Skip to main content

Kristina Vaughan, LCSW

Staff Therapist
Languages
English
SPECIALTIES
Talk Therapy

Education and training

  • University of Houston-Graduate College of Social Work Master of Social Work (MSW)

Get to know

Kristina Vaughan, LCSW

Kristina Vaughan, LCSW, is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker based in Houston, Texas. With over six years of experience as a dedicated social worker and more than two years as a practicing therapist, Kristina brings both compassion and expertise to her work. She earned her Master’s Degree in Social Work from the University of Houston in 2016.

 Kristina specializes in Bipolar Disorder and impulse control disorders. She is known for her empathetic yet direct approach, working collaboratively with clients to identify and prioritize their most pressing needs. Her therapeutic style is eclectic, drawing from a range of evidence-based modalities including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Narrative Therapy, and Brainspotting.

Conditions Treated: Bipolar Disorder, Depression, Anxiety, PTSD, and Grief.

If you feel like you've been watching your life unfold from the sidelines instead of taking the lead as its storyteller, Kristina may be the right therapist to help you reclaim your narrative

Get matched with a clinician like this one

Ready to book your first appointment? Take our 10-minute assessment. We’ll match you with a clinician who meets your needs, has availability, and takes your insurance.

Get started
More Clinicians

Audrey O'Neal, LPC

Staff Therapist

Audrey O'Neal is a licensed mental health counselor who works with adults. She has a variety of specialties including anxiety, depression, stress management, life transitions, goal attainment, grief and loss, and relationships. Her focus is on delivering patient centered care and holds a Master of Science in Mental Health Counseling from Walden University and is a Doctor of Clinical Psychology candidate at California Southern University.  

Audrey O'Neal Her approach is characterized by warmth and empathy, and she employs techniques such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Solution Focused Therapy (SFT), Psychodynamic therapy, and Mindfulness based therapy as well as hypnotherapy to empower clients with coping strategies and help them reach their personal objectives.

Audrey O'Neal is committed to fostering a therapeutic alliance that supports, validates, and inspires personal growth. She uses a variety of innovative modalities such as hypnotherapy, mindfulness, solution-focused therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, psychodynamic therapy to help foster change, explore the root causes of limiting beliefs and problems, and empower her clients.

Michelle Shya, LCSW

Staff Licensed Clinical Social Worker

Michelle Shya, Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) at Talkiatry, has provided care in the field for almost a decade. Working with individuals and families, she has connected and fostered ties with a broad spectrum of clients, including adolescent, adult, and geriatric services. Michelle's practice style centers on providing a safe and understanding space for clients to share, learn, identify, and address their unique therapeutic needs. Using cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), Michelle focuses on the relationships between thoughts, emotions, and behaviors to assist the client in discovering their personal strengths and motivation to realize their individual life goals. Michelle completed her undergraduate Social Work education at Millersville University. Later at Marywood University, she earned her Master's in Social Work, with a specialization in Child and Family Practice. Michelle has had a wide variety of experiences working as a Social Worker in therapeutic and social service settings. She has provided case management and therapeutic care in domestic violence shelters, treatment foster care, community organizations, and hospice in-home support. In Michelle's experience in providing therapy, she has maintained a generalist practice, working with a variety of individuals facing personal barriers and challenges. By taking a step-by-step therapeutic approach, the client is able to better understand and process their thoughts as well as feelings to drive actionable change.

Rebecca Burns, LCSW

Staff Licensed Clinical Social Worker

Rebecca Burns is a licensed clinical social worker with a vast range of experience working in the mental health field. Rebecca has worked directly with individuals of various backgrounds and age ranges. Rebecca attended Fordham University for her Bachelor's degree and attended Rutgers University where she received her MSW. To date, Rebecca has been practicing for 4 years as a clinical social worker in an outpatient setting. Over the years, Rebecca has worked with diverse clients seeking relief from a wide range of symptoms, including anxiety, depression, OCD, childhood/adult trauma, relationship issues, personality disorders, life transitions, stress, and navigating loss and grief. Rebecca is trained and certified in cognitive-based therapies, including CBT and TF-CBT. Practicing from a biopsychosocial lens, Rebecca integrates evidence-based treatments, including Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT), and Strengths-Based Approaches to individualize treatment plans for each client. It is an important aspect of treatment to identify which approaches and interventions work best for each client's unique needs. Additionally, one of Rebecca's biggest priorities is to create the space for each client to build a trusting, non-judgmental and therapeutic relationship.

Emily Romeo, LPC

Staff Licensed Professional Counselor

Emily Romeo, LPC holds a license as a professional counselor in the state of Pennsylvania. She has over 15 years of experience working with a broad range of individuals at varying levels of care and clinical severity. Emily is board-certified in clinical mental health counseling by the National Board for Certified Counselors. Emily approaches therapy in an integrative, client-centered manner. She implements a variety of therapeutic techniques to include mindfulness, dialectical behavioral, acceptance and commitment concepts, psychoeducation, and trauma-informed care. She values the therapeutic relationship and strives to provide a safe, accepting atmosphere to ensure her clients feel heard, validated, and empowered. Emily received her master's degree from Messiah College and her undergraduate work was completed at the Pennsylvania State University. Emily has provided clinical care to a variety of individuals ranging from those struggling with complex trauma and substance use disorders to children/adolescents/adults dealing with anxiety, depression, mood instability and adjustment difficulties related to life changes. She has expertise in a variety of counseling settings including outpatient, partial hospitalization, residential, and in-home. She utilizes multiple treatment modalities which include individual, group, and couples/family therapy. An area of interest for Emily includes working with young adults struggling with co-occurring disorders. As the clinical coordinator of Silvermist Recovery, a premier residential treatment facility, she has been able to expand her clinical skills. Her philosophy is based on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), a transdiagnostic model that allows her to provide high quality care to her patients.

Irene Rodriguez, LPC

Staff Therapist

Irene Rodriguez, LPC, has over six years of experience as a therapist in outpatient settings and has also worked as a high school counselor. She has supported adults from diverse backgrounds and is bilingual in English and Spanish. Irene earned her Master’s in Education with a counseling certification from the University of Texas at El Paso and completed her PhD in Clinical Psychology from Walden University, including internships at Texas Tech University Health Science Center and Ben Archer Clinic.

Irene values open communication and clarity, ensuring clients know what to expect in each session. She creates a welcoming, safe, and nonjudgmental space where clients feel seen and heard. She uses an eclectic approach, drawing from CBT, mindfulness, and psychodynamic techniques, tailoring interventions to each client’s unique needs.

In the initial session, Irene discusses the client’s background, concerns, and goals. She collaborates with clients to develop and adjust treatment plans, blending their personal insights with her clinical expertise. Her approach emphasizes partnership, practical tools, and ongoing support to help clients achieve meaningful growth.

Yvette Ramirez, LPC

Staff Therapist

Yvette Ramirez is a Licensed Professional Counselor with over a decade of experience providing care to individuals, couples, and families. She began her career working in-home with patients to build understanding around diagnosis, symptoms, and medication adherence. She later transitioned to integrated care, using solution-focused therapy for clients with co-occurring medical and mental health conditions. Yvette is trained in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Cognitive Processing Therapy, and Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR), and has provided trauma-informed care across various populations, including children, adolescents, and teenagers.

Yvette offers a compassionate, supportive space where patients feel heard, safe, and respected. She integrates EMDR and trauma-focused CBT to help adolescents, teenagers, and adults process trauma and enhance well-being. Her creative use of play, art, and narrative therapy fosters emotional expression in younger clients. She has experience supporting LGBTQ+ individuals and families navigating identity and relationship concerns. Patients can expect open communication and collaborative goal setting throughout their journey.

Yvette begins treatment by learning about the patient’s concerns and sharing the therapies she offers. By the second session, she works collaboratively with patients to create personalized treatment goals. From the third session onward, sessions focus on progress, practical tools, and check-ins to reinforce healing. Every step of care is structured, collaborative, and empowering.

Ready to get matched?

Start our short assessment
Specialties
Talk Therapy
States
Texas
Languages
English
Takes insurance
Virtual visits
years experience