ABOUT DR. GOURLEY

I was born and reared in Austin, Texas and, although I have lived in a variety of states and countries in my lifetime, I consider Austin a truly unique and beautiful city. One of my passions in life is travel. Whether it is in the United States or in foreign lands, I find incredible beauty in simple things and invaluable life lessons in my encounters with people, animals and nature. I believe that travel and contact with other cultures provides us with insight into the human race and have come to the conclusion that, regardless of the country, human beings seek the basic things: love, family, connection, safety, understanding, food and shelter. We have much to learn by observing and appreciating other cultures. Thus, I welcome diversity and strive to maintain a multicultural perspective in my life and clinical practice.

Prior to obtaining my Ph.D., I worked in a variety of occupations: for a law firm, as Patient Services Coordinator for the Muscular Dystrophy Association in the state of Mississippi, as an Administrator of a Montessori school, as a community volunteer, as a real estate broker, and as a parent (probably the hardest job of all!) Thus, I enter this phase of my life with a good deal of life experience which I consider to be a personal asset in my work as a psychologist.

My approach to psychotherapy is eclectic, but I think it could be generally described as interpersonal and collaborative. I view people as a combination of mind, body and spirit and think we are happiest when those aspects of ourselves are fully integrated. Fundamentally, I try to adapt my therapeutic strategies to fit the client's needs. I see a variety of clients for individual, group and couples psychotherapy.