Meet Alicia
Hi everyone! My name is Alicia LaTraille and I am so excited to have joined GT Therapy! I’m originally from Minnesota and grew up with my mom, dad, younger brother, and all our wonderful animals we’ve been lucky to have over the years. Ever since I can remember, my friends would come to me for advice, conflict resolution, or to hold a safe space to listen as they shared their thoughts and feelings. I was often told from an early age, “You should be a therapist when you grow up.” I took that message to heart and it has guided me to where I am today.
I attended Iowa State University and received my bachelor’s degree in psychology. It was while I was in school that I began working my first job in the field. I worked with juvenile sexual offenders and went on after graduation to work with adolescents with eating disorders, anxiety, and depression. I knew after working with these two populations that I would continue my pursuits to become a therapist, so I headed back to school to attend a graduate program. During graduate school at Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota, I had the opportunity to work with couples, families, young adults, and young children. After completing graduate school and being a Midwest girl all of my life, my boyfriend at the time (now fiancé) and I decided we wanted to explore more of what life and this world has to offer. We took a leap of faith and moved to Austin, Texas! When I came to Austin I began working as a registered behavior therapist doing applied behavior analysis (ABA) for young children with autism at a local center in Austin. I continue to enjoy part-time work providing ABA, as well as a position as an interim preschool teacher at the same place. I love getting to teach and work with the little ones! I have always been a kid at heart and find it is an attribute that helps me to build relationships with kids and teens and gives them a sense of comfort and confidence that they are safe to take new steps and directions in life with me right there beside them.
It’s an honor and privilege when people come to me and feel comfortable and safe sharing what is going on in their lives. I believe that the space we share is sacred and it’s important to build a relationship from the ground up so each individual can be their raw and genuine selves. When I work with families, I use that same approach in seeing and being with each part of the greater whole and making a bridge for deeper connections and trust to develop within the system. Safety and comfort is paramount to me. I want my clients to feel they can be their truest selves and that they have a partner to help them work towards their goals and desires.
Some other things that make me who I am:
I’m a dog mom to the cutest German Shepard named Barrett (who we call bear because he looked like a bear cub when he was a puppy), I am an avid Pinterest-er where I like to dream up every single room in my future home, a coffee enthusiast, a self-proclaimed chef, someone who loves dad jokes, being outdoors, doing yoga, reading romantic comedies and thrillers, and can proudly recite every word from every episode of FRIENDS.
Thank you so much for taking the time to learn a little bit about me, I hope I get the honor to learn about you and create a safe space for you to prosper.