Women's Treatment Team

Trauma, Mental Health, & Addiction Experts

When you seek treatment at Grace & Emerge Recovery, you’re promised a partnership — not a prescription. We know that everyone’s path to recovery is different and that every woman’s unique challenges deserve to be treated with the same level of care and expertise on every step of their journey. The entire Grace & Emerge treatment team is deeply committed to providing holistic care that helps women struggling with trauma, substance use, and/or mental health challenges to reclaim their power and move forward into a new life.

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Our diverse backgrounds, different academic focuses, proficiencies in varying evidence-based treatment modalities, and personal experiences in recovery ensure that every woman who seeks help at Grace & Emerge can find her people, find her purpose, and find herself.

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Leah Malone

Owner

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    Learning to sit with uncomfortable feelings can be painful and disturbing at times. When Leah was able to see her behavior patterns and decided there was enough pain to be disturbed, she became motivated to make changes and accept the work that needed to be done to heal. She needed direction and had no clue how to heal on her own. Through a connection with God, authentic connection with others, honesty, willingness, and humility, Leah is now in recovery from addiction and trauma. 

     

    Grace & Emerge Recovery came to fruition through Leah doing her own work, finding healing, and creating a life she is unwilling to risk. Leah is educated as a LCDC and is on track to earn a degree in marriage and family therapy. Leah is a mother to 4 beautiful children. When Leah is not working, she enjoys traveling with her kids and getting to know them for the people they are growing to become. 

     

    Leah, with her partner, created Grace & Emerge Recovery by walking their own paths to recovery and designed what they felt was missing for them along the way.  Experience, strength, and love are found in every aspect of the program they built and the work that gets done with every woman is not taken lightly.  

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Laurel Tracey, MBA, MAC, LCDC

Owner

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    After sustaining a series of injuries that ended her college soccer career, Laurel spiraled into addiction, necessitating professional intervention and support. In 2012, Laurel found recovery and began working in the behavioral health field shortly after, dedicating her career to helping others find purpose and regain peace. The recurrent thread throughout Laurel’s recovery has been the willingness to confront difficult truths where the needed courage comes from a powerful network of women walking alongside one another.

     

    Laurel is an experienced operations manager known for her analytical and resourceful approach. She has become an unwavering advocate for change by combatting misconceptions associated with mental health, trauma, and addiction and raising the standards of women’s treatment. Laurel attended the United States Air Force Academy, St. Edward’s University, and Our Lady of the Lake University. She holds a bachelor’s in psychology, a Master of Business Administration and a Master of Arts in Mental Health Counseling.

Stephanie Trevino-Cruz, M.A., LPC-S

Stephanie Trevino-Cruz, M.A., LPC-S

Chief Clinical Officer

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    Stephanie specializes in working with people who have experienced adverse life events and find themselves using external avoidances to cope. She encourages treating the entire family system to enhance lasting transformation. Stephanie uses EMDR, Ego State Therapies and Somatic Release to regulate the body and mind.  

     

    She is a clinical supervisor that provides national consultation and training to other clinicians and agencies on trauma-focused care.

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Alaska Ogden, LCDC, LPC-A

Clinical Director

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    Alaska’s unique and powerful approach to spiritual and emotional healing has been a lifelong pursuit. Her professional path was born out of her own personal spiritual and emotional healing and is a uniquely curated form of considerate and potent council. 

     

    Her background and career experiences have provided experience and certification in various types of trauma care, substance use disorders, dialogue facilitation, interpersonal and intercultural conflict resolution, depth psychological theory, and psychopharmacology. 

     

    Alaska holds a Master's degree in Counseling Psychology from Pacifica Graduate Institute. In undergrad, she pursued both Psychology and Conflict Resolution and graduated from Portland State University with a double Bachelors of Science Degree. For the past decade, she’s been traveling internationally to provide harm reduction outreach, education, and support. Outside of her role at Grace & Emerge Recovery, she’s the board of a Harm Reduction Nonprofit called RestPit that provides sanctuary space, peer support, and medical care in the central Texas area.

     

    Alaska is proud to bring her commitment to nonpathologizing, collaborative, and empowering care to Grace & Emerge Recovery. She’s deeply interested in using story tracking and illumination to help clients find the tangles that we as humans all find ourselves getting caught up in – and finding a way to unravel the knots so that all women can have more empowered and healthy life experiences and relationships. Guided by the foundational belief that our inner narrative is how we make meaning from what we experience, Alaska aims to help clients weave a new perspective and life together using the art of re-storying inner narratives, depth & transpersonal perspectives, and intuitive guidance.

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Irek Banaczyk, LCSW, LCDC

Therapist

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    Irek has come to learn that a person’s life is impacted by a complex mix of influences such as family history, environment, genes, context, social, and personal experiences. These factors are what uniquely shape our emotions, thoughts, and behaviors, all of which either expand or constrict one’s ability to make life-affirming choices. Undoubtedly, much of this occurs outside of conscious awareness, yet even where there is some awareness, coping patterns can become habitual, problematic, and difficult to change.

     

    Here’s the good news: Change IS possible. There’s an art of discovery that happens in the context of safe, attuned, contingent relationships with counselors trained in the process of reaffirming biological, emotional, cognitive, and behavioral ways of being.

     

    With the gentle facilitation of a therapist, you can gain increased awareness of body and mind and assistance in enhancing motivation, agency, and integration of skills. These self-improvements allow for a more self-directed life, one that can be lived more fully through consciously curated personal values and choices. I believe what we do in the therapeutic setting in conjunction with these lifestyle enhancements can, over time, bring about lasting change.

     

    Informed by developmental neurobiology and emotionally focused in-depth psychotherapies, Irek aims to be that gentle collaborator in your process of integration and transformation towards the person you aspire to be and all that brings you purpose, meaning, and fulfillment.

Madelin Miles

Madelin Miles,
LPC-A

Therapist

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    Madelin’s warm and engaging style of therapy serves to create a safe place where people can come as they are while collaboratively working together to embrace change. Being entrusted with the stories people have to tell is sacred, and Madelin cherishes each opportunity to be part of someone’s healing journey. Madelin’s desire for each of her clients is that they would experience deeper self-knowledge and respect, as well as increased satisfaction in life and their relationships.

     

    Madelin is a Counseling Intern pursuing her Masters in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Seminary of the Southwest in Austin,TX. She was raised in Heflin, Alabama and received her undergraduate degree from Auburn University. Madelin enjoys spending time with her family, time in nature—(skiing, Pickleball, horseback riding, swimming), cooking, working out, reading, and spending time with her mini fluffy diva cat, Fiona! 

     

    Madelin blends Polyvagal Theory with Resourcing (a component of EMDR) with more expressive forms of treatment, such as play therapy, meditation, and walking outdoor sessions in her work with children, teens, and adults. Madelin supports those who are struggling with anxiety, depression, and trauma (PTSD), developing healthy coping skills, boundary-setting, body-image, self-esteem, communication, identity issues, emotion regulation, and life transitions. Madelin incorporates biological, psychological, social, and spiritual perspectives, creating a holistic approach to each person and their healing journey. By offering multiple therapeutic mediums of professional counseling services, Madelin aims to help clients reach their goals by understanding and meeting each person’s unique and individualized needs.

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Brittany Fell,
MAC, LPC-A Candidate

Clinical Case Manager

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    From a very young age, Brittany knew she wanted to work in the mental health field. She didn’t know that she would first have to take a journey of her own. Brittany struggled with addiction beginning in adolescence and first entered recovery at the age of 20. She stayed sober for nine consecutive years and, during that time, graduated with a Masters degree in counseling from Houston Baptist University. She planned to work as a therapist upon graduation. However, a relapse led to the next several years of battling addiction. 

     

    Brittany first came to Grace & Emerge Recovery as a client. She was at the lowest point of her life and was desperate for a solution. She was full of shame and guilt, especially since she had two amazing daughters that she wanted to recover for. During her treatment, Brittany identified that it was unhealed trauma that was keeping her stuck. Through individual counseling, EMDR, and working a 12-step recovery program, Brittany was able to pull herself back up after one last relapse. 

     

    In addition to her educational background, Brittany has experience working in the addiction field as a behavioral health technician and a case manager. Today, she is proud to work for a company that helped her regain her life. When Brittany isn’t at work, she is probably busy being a mom and supporting women to regain their lives, as women once did for her.

Amanda Burkett

Amanda Burkett

Recovery Coach & Case Manager

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    Amanda is a Recovery Coach and Case Manager at Grace & Emerge Recovery. She has been in recovery for six years and is now honored to be helping others navigate their own journey to peace and healing. For the past five years, she has been working her way up the ladder at Grace & Emerge Recovery to take a bigger role in the treatment process, from detox tech to her position today. Amanda is currently on her next big personal journey as she works toward becoming a LMSW. She can’t see herself ever working in any other field and takes great pride and joy in the reward of watching young women transform into the happiest, healthiest versions of themselves at Grace & Emerge Recovery!

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Robyn Blackwell

Recovery Coach

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    From the heart of Texas Hill Country to the bustling streets of Austin, Robyn brings a deep appreciation for community and the transformative power of recovery to Grace & Emerge.

     

    Robyn graduated Schreiner University with a Bachelor's degree in Accounting, and began her career as a corporate accountant in Houston. There, she became aware that her relationship with alcohol — and with herself — was not healthy. She entered treatment in February of 2022 to change her life, and has stayed sober ever since. Today, Robyn dedicates her life to helping other women find and sustain recovery. She is active in the recovery community, sponsors other women, and continues to work the 12 steps. Robyn co-founded a recovery run group called Outlier's here in Austin and stays plugged in with recovery-friendly hobbies and sports.

     

    Above all, Robyn is devoted to helping other women find what they are passionate about, and guides them to take the steps needed to achieve their goals through her recovery coaching.

Brittany Burke

Brittany Burke, LPC-A Candidate

Therapist

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    Brittany is currently obtaining her master’s degree in clinical mental health counseling at Lamar University. She came to Grace & Emerge to help adult women recover from trauma and substance abuse after her own recovery from trauma. She understands the complexity the recovery process can often hold, and the impact that one’s core beliefs can carry throughout their lives. By raising awareness and challenging this narrative, she aims to empower her clients and guide them through the process of effectively utilizing their personal control and building a sense of safety in their lives. Brittany utilizes ego state therapies to assist in stabilization and regulation in preparation for trauma processing. Self-efficacy and self-esteem, interpersonal skills, and emotional regulation can all hold unique challenges for trauma survivors; through supportive cognitive behavioral approaches, she helps clients reframe their story as they slowly peel at the layers of their trauma. A collaborative process is key in helping her clients break free from their suffering, working towards resiliency. 

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Liv Hellmund

Morning Technician

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    Liv is proud to have created a career out of her passion for passing experience, strength and hope to other women. She joined the Grace & Emerge Recovery team after finding her purpose in helping others recover through her own personal experiences and journey. As Morning Technician, she’s often the first person clients interact with on a daily basis, and her bright spirit is a gift to everyone she encounters! Liv is very spiritually oriented and has a strong relationship with yoga and meditation in her daily life. She is grateful and thrilled to play a role in young women’s path to healing and growing in the Grace & Emerge Recovery community.

Skye Hinton

Skye Hinton,
BFA, RSPS

Group Facilitator

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    Skye is the owner of New Obsession, a resource for artists and musicians in recovery from substance use disorder. Combining passion, experience and education in art and recovery, New Obsession offers support through one on one creative recovery coaching as well as community workshops, bringing skill building and creative outlets to recovering individuals. New Obsession prioritizes autonomy and seeks to enhance the recovery process through creative thinking, on and off the canvas!

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Kaytee Hernandez, C-IAYT, E-RYT 500, CRYT

Yoga Therapist & Teacher

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    Kaytee Hernandez is a Latinx Yoga Therapist and Yoga Teacher. She was born and raised in Brownsville, Texas. Yoga has helped Kaytee heal from childhood trauma, grief, and loss. Her personal practice and faith infuse her life with meaning and joy.

     

    Kaytee hopes to share the therapeutic benefits of Yoga with others through her work as a Yoga Therapist. She believes everyone has an inner healer and empowers her students to look within themselves to find strength and healing. Kaytee utilizes trauma-informed practices, mantra, breath work, meditation, mudras, and yoga postures in her work.

     

    Kaytee has a Bachelor of Arts in Graphic Media Design from the University of the Arts London and is currently a graduate student of Ayurveda and Integrative Health at Maharishi International University.

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Dr. Shiva Lam, M.D.

Medical Director

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    Dr. Lam brings nearly 25 years of experience in psychiatry to Emerge Recovery. Fellowship-trained and double board certified (in both general psychiatry and child/adolescent psychiatry), Dr. Lam has served as Chief of Staff at Shoal Creek Hospital, Outpatient Director at Charter Hospital, staff psychiatrist at St. David’s Hospital, and Executive Medical Director at Austin Lakes Hospital. His distinguished career serving patients and families across Central Texas is hallmarked not only by his widely respected professional expertise but also by his genuine, warm, and kind bedside manner. Dr. Lam has extensive experience treating severe mental illness as well as substance use disorders. He will build trust with our beloved residents through in-person visits and after-hours care as he engages them actively in their treatment.

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Ella Born

Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner

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    Ella has devoted her entire healthcare career to mental health nursing and brings fifteen years of psychiatric experience to Emerge Recovery. More recently, she completed her training as a psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioner under Dr. Lam’s preceptorship and has partnered with him ever since. Ella is deeply knowledgeable, compassionate, and supportive of her patients and their families. She values collaboration and ensures that those in her care and their loved ones feel heard, valued, and cared for.

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Katie Nelson, LVN

Nurse

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    Katie has been a nurse for over three years with experience in detox and residential recovery centers that included caring for a dual-diagnosis population. She has started her LVN to RN bridge program through Galen College of Nursing. She is passionate about the mental health of others and finds it just as important as their physical health. Katie is a caring mother to two wonderful boys. They enjoy going to the park, playing sports, and painting together.

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Our Mission, Your Solution

The mission of Grace & Emerge Recovery is to educate, support and nurture women as they develop and utilize skills to work through trauma and substance use disorders. Our vision is to provide a curative path to long-term recovery and a direct nexus between the decisive moment and crucial action that is needed to overcome suffering from addiction. We have developed innovative approaches to recovery that enable individuals to a lifetime of health and empowerment. Grace & Emerge is committed to providing the highest quality professional services to women seeking long-term recovery. 

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Find Your Next Step

We know that successful recovery and a fulfilling life requires more than just changing your mind – it requires changing your life. Grace & Emerge Recovery is here to support you and guide you wherever you are on that journey. All it takes is one click or call.