About The Therapist

Mrs. Ryals is a native Austinite currently working in the Austin and Round Rock offices of The Adult, Child, and Family Counseling Center.  She is a Licensed Professional Counselor and Registered Art Therapist.

In 1996, Mrs. Ryals received her BFA from Jacksonville University in Florida where she then moved back home to attend St. Edward’s University to begin preparation for graduate school.  In 1999 she graduated from Lesley University in Cambridge, Massachusetts, where she received her MA in Art Therapy.

Quickly returning home to Texas, Mrs. Ryals began her career at The Brown Schools, working as a counselor for emotionally disturbed adolescents in residential care.  She then went onto further her experience, working with physically and emotionally disabled adults and children at the Marnie Paul Arts Center.  In her most rewarding work yet, Mrs. Ryals worked at the YWCA women’s counseling center, serving a specialized population of young girls.  Her work there is debuted in the PBS documentary Troop 1500 (1995).  Along the way, Mrs. Ryals has also been contracted by the Austin Independent School District to provide Art Therapy for emotionally disturbed elementary aged children and to present at various emotional growth workshops and lectures.

Mrs. Ryals’ passion and skill lie in working with women and adolescents. 

While Mrs. Ryals is trained as an Art Therapist, her work does not center around this approach.  She, most frequently, uses a variety of therapeutic interventions, some of these include, Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy, Brief Therapy, and Imago Therapy.  A true quote from Mrs. Ryals is  “…whatever it takes and whatever the client is willing to try!”

“I look forward to working with all ages, populations, and needs.  Everyone has a “story” and I feel honored to be, sometimes, the only individual they tell their story to… it’s such amazing work!”

Areas of specialty include:

                        Communication and Self Expression

                        Adoption/Foster Care

                        Self Esteem

                        Behavior Problems

                        Depression

                        Relationships

                        Conflict Resolution

                        Anxiety and Stress