Our Therapists
Lake Travis Counseling Connection offers two levels of counseling services.
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Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC)
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Licensed Professional Counselor Associate (LPC Associate)
Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) Associates have completed their masters’ degrees and are working towards full licensure. The State of Texas requires graduates log 3000 hours before they can operate independently, regardless of prior counseling experience, training, or in-service hours they may have obtained under other licensures. The associates practicing at Lake Travis Counseling Connection each have additional training and work histories that complement their graduate degrees.
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Jan C. Shope, MA, LPC-S
Clinical Supervisor/Owner of Lake Travis Counseling Connection
I have been a practicing therapist for over 20 years and have been in private practice in Lakeway for the last 11 years. I obtained my master's degree from Texas State University. My areas of expertise are anxiety, depression, trauma, grief and loss, life transitions, couples dealing with conflict, separation, divorce, and parenting issues. I specialize in individuals, couples, and family psychotherapy.
I am a practical, interactive, solution-focused and client-centered therapist. My treatment approach is collaborative in nature and aimed at providing support and sometimes practical feedback to help clients resolve current problems and long-standing patterns. I incorporate a blend of conventional and creative approaches, drawing upon a variety of styles and techniques to incorporate what will be most helpful for each client. With sensitivity and compassion, and considering each person’s unique personality and style, I aim to help them explore and build on their strengths, embracing their authenticity, to achieve their life goals. I genuinely feel honored to “walk” with my clients as they bravely face difficult areas of their lives and relationships.
I became a licensed Supervisor as a way of giving back. I wanted to be able to offer postgraduate LPC-Associates in Texas a setting that allowed me to be hands-on with them. This small private practice gives them the space to hone their unique skills, and allows them to see first hand the ins and outs of private practice from both a therapeutic and small business perspective.
Hope Risher, M.S., LPC
“I am not what happened to me, I am what I choose to become.” – Carl Jung
It takes an incredible amount of courage to realize and decide to positively change your life, and even more so to include someone in that intimate journey of fulfillment. Whether it be a small, specific area of your life, or a major change, it is my honor as a therapist to be included in your journey.
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My therapy style is the humanistic approach to therapy, which provides positive support and objective reflections while the client explores what they want in therapy – YOU are the expert of your life. I am trained in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) as well as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). Acceptance and Commitment Therapy focuses on identifying values we hold dear in our lives and making concrete efforts to work towards those values. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy helps us understand our thought patterns that may be blocking our path towards positive change, and how to alter them to serve our journey.
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I specialize in eating disorders, depression, and anxiety. I received a Bachelor of Arts degree majoring in Music with a Psychology minor from Oklahoma City University, and a Master of Science degree in Counseling Psychology from the University of Kansas.
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Additional Training:
2023: Discernment Counseling Training: Discernment counseling is a specialized form of counseling that aims to help couples gain clarity and confidence in their decision-making process when they are considering divorce but are not completely sure whether to pursue it.
We are pleased to announce that our therapist, Hope, will be transitioning to our new location in San Antonio.
While Hope will continue to provide virtual therapy sessions for our Lake Travis clients, all new in-person appointments with Hope will now be conducted in San Antonio.
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Allyson Lane, M.S.,
LPC Associate
Seeking relief, healing, clarity, or connection is what most often sends clients looking for a therapist. And for good reason—these are needs that make it hard to function and thrive when they’re not being met. My goal is to create a collaborative, supportive environment where together we can attend to these needs without distraction or judgment and can build skills to help fill those needs in the future.
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Positive and productive time as a counseling client myself, as well as diverse family, life, and work experiences inform my approach. I am often guided by principles of Solution-Focused and Acceptance and Commitment Therapies, but ultimately for me, I am most focused on building a therapist-client relationship based on trust and authenticity.
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I received a Bachelor of Arts in Communications from Trinity University in San Antonio, Texas, and a Master of Science in Professional Counseling with an Emphasis in Marriage and Family Therapy from Grand Canyon University. I live in the Lake Travis area with my husband and two children. I am supervised by Jan C. Shope, M.A., LPC-S.
Grace Turner, M.S.,
LPC Associate
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Life often consists of choices, questions, decisions, challenges, progress, and achievement. While it would be ideal to travel through life without the need of any assistance, sometimes the complexity we find ourselves facing can be challenging in an emotional, physical, and/or mental sense. My goal is to assist you in your journey of life, whether that be to uncover unknown strengths, work through hardships, make steps towards short-term or long-term goals, or to simply understand yourself and the world around you. I aim to develop a safe, supportive, and comfortable space in which a collaborative relationship can be formed.
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My style of therapy includes humanistic and existential theories in a person-centered setting. This means I believe that every human has the freedom and responsibility to control their lives and make the choices necessary to discover their authentic selves. Being present, empathetic, and open-minded when engaging with my clients is of high importance. I also use cognitive-behavioral modalities. Understanding your thoughts, emotions, and behaviors in both a past and present sense is beneficial in working towards your future self. Always remember that you are the expert of your mind, in both therapy and life.
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I received a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and Criminology from Heidelberg University in Tiffin, Ohio and a Master of Science in Clinical Psychology from Millersville University in Millersville, Pennsylvania. I am supervised by Jan C. Shope, M.A., LPC-S.
Kira Thurston, M.A.Ed.,
LPC Associate
Taking the first step in searching for a counselor can be one of the most challenging aspects of therapy. Whether you are here to find a counselor for yourself or your child, welcome. As your future therapist, it is my goal to create a safe and comfortable environment for you to explore your most authentic self. I bring a warm and gentle approach to counseling and believe that each client is the expert on themself and their life. No two people are exactly the same, and I strive to help my clients better understand their unique needs, wants, and dreams and how to best communicate and work towards them.
While I use therapy techniques from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy,
Narrative Therapy, and Existential Therapy, my overarching theoretical orientation is a client-centered approach. I specialize in working with children and young adults, but am open to working with any age. If my style of counseling speaks to you I urge you to reach out to see if we would be a good fit. If you decide to pursue counseling with me, I would be honored to begin working towards your goals with you.
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I received a Bachelor of Arts from Miami University in Psychology and Social Justice Studies and a Master of Education in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Seattle University. I am supervised by Jan C. Shope, M.A., LPC-S.
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Utkala Maringanti
LMFT Associate
Choosing a therapist can feel overwhelming. It's essential to find something you can connect with and feel comfortable sharing your innermost thoughts and feelings with. I understand the challenge, and my goal is to make this decision a bit easier for you. While I incorporate humor into my approach, I take therapy seriously and believe in it's transformative power. I'm here to support you through this important journey and would be honored to work with you.
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As a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapy Associate, I am direct, supportive, and focused on getting to the heart of the issues rather than just staying at the surface. I am invested in your journey towards creating successful and fulfilling relationships. ​
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I am drawn to a range of modalities, including Sex Therapy, Internal Family Systems (IFS), Emotionally Focused Therapy, Narrative Therapy, and Mindfulness. However, I recognize that each client's journey is unique, and I collaborate with them to determine the most suitable approach. I believe in non-pathologizing approach to therapy, viewing symptoms as adaptive responses rather than inherent flaws. Our minds and bodies develop these responses as a means of self-protection. Even the parts of ourselves that cause distress or interfere with relationships are ultimately attempting to safeguard us.
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As a multicultural therapist, I honor diversity and tailor my approach to meet the individual needs of each client. I am committed to creating a safe and validating space where you feel supported and empowered. I firmly believe in your resilience and am dedicated to helping you navigate your path toward healing and growth.