Dawn Feldpausch, LCSW

Meet Alex Starmer, LMHC, your friendly mental health counselor here at Talkiatry. She's not just a counselor; she's your partner on your mental health journey. Alex earned her Master of Science in Mental Health Counseling from Syracuse University in 2020 and has been in the field since January 2021, working closely with clients facing mental health and substance use challenges. Alex believes in the power of the mind-body connection, and she loves to share polyvagal exercises and mindfulness techniques to help you better understand yourself. She's always learning and growing, with ongoing training in Internal Family Systems (IFS) and eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR). Her go-to tools for therapy are Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). With her, you can expect a compassionate and comprehensive approach to your mental well-being. You're in good hands with Alex.‍

Katherine Strasburger, LCSW, grew up in Colorado and moved to Waco in 2013 to attend Baylor University, where she later earned her MSW. She has extensive experience supporting children and adolescents ages 4–19, as well as their caregivers, across juvenile detention, PK–12 schools, and homeless outreach. She is completing full EMDR training and holds ADHD certification. Kat enjoys integrating nutrition-focused psychoeducation and creative expression through play and art-based strategies. She is also training her dog, Odin, for Therapy Dog certification.

Kat recognizes the stigma surrounding mental health and views seeking therapy as an act of resilience. She creates a safe, comfortable, and nonjudgmental space where clients can be themselves. She values autonomy, supports increased self-awareness, and genuinely celebrates each client’s progress and healing.

Kat begins by building rapport and gaining a thorough understanding of each client’s history, concerns, and goals. She collaborates with clients to create individualized treatment plans that reflect their needs and priorities. She feels honored to walk alongside clients as they grow, heal, and build skills for lasting well-being.

Ernest Smith, LPC, specializes in supporting adolescents, young adults, adults, and older adults as they navigate grief, anxiety, depression, trauma, and life transitions. With a compassionate and client-centered approach, he creates a safe, nonjudgmental space for individuals to explore their experiences and build the skills necessary for healing, growth, and resilience.

Ernest draws from a range of evidence-based modalities—including solution-focused therapy, person-centered therapy, cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT). He tailors each session to meet the unique needs of his clients, whether helping adolescents manage emotional regulation and identity development or supporting older adults in coping with grief and life changes.

Ernest provides trauma-informed care and recovery-focused strategies that foster emotional safety, self-awareness, and long-term well-being. His goal is to walk alongside each person with empathy, understanding, and practical tools that promote lasting change and inner strength.

Vincent is a licensed professional counselor who has earned his full licensure from the State of Texas. Vincent earned his bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice with a Minor in History from the University of Texas at San Antonio. He earned his Master of Arts in Counseling and Guidance from Texas A&M San Antonio. Vincent's counseling approach is eclectic, utilizing various modalities including, but not limited to Gestalt, Reality, Narrative, and Solution focused therapy. He is devoted to empowering individuals to free themselves from the excessive burdens of life by a remorseless society. He encourages you to become genuinely free and absolutely understand that you are the master of your own destiny. Vincent's treatment specialties and experience include working with adults, seniors, and adolescents from diverse populations and cultures. Whose suffering included, but not limited to anger, depression, career dilemmas, anxiety, stress, marital problems, collegiate status, self-esteem, family issues, as well as other unforeseen predicaments life unveils. Vincent uses these modalities in a holistic approach assessing clients within their culture, environment, community, and family system to gain a better insight into your distinctive reality. This holistic approach allows us to work together and tailor therapy to your needs. Allowing our collaboration to address the root causes of your current state of wellbeing. Our sessions, along with my education, background, and extensive life experience, have given me a reinforced foundation to assist you in facing the harsh realities of the world. Vincent will inspire you to live your life to its fullest without regret and create healthy tools of positive armor that will guide you eternally. Vincent's platform of therapy will fortify your weaknesses, enhance your strengths, and alleviate your fears where your voice is amplified and capable of surviving the vile discernment of others.

Anita Green is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor who has worked directly with clients of various demographics and has a variety of mental health challenges. Anita graduated from Texas Wesleyan University in 2014 with a 3.8 GPA in Counseling. She also had the pleasure of studying abroad in Australia and China. Anita has been practicing as a LPC since 2023, focusing on substance abuse disorders and mood disorders that have a direct impact on everyday life. When working with Anita, her treatment will be tailored to the needs of the individual and their struggles. She uses foundational Interventions, including Addiction Counseling, CBT, DBT, ACT, EMDR, Empathy Active Listening, Crisis Intervention, Client Assessment, Therapeutic Boundaries, Self-Care Practices, and Multicultural Competence. Let's take this journey together.

LMHCNudedrose Guirand, also known as Rose Guirand, is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor in New York City who has been practicing since 2017. Rose has worked directly with clients of various demographics such as people with disabilities and neurodivergent people living with a variety of mental health conditions for 6 years. She graduated with a Master of Science in Education, Mental Health Counseling at Hunter College of The City University of New York. During her studies, she attended an internship at Boston Road Medical Center, Psychiatry Department in Bronx, New York. Rose's central approach to therapy is eclectic and based on the needs of each client. She frequently uses person-centered, Strength-based, and collaborative therapy. Also, she enjoys using CBT, ACT and DBT which draw upon the whole person and their intrinsic qualities and talents to forge a thriving way of life. Essentially, Rose likes to empower clients to find their passion and set their goals not only to survive but also to thrive in life. Rose enjoys helping people on their journey and sees the rewards of clients winning themselves back. Rose's work as a therapist comes from the heart and holistic space, and being there for her clients truthfully and inspiring them to become the expert of their lives.