Meet Riley Weeden: Attachment-Focused Therapist for Couples & Individuals in Austin

 

Meet Riley: Austin Individual & Couples Therapist

I’m so glad you’re here! My name is Riley Weeden, and I’m an individual and couples therapist at Austin Relational Wellness.

Relationships matter deeply to us, and they can also be where we feel the most confused, hurt, or stuck. Whether you’re struggling with your partner or feeling disconnected from yourself, as your therapist, our work together will focus on creating deeper understanding, emotional safety, and lasting connection.

My Background & Experience

I have had the privilege of working with children, adolescents, adults, families, and couples ranging in age from 6 to 75. Through this work with clients from diverse backgrounds, I discovered a particular passion for supporting individuals, couples, and families navigating complex trauma, attachment wounds, and experiences of disconnection.

To deepen my effectiveness in this work, I have completed training in Gottman Method Couples Therapy, Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and the treatment of eating disorders.

Why I Chose to Become an Individual & Couples Therapist

I became a therapist because I wanted to help people make sense of the pain and complexity that come with being human. I’ve always been drawn to vulnerability, both in myself and in others, and to the way it opens the door to deeper understanding and connection. While earning my degree in Behavioral Neuroscience, I was struck by the intricacy of the human mind: our capacity to feel deeply, think critically, and continually form new neural pathways. What impacted me most was learning how essential relationships are, not only for survival, but for meaning and fulfillment. This understanding led me to pursue a career in therapy, where I discovered that the most rewarding work centers on strengthening the ways we relate to ourselves and to others, fostering connection and creating lasting, meaningful relationships.

Education

I earned my Bachelor of Arts in Behavioral Neuroscience from the University of San Diego and went on to receive my Master of Arts in Mental Health Counseling from St. Edward’s University here in Austin, TX.

Who I Love to Work With in Therapy

I especially enjoy working with Austin individuals and couples who want to explore people-pleasing, perfectionism, anxiety, depression, neurodivergence, attachment wounds, eating disorders, and body image concerns. Many of my clients are highly attuned to the emotions of their partners, family members, and friends, yet find it difficult to connect with their own inner experiences. They often carry fears of being “too much” or worry about expressing their needs, while deeply longing for closeness, authenticity, and meaningful connection.

Outside of the Therapy Room

I’m a real person too. Outside of my practice, you’ll find me spending time with family and friends, reading my way through Reese’s Book Club picks, attending yoga classes, playing golf, and cuddling with my puppy, Nico.

Book Your Free Therapy Consult with Riley
 

Meet Kate Osis: Austin Couples Therapist | EFT & Trauma-Informed Care

 

Meet Kate: Austin Couples Therapist

Hi, I’m Kate! I’m a therapist who works with couples and individuals, and is passionate about the central role that relationships play in our lives. I believe we are designed for connection and belonging, and when we experience those, whether it's in a relationship, in our families, in friendships, or simply with ourselves, we can thrive. 

Credentials and Therapy Specializations

Since becoming a therapist, I have worked with clients from ages 4 to 63, and have experience with couples, adults, teens, and kiddos. I have training in Emotionally-Focused Therapy, Internal Family Systems, Somatic Experiencing, trauma-informed care, eating disorders, religious and spiritual counseling, and more. Most of my work as a couples therapist has centered around recovering from betrayal or feeling stuck in patterns of miscommunication and conflict. In individual therapy, I have experience working with complex trauma, anxiety, people-pleasing and perfectionism, low self-esteem, body image, and religious and spiritual challenges.

A fun fact is that I also spent a year training and working in play therapy and parent coaching, and although I no longer work in the playroom, I’m so grateful for the ways this deepened my work with all clients.

Journey to Becoming a Couples Therapist

Therapy is my second career. Prior to pursuing therapy, I was a consultant for the federal government in Washington, DC, advising government agencies on workforce strategy. There were things I loved about the job, but I knew it wasn’t my long-term career fit. I began to notice that the parts I loved most were people-oriented, such as building relationships with clients or mentoring junior employees. Outside of work, I realized I was spending my time mentoring, reading books by therapists, and listening to podcasts by therapists. I started to connect the dots and become interested in what this career could look like.

When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, and everyone’s lives were turned upside down, I decided it was time to make a change. After talking with clinicians in the field, and beginning my own therapy, I knew I wanted to work directly with people in this field, providing support and tools to help them pursue their goals and become healthier, more whole versions of themselves. 

Education and Training Background

For my counseling education, I went to the George Washington University in Washington, DC, and received my Masters in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. 

Prior to this, I received both my Masters in Public Policy and Leadership and my Bachelors in Spanish from the University of Virginia in Charlottesville, Virginia. 

Kate's Focus: Couples and Young Women

First, of course, are couples. I love working with couples who have gotten stuck in patterns of disconnection or feel distant from their partners, whether due to life demands, betrayal, or miscommunication. I believe healthy relationships are directly tied to our quality of life, and my hope is that all of my clients can feel seen, known, and cherished in their relationships.

Second, I love working with young women, and even older teens, who are navigating becoming who they want to be in all areas of their lives - friendships, career, relationships, family, etc. This is such a crucial developmental period, and I love to help clients feel empowered to build lives full of self-compassion, agency, and joy. 

Getting to Know Kate: An Austin Native

I’m a native Austinite who recently moved back to Austin, TX after living in the Washington, DC area for about 13 years. My husband is from Philadelphia, so I did marry into the Philly sports fandom - we love to watch the Eagles every weekend. My favorite forms of self-care are long walks listening to an audiobook and an early bedtime. I also could be classified as a “foodie,” and love trying new restaurants or recipes at home.

Book Your Free Therapy Consult with Kate
 

Meet Justine Hughes, Austin Therapist: Supporting Couples and Individuals

 

At Austin Relational Wellness, we’re proud to introduce Justine Hughes, one of our therapists dedicated to helping people cultivate stronger relationships and more meaningful lives. Justine works with both couples and individuals, creating a space where vulnerability, curiosity, and compassion open the door to connection and growth. Her work is rooted in the belief that relationships, with others and with ourselves, are powerful places for healing and transformation.

My Approach in the Therapy Room

I’m a therapist who works with both couples and individuals who are longing for deeper, more fulfilling relationships and lives. Over the years, I’ve had the privilege of sitting with people in many different seasons—when relationships feel conflict-ridden, when the spark seems to have faded, or when life has brought unexpected losses that shake the ground beneath them. My training is rooted in attachment-informed, psychodynamic, and experiential approaches, which means I pay close attention to emotions in the moment, look at relational patterns, and gently explore the unconscious ways our past might be shaping the present. I see therapy as a collaborative process where we identify the underlying sources of pain and move together toward growth, empowerment, and connection.

Why I Chose to Become a Therapist

I chose this work because I deeply believe in the power of relationships and that my natural gifts lie in connecting with others. So often, the places where we struggle the most are also where we long to feel safe, understood, and loved. Becoming a therapist felt like a natural path for me and the best use of my curiosity in others. I wanted to hold space for people when life feels overwhelming, confusing, or lonely. I know how transformative it can be when someone feels truly seen and supported, and I wanted to be that presence for others, just as my own therapists have been for me. I feel my experience first and foremost as a client of therapy provides me with both deeper insight and immense confidence in the power of this work. 

What I’m Passionate About in Therapy

What lights me up in the therapy room is witnessing people rediscover themselves and their connections. I love when a couple finds a new way to communicate that opens the door to intimacy, or when an individual begins to feel empowered in their own voice. Those moments of realization and reconnection, when clients can feel both safe and brave, are what I’m most passionate about. My role is to help tend to the tender places with compassion, so clients can move toward relationships and lives that feel more whole and alive.

Beyond the Therapy Space

Outside of therapy, I try to practice what I preach about connection and presence. Though sometimes that looks like deep conversations with friends, and other times it’s me binge-watching a new show, downing a burger. I love being outdoors, exploring new places, and laughing a lot (usually at my own jokes). I also find a lot of joy in slowing down, whether that’s with a good meal, a long walk, or simply doing nothing at all. Life can get heavy, so I make it a point to soak up the lighthearted, silly moments wherever I can and really enjoy my people! 

If you’re ready to take the next step toward healthier, more connected relationships, Justine is here to walk alongside you. Whether through couples therapy to rebuild intimacy or individual therapy to rediscover your own voice, she offers a supportive and empowering space for growth. Reach out to Austin Relational Wellness today to schedule with Justine Hughes and begin your path toward deeper connection and lasting change.

Justine Hughes, MA, LMFT Associate

Offering Couples Therapy and Individual Therapy in Austin, TX and Online to Texas residents!

Book with Justine
 

Meet Austin Couples Therapist Lauren Little

 

Tell us a little about your background as a therapist…

Hello there! My name is Lauren Little, and I am an Austin, TX-based Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) Associate seeing individuals, couples, and other relational units. As an Austin couples therapist, I work with a variety of clients and draw on my training in several therapeutic models, including Attachment Theory, Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), Gottman Method Couples Therapy, and Internal Family Systems (IFS). Additionally, I have received specific training in grief and loss, spiritual harm and religious trauma, and sex therapy. 

Why did you choose to become a therapist?

For the past decade, I have worked as a pediatric nurse caring for patients and their families facing chronic and terminal illnesses. My passion has always been to offer compassionate, holistic care. Over time, I found myself especially drawn to the mental health side of caring for others. My own experience in therapy has had a profound impact on me and ultimately inspired me to pursue graduate school. I went on to complete my Master’s in Counseling at Texas State University and pursued additional counseling training for couples therapy and other populations, further deepening my commitment to helping others on their healing journey.

What are you passionate about in the therapy room?

My training reflects the many passions that led me to become a therapist. As an Austin couples therapist, I am especially passionate about working with couples and individuals who seek deeper intimacy within their relationships and wish to overcome challenges in emotional and physical connection. I enjoy working with clients who desire a deeper understanding of themselves and their relationships with others.

Additionally, I am deeply committed to supporting clients who have experienced grief or loss, addressing the many aspects of life that can be impacted by these experiences. I am also particularly passionate about working with individuals who have experienced spiritual harm or religious abuse, helping them heal and rebuild a healthy sense of self.

In my work with individuals, I am dedicated to supporting those navigating life transitions, managing anxiety and depression, and those who may have experienced trauma or have developmental trauma histories.

Beyond the therapy space, what do you enjoy?

Outside of sessions, I cherish time with my husband and our baby girl. Together we love exploring Austin and find joy in the food and coffee scene. Catching live music or sitting down to a meal with family and friends are other favorite activities. If I’m not doing these things, I enjoy a good yoga flow, getting lost in a book, or finishing a sewing project. I am currently working on a quilt and learning how to two-step!

Looking for an Austin couples therapist or individual therapist? Reach out to Lauren to schedule a free 15-minute phone consult!

Contact Lauren