Tita Machado, LPC, ADS

**Currently Not Accepting New Clients**

Multilingual In English, Portuguese, Italian, and Spanish

My counseling approach centers on empowerment and self-love. I have witnessed the transformations that occur when embodying a heart-minded and compassionate connection. In session, I will focus on your inner experience with skill, curiosity, and compassion. Through this, we will shine a light on any shadows ready to be witnessed on the path to your authentic self. You and your experience will be honored every step of the way as we lean deeper into all of your parts. Through the embodiment of experience and compassionate self-awareness we will embark on your healing journey to a place of understanding and self-acceptance.

My therapy work is firmly rooted in the holistic power of the mind-body connection, effective evidence-based therapies, and spiritual perspective and wisdom. By using these three approaches, we are often able to produce lasting change and powerful results. I incorporate holistic psychotherapy with a trauma-informed lens, infusing knowledge from other modalities such as Internal Family Systems, Somatic Experiencing, and Integrative Treatment of Complex Trauma. Through all of this, we are able to demystify your symptoms and bring more empowerment and understanding into your journey. Healing is non-linear and ongoing and our work will reflect this truth as we journey together into a deepening and unfolding of you. My work as a therapist has shown me that when you are able to become curious and tune into the experiences held within you body and mind, you can unlock keys to who you are and are able to step into your best life.

I love to work with those who are looking to grow out of difficult experiences, heal from dysfunctional families of origin, break generational curses, or just become their best selves. Additionally, we do not live in a bubble, addressing the dynamics of your external life is just as important as understanding the internal. I am passionate about creating an affirming safe space for LGBTQIA+ and BIPOC populations.

Please know how brave I think you are for taking the first step in searching for help. Feel free to contact me with any other questions or to explore if we would be a good fit to embark on this journey together. 

More About Tita

I was born in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil and grew up in Newton, Massachusetts from the age of seven in a blended, multicultural, multilingual family. My childhood was spent between my new home and trips to Brazil to see my father, brothers, and extended family, while as a young adult I traveled extensively while I studied and lived abroad in Italy and Switzerland. These years allowed me a special appreciation for diversity and a unique understanding around immigration and acculturation. Therapy has played a pivotal role throughout my life, starting with my parents’ separation in Brazil when I was five years old and continuing to offer support and guidance through times of divorce, loss, sexual assault/abuse, cancer, and exploring my identity. I believe that vulnerability is a necessary precursor to connection. In turn, authentic connection heightens the potential for change.

I hold a bachelor’s of arts degree in Italian Studies from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst in Amherst, Massachusetts as well as a diploma for Italian language studies from the Universita per Stranieri in Siena, Italy. After college I completed a post graduate diploma in International Hospitality Management from Cesar Ritz Colleges, Brig, Switzerland. After thirteen years in the hospitality industry I realized that my true passion lay in helping people realize their full, long-term human potential.

In 2017 I graduated from Lesley University in Cambridge, Massachusetts with a master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. For my clinical practicum I worked at Massachusetts Alliance of Portuguese Speakers providing therapy to individuals and families in Portuguese and English. Most recently at Lifeworks here in Austin, I provided community-based therapy to youths and young adults, many of whom were experiencing homelessness, transitioning out of foster care or the juvenile justice system as they pursued a stable future for themselves and their families. I am also licensed with the Texas Medical Board as an Acudetox Specialist (ADS), and can incorporate this additional tool into the therapeutic space for clients that wish to calm and rebalance themselves during their session. Find Additional information about 5NP (also known as Acudetox) here. 

Outside of the office I continue to educate myself on whole-body mental health – the relationship between our body’s gut health, mind, spirit and emotional health and the impact on our physical health. When not traveling, I enjoy spending time with friends recharging by a body of water, exploring different restaurants and sites around town, or seeing a great movie.

**If you need to file a complaint with the board this clinician’s full name is Maria Eduarda Machado.