Angela Funke, LMFT-S, Kyle is excited and honored to be part of your therapeutic journey. He offers both in-person and telehealth sessions.
Contact him today at kyle@therootedbraintherapy.com or 512-222-9605.
BROOKE BECKER, LMFTA
Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist Associate, She/Her
You see yourself as a free-spirit and you deserve a fulfilling relationship and sex life, but somewhere along the way, an experience got in the way of the connection and playfulness you crave in your relationships. You might feel stuck in old patterns or reenacting past dynamics with your partner(s). Perhaps a lack of self-acceptance is holding you back, or you can't seem to shake an old wound. You’re ready to break free and trust yourself again. Let's unlock your confidence to live authentically.
To get you there, true change goes beyond venting. Together, we’ll explore how your past affects the present, identify repeating behaviors, and develop strategies to break them. We’ll dismantle harmful narratives and reconnect with your body to help you navigate relationships and intimacy with confidence.
Rediscover playfulness and connection in your relationships. You deserve to feel seen and to be celebrated. Sex therapy goes beyond physical intimacy—it’s about equipping you with knowledge and tapping into your-inner wisdom to navigate relationships, embrace your full-personhood, and address other mental health challenges in a holistic way.
Under the supervision of Angela Funke, LMFT-S, Brooke is excited and honored to be part of your therapeutic journey. He offers both in-person and telehealth sessions.
Contact her today at 512.809.2855.
STEPHANIE MAK
Graduate Level Intern Therapist, She/Her
Hello! I am Stephanie and I'm currently pursuing my Master's in Clinical Mental Health at Adam's State University. I attended Texas A&M University and graduated with a B.S. in Psychology. My approach to therapy is deeply person-centric. I believe that every person is unique, and their experiences deserve individualized attention and care.
I have a particular passion for working with immigrants, multicultural individuals, young adults, and the LGBTQIA+ community. My practice is an inclusive and welcoming space for people of all backgrounds. I celebrate diversity and embrace clients from every race, faith, gender, identity, sexual orientation, consensual relationship dynamic, or otherwise unique background. I am here to take your hand in navigating life challenges such as anxiety, depression, relationship difficulties, emotional challenges, life transitions, grief, addiction, and unresolved trauma.
My theoretical orientations are from Multiculturalism, Integrative Approach, and Adlerian Therapy. In addition to traditional therapy techniques, I am deeply passionate about holistic healing approaches. I have a personal background in practices such as acroyoga, meditation and breathwork because I believe in the integration of the mind, body, and soul to promote healing and personal growth. I am a true believer that mind and body are connected and I integrate practices such as mindfulness and somatic experiences into my practice. It's my belief that true well-being comes from nurturing all aspects of ourselves.
Outside of the office, you can find me dancing, painting in my living room, surfing on the lakes, taking my dog Archie out on hikes, and caring for the many plants I deeply love. I have a particular love for performance arts and in my free time I like to dabble in learning circus arts!
As both a person and a professional, I strive to create a warm and open environment where authenticity is valued. My goal is to offer a safe space for growth and discovery, where you can explore your thoughts, emotions, and experiences without judgment. I am currently accepting new clients through in person or telehealth sessions. I can be reached via email at stephanie@talktherapyaustin.com.
LINDSEY CHAPMAN
Graduate Level Intern Therapist, She/Her
I am a graduate student at George Fox University, working towards earning my degree in Marriage, Couples, and Family Counseling. I previously attended the University of Oregon where I earned a B.S. in Psychology. During my time in my graduate program, I have sought out and completed advanced trauma-informed training through George Fox’s Trauma Response Institute and I am currently working to receive advanced training and certification surrounding sexuality, sexual health, and couples and sex therapy through Sexual Health Alliance.
When I step into the therapeutic space, I’m showing up for you and bringing my whole self to the experience. In doing that, I hope to create a sense of understanding and support that is rooted in authenticity, acceptance, and honoring the “humanness” that makes all of us who we are. Change is a gradual and individualized process. I work to meet people where they are so that they receive the care and attention that best suits their journey. My specific approach is tailored to you. I care about you feeling supported, seen, and heard. I seek to create a brave space that offers safety, stability, and connection in your journey to healing.
My foundation for working with individuals, families, and couples is through a systemic lens with the understanding that we are not formed nor do we live in a vacuum. The systems and their parts are best understood in relationship to each other and the influence that places on our lives. I acknowledge the impact that power, privilege, and oppression may have on the individual’s mental health and relationships. Every person’s journey is one that is filled with unique experiences and understandings, so it’s important to me to strive to create a space that is inclusive and affirming to all identities and maintains perspective on the intersections of identity such as race, religion/spiritual practice, gender identity, sexual orientation, body size, ability, and more. I believe that every person has their own unique strengths and resources and holds the ability to tap into them. Your autonomy in leading sessions is valued, allowing for a personalized and self-directed exploration. By collaborating, we find that which empowers you, helping you to help yourself.
I have a passion for working with the LGBTQIA+ community, couples/partners of all relationship dynamics, trauma survivors, and those who are experiencing issues with all aspects of sexuality and sexual behavior. I practice with an Integrative Approach, primarily informed by Multicultural, Solution-Focused, Strengths Based, Narrative, and Person-Centered therapies. I am sex and sex worker positive, fat positive, body affirming, HAES aligned, and kink aware.
Outside of the therapeutic space, you can find me indulging in good books and great food, spending time with my puppy, Minerva, making delightfully sh*tty crafts, and traveling as much as possible to explore this big, wide world with my wife.
I would love the opportunity to be a part of your journey towards healing and joy. Under the supervision of Angela Funke, LMFT-S, I’m a graduate student counseling intern who offers telehealth and in-person sessions (including evenings and weekends) and can be reached for appointments at lindsey@talktherapyaustin.com.
EMILI KRANTZ
Graduate Level Intern Therapist, She/Her/Ella
Emilí is in her last year of her Master’s program in Marriage and Family Therapy from ACU. She holds a B.S. in Elementary Education from Loyola University in New Orleans and has a background in early childhood education. Emilí has experience and research in neurodivergence, inattentive ADHD, medical trauma, families with chronic illness.
Emilí is a registered yoga instructor and brings breathwork, grounding, and meditation to her therapy practice. She specializes in Emotionally Focused Therapy and believes that our first attachments of life affect our attachments with our loved ones later in life. When we go deeper into our first relationships, we can begin to understand our current ones. Change happens slowly and I am here to help you on your healing journey.
Emilí gives back to our community by volunteering with the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Emilí supports everyone from our community regardless of identity, orientation or relationship style.
Emilí can be reached at emili@talktherapyaustin.com and looks forward to working with you!
MAGDALENA RILEY
Graduate Level Intern Therapist, She/Her
My therapeutic approach is empathetic, direct, and creative. I aim to provide compassionate support and safety, while also creating space for deep self reflection and the courage to try new ways of being. I tend to see problems as relational; we get stuck in patterns of relating to others and ourselves that may have been adaptive at one point but often stop serving us and cause us distress. Maybe you and your partner are in a pattern that prevents you from getting your needs met. Or maybe you have a habit of denying parts of yourself that seem dangerous or intolerable but that’s keeping you from being in the world in the way you wish to be. We will explore your story with mutual curiosity to discover those outdated patterns and disrupt them by creating new interpretations of events, behaviors, thoughts, and memories that will make new choices and avenues of action seem possible. Practicing these new ways of being (and processing them with me) will shift your relationships with significant others and with parts of yourself, hopefully bringing about greater health, self integration, and a stronger sense of personal power in your life.
I am in the final year of pursuing my Masters in Professional Counseling (with a concentration in marriage, couples, and families) at Texas State University. In my previous career I was a professional dancer, artist, and dance educator. I hold an MFA in studio art and currently teach dance at the University of Texas at Austin. I work with adult individuals, couples, and families, particularly those grappling with relationship issues, major transitions, grief, and anxiety.
I am under the supervision of Angela Funke and can be reached at magda@talktherapyaustin.com. I see clients in person and via telehealth. Session rate: $25.
AMANDA MIXON
Graduate Level Intern Therapist, She/He/They/Any
Hi, my name is Mixon, and I’m a graduate student in the Professional Counseling program at Texas State University, with concentrations in Marriage, Couple, and Family Counseling, as well as Clinical Mental Health Counseling. My journey to working in the mental health field has been somewhat circuitous. I grew up in rural poverty in the U.S. south and pursued a Ph.D. in Comparative Literature at the University of California, Irvine because I needed to understand how cultural issues and social dynamics produce great suffering in this world. After completing my Ph.D., I returned home and subsequently worked as a professor at The University of Texas at Austin, Texas State University, and the University of Mississippi. My goal from the time I entered my Ph.D. program to the time I became a professor was simple: bring knowledge back to your people so that they might use it to enhance their awareness of self in the world. These experiences as a researcher and educator deeply inform my therapeutic practice as a counselor-in-training today.
For me, the client is always the expert on their life, and in therapy, the client and the counselor work together to help the client develop a further understanding of the self. I approach mental health and well-being from a holistic standpoint, meaning that clients are welcome to process and integrate their experiences through single or multiple lenses of their choosing: whether that be psychological, physical, emotional, cultural, relational, and/or spiritual. I am probably best identified as an eclectic practitioner, as I do not use one theoretical model in working with clients; however, some preferences include relational cultural, psychodynamic, depth, existential, and narrative. I sincerely believe that one of the bravest decisions in life is a commitment to healing the self and seeking change. If you are ready to take that step by starting or returning to therapy, then I would be honored to share in that journey with you. Whether discussing grief, gender and body image (dysphoria/dysmorphia), sexuality, substance use, depression, anxiety, relationships, or trauma, I will help hold an affirmative space that feels safe for you. All people and concerns are welcome, but I am especially passionate about working with these issues in individuals and couples: gender and sexuality, race and racial trauma, historical and cultural trauma, class and class trauma, men’s issues, LGBTQ issues, attachment styles, and high-stress careers (like academia).
Under the supervision of Angela Funke, LMFT-S, I offer in-person and telehealth sessions. Appointments can be scheduled by contacting me at mixon@talktherapyaustin.com.
LEZAH WINICK
Graduate Level Intern Therapist, She/Her
My therapeutic approach is compassionate, collaborative, and focused on solutions. I believe that clients are the experts in their own lives, and my role is to help you uncover and amplify your strengths, clarify your goals, and take actionable steps toward meaningful change. Through a supportive and nonjudgmental space, we will work together to identify what is working, build on those successes, and envision a future that feels aligned with your values and desires.
I specialize in working with a variety of populations, including first-time parents, couples, people going through major transition, neurodivergent individuals, and children ages 6–16. Whether you're navigating the challenges of parenting, strengthening your relationships, or supporting your child through emotional or behavioral concerns, I aim to provide a safe and encouraging environment where progress feels possible and attainable.
With over 12 years of experience working with children in various capacities and a social work background supporting the homeless population, I bring a unique perspective and adaptability to my practice.
In addition to Solution-Focused Brief Therapy, I utilize play therapy techniques to engage children and create a space for them to express themselves in ways that feel natural and empowering. For parents and couples, I focus on practical, strengths-based strategies to improve communication, address challenges, and build stronger connections.
I am currently in the final year of my Master’s in Professional Counseling at Texas State University, with a concentration in marriage, couples, and family therapy. I am under the supervision of Angela Funke LMFT-S.
I offer in-person and telehealth sessions at a rate of $25 per session. I can be reached at lezah@talktherapyustin.com.
THéODORE HALLS
Graduate Level Intern Therapist, He/Him
I believe that healing begins with understanding ourselves, our relationships, and the systems that shape our lives. As a Graduate Intern at Talk Therapy Austin, I am committed to helping individuals, couples, and families make sense of their experiences, navigate challenges, and build lives rich with meaning and connection.
I am earning my Master’s in Marriage and Family Therapy from Abilene Christian University, and my approach to therapy is deeply rooted in systems thinking. I recognize that our struggles don’t exist in isolation—they are influenced by the relationships, reinforcers, and narratives that define our world. I aim to help clients uncover these patterns and reshape their stories to empower growth, strengthen relationships, and cultivate a more profound sense of fulfillment.
I specialize in working with individuals facing substance use disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, and major depressive disorder, as well as families navigating transitions throughout the family life cycle. I also provide narrative therapy for neurodivergent individuals, helping clients reframe their stories to honor their unique perspectives while fostering self-acceptance and empowerment. My clinical work is guided by the belief that when individuals feel genuinely understood—both by themselves and those around them—they gain the clarity and confidence needed to move toward meaningful change.
Outside of therapy, I find meaning in life’s simple joys—cooking a great meal, traveling to new places, getting lost in a book, or playing guitar with friends. My wife and I welcomed our first child in December 2024, and we love building our life together in the Hill Country of Austin.
I offer in-person and telehealth sessions at a rate of $25 per session. I can be reached at theodore@talktherapyustin.com.