Elana Wakeman

When I think about personal challenges, I often refer to The Wizard of Oz. The lion longed for courage; the scarecrow, a brain; the tin man, a heart; and Dorothy, the feeling of home.

At the end of their journeys (spoilers!), each character discovers that their deepest yearnings are also their strongest resources.

But they needed to take that journey, together, to unlock those resources. I believe that this is true for all of us: that we all not only have the innate capacity to heal and grow but that by facing our biggest fears, bolstered by attuned support, we can turn those perceived deficits into our most powerful allies. To me, the magical alchemy of mindfulness and relational support is one of the most efficient ways to tap into this inner wisdom.

We often find ourselves navigating experiences we never asked for and can’t control. In trying to manage what feels unmanageable, our clever coping strategies can sometimes take on a life of their own, turn into depression or anxiety, and limit our ability to connect authentically, feel satisfaction, or make healthy decisions. In these instances, we may benefit from slowing down, stabilizing in the moment, and studying what is happening. I love to work collaboratively at these barriers, providing a safe space for mindful exploration and emotional expression.

I am a GenX’er, a mom, queer ally, antiracist, and longtime Austinite who loves the local arts scene as well as any opportunity to travel. I am comfortable with all forms of religion and spirituality and am trained from a multicultural lens. A graduate of the Hakomi Institute’s Comprehensive Training, I first learned to work therapeutically with mindfulness through Hakomi, an experiential form of depth psychology that engages mindfulness and awareness of the body to support organic healing processes. I am in awe of the power of mindfulness to address therapeutic goals by bringing unconscious material to light so we can learn from it in the present moment with curiosity, tenderness, and without judgment. In addition to incorporating mindfulness, I draw from a blend of attachment theory, parts work, person‑centered approaches, feminist theory, and psychodynamic perspectives. These frameworks help me attune to your unique history, inner world, and relational patterns so we can work together in a way that feels grounded, collaborative, and responsive to your needs.

I would be honored to walk alongside you as you navigate your own yellow brick road of growth and discovery.

I am supervised by Linda A. Ramsey, MA, LPC, LMFT-S.