austingrief.org | Our Therapists

OUR THERAPISTS

NANCI SILVER-BOICE, M.Ed., M.A., LMFT-S, LPC-S
CLINICAL DIRECTOR

Nanci Silver-Boice (she/her/hers) has a wealth of experience, having worked as a licensed therapist since 2011. Her background includes extensive work in academic settings, private clinics, and non-profit organizations. Notably, she served as the lead counselor at a children's grief residential camp for six years, demonstrating her dedication to supporting individuals and families during challenging times. Outside of the counseling world, Nanci was also a licensed attorney, practicing in the state of Texas.

As an LPC-S and LMFT-S, Nanci brings a high level of expertise and is well-equipped to guide our clinical team. Her experience with children, couples, and families facing life changes due to chronic and terminal illnesses aligns seamlessly with our mission. Nanci has a commitment to compassionate care.

JOEY FECHTEL, NCC, LPC-Associate, THERAPIST
Supervised by JOE DIAS MEd, LPC-S

Joey Fechtel (he/him/his) was born and raised in Texas and recently graduated with his Master of Arts in Counseling from St. Edward's University. From his personal loss journey, Joey has felt the power of support when experiencing grief and loss. It is his privilege to be in the room working with folks finding their way along the difficult, transformative path of grief. Joey works with individuals of all ages and cherishes the different perspectives of people from all walks of life. In his spare time, Joey enjoys Science Fiction and Fantasy novels, cooking, playing guitar, hiking, biking, listening to all kinds of music, and hanging out with his two cats.

ELAINE DUNN, LCSW-S, THERAPIST

Elaine Dunn (she/her/hers) is a therapist with 14 years of professional practice working with adults, children, teens and families. Elaine started her journey with Austin Center for Grief & Loss as a support group volunteer, and after moving away, and then back to Austin, she’s found her way back this remarkable place of connection. Elaine approaches therapy with the goal of helping folks to be seen and heard in a safe space, while collaborating to see their strengths and build connections that will serve them throughout their journey. Elaine has experience working in community mental health, assisting with folks from diverse walks of life amidst of grief, loss and life transitions, managing mood disorders, post-traumatic

stress, anxiety disorders, acute stress and struggling with addiction. In addition to experience working with folks on their individual healing journey, Elaine has extensive experience leading therapeutic groups, and finds group work to be incredibly rewarding and connective. Elaine utilizes an eclectic mix of modalities to find the right fit for each person, and her experience includes cognitive behavioral therapy, dialectical behavioral therapy (including use of mindfulness), solution-focused, and she loves to practice and bring into therapy creative ways to process and integrate experiences. In her free time, Elaine loves running and hiking local Austin trails, listening to audio books, experimenting with new baking recipes, traveling and playing outdoors with her family.

JESSICA MARQUEZ, LCSW, THERAPIST

Jessica Marquez (she/her/hers) is a bilingual therapist with over 15 years of professional experience working with children, adults, and families. She has worked in public schools providing therapeutic support, resource referral, and educational advocacy for students. Additionally, Jessica has a background in leading psycho-educational groups for adults experiencing a substance abuse disorder. Jessica believes that each individual can empower themselves and take charge of their life path. She assists individuals to achieve self-empowerment by utilizing various therapeutic approaches such as trauma-informed interventions, Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT), Narrative Therapy, mindfulness, and strengths-based interventions. Jessica también trabaja con clientes que hablan español, especialmente clientes inmigrantes.

Originally from El Paso, Texas, Jessica has called Central Texas home since 2000. She enjoys going on nature walks and spending time with her friends and family.

LYNNE LEVINSON, MEd, LPC-S, THERAPIST

Lynne Levinson (she/her/hers) has been a licensed professional counselor since 1992. She came to The Austin Center for Grief & Loss in 2017 after over 20 years at the University of Texas at Austin where she was a career counselor, manager, and administrator. Prior to that, she was in private practice where she specialized in trauma counseling and couples counseling. Lynne is a certified EMDR therapist. While she has been trained in many counseling modalities, she primarily utilizes EMDR and Somatic Experiencing to support adults experiencing trauma, grief and loss. Like many counselors who are drawn to grief counseling, Lynne came to this work through her own personal experiences of loss, including sudden death loss, expected death loss, as well as job loss. She recognizes that many of us seek not only empathy but also guidance as we navigate the grief process, and she honors the

desire for both deep connection and insightful guidance in her counseling. Lynne also volunteers at Hospice Austin where she sings with Threshold Choir for patients in hospice. She has practiced meditation and yoga for all of her adult life and honors death, as well as grief, as part of a greater whole.

CHRISTI NEVILLE, LPC, THERAPIST

Christi Neville (she/her/hers) earned her Master’s in Counseling Psychology from the University of Denver in 1999, and following her own personal experience with sudden partner loss, has dedicated the last twenty years to the field of bereavement. Within this specialty, she has enjoyed working both in private practice, and a variety of nonprofit positions, including many years with hospice bereavement programs, teaching graduate-level grief courses, and coordinating grief support groups for all types of loss. Her therapeutic work incorporates mindfulness, Narrative Therapy, and other approaches that are strength-based, trauma-informed, and solution-focused. Grounded in a compassionate presence and a belief in the resiliency of the human spirit,

Christi fosters hope, healing, and empowerment in each person’s unique journey through loss. In her spare time, Christi enjoys music, camping, and all kinds of outdoor adventures with her son.

SUZIE SHELBY, LMSW, THERAPIST
Supervised by GIANNA VIOLA, LCSW-S

Suzie Shelby (she/her/hers) earned her Master of Social Work from Smith College for Social Work in Northampton, Massachusetts. She has a Bachelor of Art in Speech Pathology and Audiology from the University of Denver and a Master of Science in Special Education from the University of Tennessee. She is also a Licensed Massage Therapist. Suzie’s career paths have organically unfolded with her experiences as a Special Education Teacher at the Texas School for the Deaf and as a Licensed Massage Therapist specializing in working with individuals affected by cancer and trauma, paving the way for a third career in social work. Suzie was drawn to the message of hope and healing at The Austin Center for Grief & Loss and started as a Volunteer Support Group

Facilitator. Her interest in grief and loss counseling grew out of her personal experiences with familial cancer, anticipated loss, sudden death loss, and relationship loss. She has come to appreciate the difficulties and the potential posttraumatic growth of the grief journey, as well as, how unique each person’s grief journey is. Some of the healing modalities she uses to support those experiencing trauma, grief, and loss include Somatic Experiencing, EMDR, Mindfulness, and Mind-Body techniques. Suzie believes in creating a safe and welcoming space for each person to heal in their own way and at their own pace while providing therapeutic companionship along the way. Suzie’s self-care includes spending time in nature, lap swimming, especially under the moon and stars at night, and meditating.

CHANVEEN TANEJA, LPC, THERAPIST and
GROUP COORDINATOR

Chanveen Taneja (she/her/hers) is a licensed professional counselor associate in the State of Texas. She earned her master’s degree in clinical mental health counseling at Colorado Christian University in Lakewood, Colorado. Chanveen is passionate about helping people who want to explore spirituality and, in the process, understand their purpose and meaning in life. She believes we are all spiritual beings here to live meaningful lives. Anxiety, depression, self-esteem, life transitions, grief and loss, identity, and many other issues can be resolved when one can comprehend the big picture of life and how every piece of the puzzle fits in it, including our existence. Her knowledge about reincarnation and the law of karma forms the lens and aids her to discern the current life

challenges one is going through. Chanveen aspires to help individuals cultivate self-confidence, self-healing, and self-acceptance. She offers counseling from a holistic perspective that considers the whole person: mind, body, and spirit.

with her partner and giant dog, listen to podcasts while cooking, explore new restaurants and venues with her friends, and hunt at thrift shops for treasures of the past.

KATIE MOZIER, NCC, LPC-Associate,
GROUP COORDINATOR
Supervised by BRITTANY WHALLEN, LPC-S, LMFT-S

Katie Mozier (she/her/hers) was born and raised in New Orleans, LA where she completed her B.S. in Psychology just after Hurricane Katrina. After her own powerful experience of loss, she moved to Austin, TX in 2014, finding strength in community and deepening her relationships throughout her grief journey. Katie is a graduate of the Professional Counseling Master’s program at Texas State University, where she focused her work on grief and loss, stress and trauma, and substance abuse. Particularly, Katie is passionate about group work, where people can find understanding, empathy, and a community of support.

When not engaged in conversations about the big questions of life, Katie loves to hang out

JULIE BIECHLIN, LCSW,GROUP COORDINATOR

Julie Biechlin (she/her/hers) earned her Master’s degree in Social Work from the University of Texas – Austin. She worked many years as a Disability Examiner for DARS, and in in inpatient psychiatric settings, residential treatment and outpatient counseling. Julie was drawn to the field of grief counseling as a result of her own personal loss and to share what she has learned personally and professionally in navigating the grief journey and recovery. Julie sees her role as joining with the client, to witness their process, normalizing and validating their experience, and collaborating to create their new identity and meaning of their loss. In her spare time she enjoys Pilates, hanging out with her adult children and their families and playing almost any racquet sport.

NADIA VELASQUEZ, LCSW-S, THERAPIST

Nadia Velasquez, LCSW-S (she/her/hers) is a graduate of the Steve Hicks School of Social Work. She is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Board Approved Social Work Supervisor.

Nadia began her career in the non-profit sector as a hospice social worker providing anticipatory grief and loss support to patients and families coping with a terminal prognosis. Nadia continues her passion of advocating for accessible mental health services for all. Currently Nadia provides in-home psychotherapy services to homebound adults at Family Eldercare in addition to offering contract therapy services at Austin Center for Grief and Loss.

Nadia has extensive experience working with adults in areas of mental wellness, aging, life transitions, chronic illness, generational trauma, grief, and loss. Nadia is mindful of how systemic barriers may keep individuals from seeking out mental health services. As a result, Nadia incorporates a culturally sensitive, collaborative and relational therapy approach in her work with clients.

KELSEY WILLIAMS, LMSW,
Supervised by Dr. PAMELA A. MALONE, LCSW-S, FELLOW IN THANATOLOGY

Kelsey Williams (they/them) is a nonbinary, queer writer and artist and social worker. Kelsey is passionate about creating a space for LGBTQIA2+ affirming therapy and helping individuals who may be experiencing anxiety and depression related to grief & loss. Kelsey practices using a trauma-informed, relational psychodynamic attachment theory lens with an emphasis on narrative therapy. In addition, Kelsey aims to use abolitionist, decolonized & anti-racist and anti-oppressive praxis in their work. The nuts and bolts of it is—as a therapist, Kelsey strives to build connection, a sense of safety, and a space where clients can relax into their authentic selves.

In their spare time, Kelsey plays with yarn, plays video games, is working on a novel, and gathers with friends in the nerd-sphere of Magic the Gathering and Dungeons & Dragons. Kelsey also has an animal familiar by way of a tiny chihuahua-mix.

NOELLE PRAX LPC-Associate, supervised by LUCIE HAMILTON, LPC-S

Noelle Prax (she/her/hers) is a trauma counselor and fierce advocate for her clients. She graduated from UT Austin with a B.A. in Biology and Minor in Psychology. Noelle completed her graduate education at Boston University where she obtained a M.A. in Mental Health Counseling & Behavioral Medicine. Noelle believes the connection between mind and body is fundamental in healing, and incorporates somatic and mindfulness techniques into her approach. Noelle specializes in supporting people on their journey of grief related to Chronic Illness, Pain, and Fatigue. As a former EMT, Noelle witnessed the invalidation and exhaustion that can come from simply trying to “prove” your diagnoses to people who just don’t get it. Noelle carries several Chronic Illness diagnoses herself, and understands from her own lived experiences how isolating and scary grief can be to manage alone. Noelle aims to foster a healing connection

with her clients that helps them feel seen, process diagnoses and loss, and learn to move forward while still honoring their past.

When Noelle is not walking alongside her clients in their journeys she loves to garden, create delicious food for her loved ones that won’t upset their stomachs, and take care of her senior dog, Oliver. Photosynthesizing in the sun is a required daily activity for Noelle.

MADDIE DOMIN, LMSW, supervised by ERIN C SPALDING, LCSW-S

Madison (Maddie) Domin (she/her & they/them) is a queer, Latinx, larger bodied, detribalized Indigenous social worker. Maddie attended TCU in Fort Worth where she obtained a BSW and immediately attended The University of Texas at Austin where they obtained a MSSW on a clinical track. After graduating and obtaining her LMSW, she worked in community mental healthcare in the Transgender Wellness Program of Out Youth working with queer and trangender young adults. Maddie is a relational trauma therapist who specializes in working with teens 15+, young adults, queer and transgender individuals, women, people who dissociate, and people who practice ethical non-monogamy. Additionally, their niche is childhood trauma, emotional and sexual abuse, and life transitions. Their approach to trauma work is based within the neuroscience of trauma and the connection between your mind and body. She aims to share with you and educate you about what a traumatized brain does and how your brain may be doing something similar or completely different.