
About Us
Located in the Pflugerville, just north of Austin, Ampersand Counseling is proud to serve the Central Texas community in person and Texans across the state virtually. We provide compassionate, effective, and high-quality care for individuals, couples, teens, and families.
Our amazing therapists are ready to help you navigate life’s challenges, identify solutions for growth, and create the change you wish to see in your life. Our goal is for you to thrive! Our diverse team of therapists live here in our community. They're real people who share your values and lived experiences. Our team is encouraged to be their unique, quirky, wonderful selves. Why? Because it’s only by “being real” with each other that a true connection is made & change can happen.
Meet the Team
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Fabeain Barkwell, LCSW
CLINIC DIRECTOR
Currently Accepting New Individual Clients ages 13+
Fabeain (he/him) is our passionate & fearless Clinic Director. He’s a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with a Master’s degree from the University of Houston and an undergraduate degree from Morehouse. With 13 years of experience working in the mental health field, Fabeain has assisted individual clients, from children through seniors, in identifying strengths and coping skills. He’s worked in numerous settings, including juvenile justice, substance abuse, inpatient, partial hospitalization, and intensive outpatient. No matter your concerns or fears about therapy, Fabeain will ensure you are provided with the non-judgmental care you deserve. You can be sure you will have individualized, compassionate counseling services that meet you where you are in your healing journey. Outside of work, Fabeain can be found relaxing with friends and family, trying out new recipes and cuisines.
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Amanda Vasquez, LCSW-S
THERAPIST & SUPERVISOR
Currently Accepting New Individual Clients ages 18+
Amanda (she/her) is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with 25+ years of mental health experience in various settings such as hospitals, clinics, and non-profits with both children and adults. Amanda loves to laugh, and is easy-going, friendly and collaborative in her approach. She loves working with families & individuals (ages 6-99) and has experience with both play & sand tray therapy. Amanda is committed to providing a safe, warm environment for clients to explore their unique experiences and any ineffective behaviors or beliefs, identify their unique therapeutic goals, and navigate towards holistic changes. Amanda enjoys her family, paddle boarding, sports, pool time, reading, exercise, and kung fu movies.
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Bethany Brazzell, LMSW
ASSOCIATE THERAPIST
Supervised by Ruth Clark, LCSW-S
Currently Accepting New Individual Clients ages 10+
Bethany (she/her) is a Licensed Master Social Worker dedicated to ending the stigma of mental health. She earned her Master’s Degree in Social Work from Western Kentucky University. Bethany strives to create a safe and judgement free space for her clients in order to foster self-acceptance and personal growth. She is passionate about providing care for adolescents and adults, and has a special interest in LQBTQ+ issues, women’s issues, anxiety, borderline personality disorder, grief and loss, emotional regulation, and mindfulness. Outside of work, Bethany is a big fan of her dogs, her husband, British television, and horror movies.
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Carlos Pavón, LMSW
ASSOCIATE THERAPIST
Supervised by Arlene Montgomery, LCSW-S
Currently Accepting New Families & Individual Clients ages 10+
Carlos (he/him) is a Licensed Master Social Worker who studied at the University of Texas at Austin. His experience working in inpatient and outpatient settings with adult and adolescent populations has helped inform his systems-based approach to therapy. Having experience in various modalities as well as being EMDR trained, Carlos has worked with individuals facing various mental health concerns, such as depression, anxiety, trauma, and other behavioral challenges. Carlos hopes to utilize his lived experiences and knowledge to help others navigate and overcome their challenges, with an added interest in bridging cultural gaps as a bilingual mental health provider.
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Courtney Longway, LPC
THERAPIST
Currently Not Accepting New Clients
Courtney (she/her) is a Licensed Professional Counselor. She earned her master’s degree in counselor education from Texas Tech University. Courtney enjoys working with a variety of ages from children (8+) to older adults. She has experience with a range of issues including anxiety, OCD, stress, relationships, and grief to name a few. Courtney hopes to provide a safe place for healing and support along your journey to reach your goals. She wants you to know you aren’t alone in the struggles you face and reaching out for support shows strength. Courtney loves to laugh and is always down for a movie.
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Emily Ough, LMSW
ASSOCIATE THERAPIST
Supervised by Amanda Vasquez, LCSW-S
Currently Accepting New Individual Clients ages 12+
Emily (she/her) is a Licensed Master Social Worker with her graduate degree from Baylor University & her undergraduate degree from UT Austin. She sees individual clients age 12+ and truly loves working with teens and young adults. Emily supports clients who are navigating anxiety, depression, life transitions, and relationship challenges through a collaborative and compassionate approach. She integrates cognitive behavioral strategies, mindfulness, and many other therapeutic modalities through a neurodiversity-affirming lens in order to create a safe and empowering space for growth. Emily is passionate about making therapy approachable by using warmth, humor, and honesty to foster connection. Outside of work, she enjoys playing video games, doing arts and crafts, and spending time with friends and family.
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Kasandra Brown, LPC
THERAPIST
Currently Accepting New Families, Couples & Individual Clients ages 10+
Kasandra (she/her) is a Licensed Professional Counselor who holds Master of Arts degrees in Psychology from both The Chicago School of Professional Psychology and Saybrook University. Empathetic and with unconditional positive regard, she seeks to guide her clients to a place of peace and healing. Kasandra works with clients ages 10+ and is passionate about working with adolescents and young adults. She specializes in a multitude of issues including trauma, depression, anxiety, grief, and relationships. Kasandra utilizes a holistic approach that fits each client’s unique set of needs and therapeutic goals. When not working, she can be found traveling or dancing.
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Kristen Pipes, LPC-Associate
ASSOCIATE THERAPIST
Supervised by Robert Gallegos, LPC-S
Currently Accepting New Individual Clients ages 19+
Kristen (she/her) is a Licensed Professional Counselor-Associate (LPC-A) under the supervision of Robert Gallegos, LPC-Supervisor. She holds a master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor in Temple. Kristen is dedicated to providing care to adolescents & adults for an array of issues including depression, anxiety, relationships, life transitions, trauma, grief, and stress. Believing the mind and body are strongly connected, her passion is empowering clients to grow into the healthiest version of themselves. Outside of work, Kristen enjoys playing video games and watching a movie with her husband and four cats.
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Mark Abou-Rached, LPC-Associate
ASSOCIATE THERAPIST
Supervised by Robert Gallegos, LPC-S
Currently Accepting New Individual Clients ages 18+
Mark (he/him) is a Licensed Professional Counselor-Associate (LPC-A) under the supervision of Robert Gallegos, LPC-Supervisor. He holds a master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Adams State University. Mark prioritizes a strong therapeutic relationship with his clients in a non-judgmental and validating environment. He enjoys providing therapy to individuals (ages 18+), couples, families, and groups. Mark's specialties include treating issues involving self-esteem, relationship conflict, trauma, emotion regulation, depression, anxiety, body dysmorphia, and sports performance. Outside of work, he is a fitness enthusiast with a talent & passion for basketball.
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Michele Lake, LMSW
ASSOCIATE THERAPIST
Supervised by Emily Seales, LCSW-S
Currently Accepting New Couples & Individual Clients ages 16+
Michele (she/her) is a culturally-inclusive Licensed Master Social Worker who earned her master’s degree from Baylor University. Energetic and easy-going, she is passionate about supporting her clients in an encouraging and respectful environment. Michele specializes in trauma, anxiety, addiction, infidelity, life transitions, and professional stress. She utilizes multiple treatment modalities to understand her client’s unique situation and goals, and is open to helping clients explore how their faith and spirituality can contribute to their healing. When not working, Michele can be found at an exercise class, and listening to audiobooks and 90’s alternative music.
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Regina Housh, LPC-Associate
ASSOCIATE THERAPIST
Supervised by Marcelle Abusalbi, LPC-S
Currently Accepting New Families & Individual Clients ages 13+
Regina (she/her) is a Licensed Professional Counselor-Associate (LPC-A) under the supervision of Marcelle Abusalbi, LPC-Supervisor. She holds a Master’s in Counseling from St. Edward’s University. Regina is enthusiastic about working with both children ages 5+ and adults, and has experience with numerous concerns including anxiety, depression, trauma, self-esteem, and attachment related behaviors. She believes in providing a space that is full of support and patience to help her clients reach their goals at a pace that feels safe and secure for each individual. In her spare time, Regina enjoys spending time with her family & friends and baking from scratch.
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Taylor Morgan, LCSW
THERAPIST
Currently Not Accepting New Clients
Taylor (she/her) is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. She received her master’s degree in social work from the University of Texas at Austin. Taylor works with clients ages 12+ and particularly enjoys working with adolescents and young adults. She has experience treating mood disorders, personality disorders, trauma, and life transitions. Taylor’s therapeutic style is validating and accepting, and she utilizes a variety of treatment modalities tailored to each client. For fun, Taylor enjoys spending time with her cats, playing video games, and exploring internet rabbit holes.
Not Sure Who to Pick?
No Worries!
We’re here to help get you matched with one of our therapists based on your needs, availability, and insurance. Just click the Get Started button below to do just that…
Join Our Team!
If you’re a therapist, we’d love you to consider joining Ampersand Counseling. We’re always looking for passionate, exceptional & quirky therapists to join our team. We have full-time & part-time positions available. Email Fabeain Barkwell, Clinic Director, to learn more.
Your mental health journey starts here.
We would enjoy the opportunity to work with you. Please complete our New Client Contact Form to get started today. A member of our team will contact you within 24-48 hours to answer any questions you might have & schedule you with one of our therapists. If we’re not able to serve you, we’ll happily provide you with some external referrals.