Hello, I'm Kaleigh Amaya

Licensed Professional Counselor- Associate #91347
Supervised by Dr. Gerald Pennie LPC #72286

I’m from a small town in East Texas and grew up feeling like I always had to present a perfect picture to the people around me. It was difficult for me to connect with who I truly was because I felt as though I had to live up to the expectations of others. Through my own experiences with therapy, I began to connect more with my inner voice and found that I was happiest and most confident when I was true to myself.

I moved to Austin to pursue my Bachelor’s of Science in Psychology from the University of Texas. I fell in love with the greenery and the people in Austin, and decided to stay for good. I earned my Master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Southern New Hampshire University and began with Austin STRONG as a pre-graduate intern in 2022. When I’m not working I can typically be found on one of Austin’s many hiking trails, spending time with my dogs, or fiddling with my plants.

Therapy with me

I know first hand that therapy can be intimidating. My ultimate goal in therapy is to create a safe and nonjudgmental environment where you can express yourself, process difficult emotions, and make steps towards living as your most authentic self. I want to help you connect with the strengths that are already inside of you and provide you with extra tools so you can live a fulfilled life.

I utilize a Person-Centered approach to meet my clients where they are so we can set goals together and determine the best and most effective way to move forward. This is your therapy, and I want you to know and feel that you have an active role in the entire process. We as human beings aren’t blank slates, though, so I work from a Psychodynamic approach to explore how relationships and events from your past and present may be affecting your life and relationship.

When working with couples, I use the STRONG Model of Safety, Trust, Respect, Openness, Nurturing, and Generosity to strengthen relationships and ensure that both partners feel loved, respected, and connected in the relationship. You can read more about the STRONG Model here.

I may be a good fit for you if:

“You want to feel more connected to your partner”

“You want to learn how to set boundaries with friends or family members”

“You are going through a major life transition”

“You want to connect more to yourself and strengthen your self-confidence”

“You want to explore your relationship before marriage”

“You and your partner are having trouble communicating”

My Passions and Areas of Specialization

Individuals
Couples
Premarital
Adjusting to major life transitions as an individual or couple
Depression
Anxiety

My Trainings and Modalities:

Person-Centered Therapy
Psychodynamic Therapy
CBT
PREPARE/Enrich Premarital Certified
STRONG Model of Relational Therapy