A. B. Parris, LCSW
she/they
I'm not taking new clients currently due to upcoming medical leave at the end of 2024, but I am open to returning, established clients.
- Given my own identities and experiences I am especially passionate about working with children, teens and young adults with the following identities:
- Neurodivergent (Autistic, ADHD, Sensory Processing Differences and more)
- LGBTQIA2S+/Queer
- Impacted by foster care/adoption.
- Impacted by trauma
I practice predominantly from client centered and gestalt/humanistic theories using a prescriptive lens to apply what is most effective for you or your child while viewing our work through the broader picture of attachment and interpersonal neurobiology. As it is their first language, with children I typically offer play therapy moving more into expressive arts and talk therapy as clients age. With younger clients, to ensure the most effectiveness and support, I always involve caregivers as often as appropriate.
I am trained in:
- Child-Centered Play Therapy
- Synergetic Play Therapy
- Gestalt Play Therapy
- AutPlay (Certified)
- Sand Tray
- IFS/Parts Work
- EMDR
- DBT
- Somatic Healing
Recognizing so many of our and our youth's struggles are the result of living in a world not meant for us, not supporting us, I strive towards being and practicing in as much of an anti oppressive lens as possible. I also acknowledge I am human, will fall short sometimes and know I will always have to learn and grow. However, in seeing the impact of the systems we often have to exist within, I believe while we work to unpack emotions and beliefs in the therapy room, my work can often fall outside of the therapy room as well- supporting you in advocating for supportive changes in your or your child's environment.
More About Me:
I identify as queer, genderqueer, neurodivergent and white. A lot of these identities are late identified for me as I grew up in the late 90s/early 2000s primarily on a farm in rural South Carolina, where awareness of or exposure to these identities was limited at best. After graduating with a BA in psychology from Emory University in Atlanta, I moved to Austin in 2008 to attend the UT Austin School of Social Work. After graduating with my MSSW in 2010, I spent over a decade working in the foster care and adoption field before transitioning to more specific clinical work. My clinical experiences have included working in residential treatment for young children and teens in foster care, a central Texas non-profit focused on supporting children, youth and their caregivers impacted by complex trauma, and an Austin non-profit focused on supporting LGBTQIA2S+ children, youth, young adults and their loved ones.
In my free time, I throw balls for my rescue pup, hang out with my partner and friends, spend time in nature, practice yoga, go to local music shows, zone out to tv shows, and play the occasional video game or DnD. I also have a love of learning and am frequently participating in trainings or classes, not just relevant to therapy but other interests as well. I actually recently received my American Sign Language Studies Level 1 Certificate from Austin Community College (but this does not mean I am anywhere near fluent!). Supporting or being directly involved in community organizing is another thing I am passionate about and where I spend my time. Lastly, I find it helpful to sometimes to give a heads-up - my hair color can change frequently!