Abi Tesfaye, LPC Associate

(She/Her)  |  

Counselor: 

Adults, Couples, Teens

Abi aims to create a space where her clients feel safe to show up as their most authentic selves. She has found that the relationship between clients and therapists works best when built on genuine acceptance, mutual trust, and compassionate accountability. Abi believes that everyone deserves access to healing spaces—including those who have been marginalized due to their race, gender, religion, sexual orientation, or any other aspect of their identity.

Working with teens, adults, and couples, Abi helps her clients foster healthy relationships and build self-confidence. She specializes in working with depression, anxiety, ADHD, perfectionism, relationship issues, sexual abuse, and grief. Additionally, she is well-equipped to support clients with first- and second-generation cultural issues and those exploring spiritual transition or deconstruction.

Through the use of narrative therapy, IFS (Internal Family Systems), EFT (Emotionally-Focused Therapy), and EMDR training, Abi provides her clients with tools to deconstruct harmful narratives and change behaviors that no longer serve them.

Abi is supervised by Dr. Maria Haiyasoso, PhD, LPC-S, RPT, NCC.

 

Areas of Specialty

Fees

$155 per session for individuals
$170 per session for couples

Practice Location(s)

Why Therapy?

From a young age, I found myself wanting to make sure people felt seen and heard around me. I experienced therapy for myself as a young adult and knew it was what I wanted to pursue as my career. As a daughter of East African immigrants, I felt especially compelled to follow this path to be a resource for those seeking culturally-informed care.

Professional Motivation

I believe one of the first steps to healing is sharing your pain with others who can hold it with you. It is such an honor to be with clients in their difficult moments and to be a fellow traveler with them on their journey.

Education

MA- Professional Counseling, Texas State University

BA- Education, Concordia University Texas

Hobbies

In my free time, you can usually find me trying new Austin restaurants, enjoying the outdoors, soaking in live music or traveling with friends or family- all while drinking coffee.

Previous Occupations

Coffee barista, gigging musician, violin teacher, youth development, community mental health care coordinator

Client Testimonials