ANA ARELLANO (she/her)

LPC, LCDC | Board President

Ana Arellano, LPC, LCDC, is a Texas licensed mental health counselor, trauma specialist, advocate for the arts and an active team member of the Texas Counseling Association.  Her community leadership is featured in Voyage Magazine’s “Local Businesses and Creatives You Should Know". She owns and operates Red Apple Therapy, PLLC, a group practice of seven mental health clinicians providing in person and remotely for Texas Residents.  Her practice specializes in treating trauma using EMDR, DBT, and cognitive-based Mindfulness Meditation. She is ranked among “Best Therapists in Austin, TX” by OnlineTherapy.com.

NICOLE LAPPIN (she/her)

Executive Board Member

Nicole is a healthcare executive with over a decade of combined experience in clinical mental healthcare, healthcare business development, implementation, operations, and strategy. Her personal and professional passion lies in the study of human connection, and helping others to

maximize life satisfaction at home and in the workplace.

Nicole received her clinical training at the Center on Halsted in Chicago, IL – the Midwest’s most comprehensive LGBTQ community center. In addition, she has training and experience in substance use treatment counseling, trauma informed care, and corrections rehabilitation

therapy. Nicole is passionate about health equity, supportive of Austin’s entertainment community, and is excited to utilize her clinical experience and knowledge of the healthcare system to better serve creatives in the industry.

DANIEL HATCHER (they/them)

Executive Board Member

Daniel Hatcher (they/them) is originally from Pensacola, Florida and has lived in the state of Texas since 2016. For the last 6 years, Daniel has been working with individuals with substance use issues in the treatment and recovery residence settings. They are currently working as the Program Director of a Recovery Community Organization in Austin, Texas called RecoveryATX. The agency works with individuals experiencing a substance use issues as well as individuals experiencing homelessness.

Daniel has been a fierce grassroots organizer and advocate working with the Recovery Advocacy Project of Texas. They have also worked with the national Recovery Advocacy Project. Daniel strives to be an agent of change in building more recovery ready environments through policy change.

In addition to Daniel’s work within the recovery community, they are committed to reaching out to the LGBTQIA+ communities in an effort to help eliminate homophobia, transphobia, and heterosexism. Daniel is a drag artist who performs under the name Sapphyre Monroe-Fillups. Sapphyre has predominately performed at charity benefits which donate their proceeds to the betterment of the LGBTQIA+ recovery communities of Texas.

Daniel strives to live their life by five core principles; Unconditional Love, Limitless Compassion, Courageous Kindness, Selfless Service, & Absolute Integrity.

DEBORAH ESPINOSA (she/her)

Executive Board Member

Deborah Espinosa is an Austin based aerial performer and personal trainer at UT.  She has been in the nightlife entertainment industry performing for over 8 years and she is a proud member of the lgbtq community.  Deborah loves to share her passion for the aerial arts by teaching others, she currently coaches at Lache Movement Co. and Batcity.  Artists hold a special place in her heart, she wants to help other fellow performers find resources to help navigate and grow themselves and their careers in a demanding industry.

BRUCE GOLDEN (he/him)

Treasurer

Bruce has lived and worked in Austin his whole life. He graduated from Anderson High School in 1977 and the University of Texas in 1980 with a finance and management degree. He spent twelve years as the Chief Financial Officer for the New Balance & Karavel Shoe Stores in Austin and over twenty years in the accounting and financial service business.

Bruce is a dedicated and very active member of RotaryInternational, having served as club President from 2009-2010 and Governor from 2016 – 2017. His favorite area of service is literacy and education. 

Bruce and his wife, Sharon (also a UT grad) have been married for 37 years. They both enjoy travel, attending UT baseball and football games and supporting UT’s Bass Concert Hall. Bruce and Sharon have two children, Bryan is currently employed with the City of Austin as a senior Urban Planner. Rebecca is the casting agent for a TV & film company here in Austin.

Bruce has served on various community boards including treasurer for the American Heart Association, VP of the Young Men’s Business League, VP for Jewish Community Center of Austin, Co-Founder of Kavod, (a family support group for the Alzheimer’s Association), financial advisor for the Sigma Alpha Mu fraternity and on the finance committee with the Women’s Storybook Project.

MARY

I am a person centered therapist who strives to empower my clients to be their best selves. I have worked as a social worker for nine years in various environments providing my clients individualized services. I use my therapeutic relationship, mostly focused in cognitive behavioral practices and psychodynamic theory to provide in-depth assessment and assist clients in creating their treatment plan. I seek to provide both crisis intervention and ongoing support for my clients as they put in the work to lead more self actualized existences.

LAURIE

Pronouns: she/her

I am an LPC and LCDC. My current passions lie in providing accessible mental health services to those who need it, especially to those who are homeless and those experiencing domestic violence and sexual assault. I also serve Art Spark, an organization dedicated to helping those with disabilities, physical, mental, or otherwise, find empowerment through art. I enjoy reading, crochet, and annoying my husband. 

FAITH

Pronouns: she/her

I served over 14 years in the United States Army as a Combat Medic with three combat tours. I have gained experience working with both individual and their families on a vast array of life issues. While in the military I served as an advocate for sexual assault survivors and domestic abuse. After the military Iearned a Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at St. Mary’s University in San Antonio, Texas and currently pursuing national certification as an AASECT Sex Therapist and a Licensed Professional Counselor in the state of Texas (License #210-414-5813 as well as a National Certified Counselor (NCC).

I bring the knowledge and experience gained throughout my military career, collegiate studies, and current professional life to my passion as a therapist. I have experience as a facilitator of psycho-educational and process groups, as well as young adult and adult individual 210-414-5813 and couples. In working with trauma, I work with my clients to address issues such as traumatic events, childhood and adult abuse/assault survivors, military combat experiences and other post- traumatic stress related issues. Helping others see there is life after trauma by building on personal strength and ability to cope while in a supportive and safe environment.

I believe in meeting you where you are in your healing process as seeking support can be difficult and uncomfortable no matter the situation.

Relationships, with self and/or others can have some of the most profound impacts on one’s quality of life. I like to focus on navigating the ‘stuck spots’ in a supportive and open-minded setting to encourage healing while reaching personal/relationship goals. I focus my work on those experiencing anxiety, depression, PTSD, sexual assault survivors, sex related issues and LGBTQIA+ community.

Clinical theories of choice: Solution Focused Therapy, Narrative Therapy, Mindfulness, and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy.