About Our Therapists
Kirsten Perilli, LPC-Associate
Supervised by Dr. Russ Bartee, LPC-S
Welcome!
Greetings! My name is Kirsten, and I am one of the therapists and educators at Albero D’Anima Therapy. I received my undergraduate degree in Applied Psychology from Florida Institute of Technology and my graduate degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Texas A&M University–Kingsville.
My Background
In the past, I have worked as a mental health case manager, both in an independent agency setting and as part of a Community Action Team, which provided a collaborative, wraparound approach to mental health treatment for children and teens considered to be at the highest risk in our community. I have also worked as a care coordinator for adults.
I enjoy working with individuals navigating trauma, anxiety, depression, life transitions, relationship concerns, self-esteem, boundaries, and the everyday challenges that can sometimes leave us feeling stuck.
My Approach to Therapy
As an LPC-Associate, I consider myself a person-centered therapist. This means I believe that you are the expert on your own experiences, and my role is to meet you where you are while helping you work toward where you would like to be.
I also tend to incorporate elements of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), which can help us identify and challenge unhelpful or distorted thinking patterns; Reality Therapy, which focuses on the present and future and explores how we meet our needs through the choices we make; and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), which teaches practical skills related to mindfulness, interpersonal effectiveness, distress tolerance, and emotion regulation.
I also provide EMDR for those working to heal from trauma and difficult life experiences.
Education & Advocacy
In addition to therapy, we offer educational services such as tutoring, advocacy, assistance with planning a homeschool program, and more. I have a little over 10 years of experience in education, interspersed with my time working in mental health.
I am currently certified in Texas to teach Core Subjects EC–6, Core Subjects 4–8, Social Studies 7–12, and Special Education EC–12. I adore teaching just as much as I enjoy working in the mental health field, so now I get to do both!
I strongly believe in providing each student I work with personalized and accessible educational opportunities that help build a foundation for future success. And, for those who may wonder, my favorite subject is social studies!
Social studies provides a unique opportunity to learn about others—from understanding how people think to exploring different cultures, communities, and perspectives. When we learn about other people, we also learn more about ourselves. We can discover how to become the best versions of ourselves, think critically, and work toward solving issues that affect us personally, within our communities, and as global citizens.
A Little About Me
On a personal level, I enjoy spending time with my husband, family, and friends. I love movies and television—particularly anything with a good fandom, such as Marvel, Ted Lasso, and Stranger Things. I also enjoy music, LEGO builds, reading, shopping, hiking, archery, comedy, and so much more.
Presenting as my authentic self has served me well in mental health, education, and life. I can be a little goofy, I am empathetic, and I genuinely care about others. I want the people I work with to feel comfortable being their authentic selves, too.
My goal is to help others work toward becoming the best version of themselves—and if I am not the right fit for you, I will do my best to help you find someone who may be.
I look forward to connecting with you!
Gaetano Perilli, LPC-Associate
Supervised by Dr. Russ Bartee, LPC-S
Welcome!
I bring a unique combination of professional and life experience to my work as a counselor. My path to the mental health field has included careers in both law enforcement and education, experiences that have shaped the way I understand people, relationships, resilience, and the challenges we encounter throughout our lives.
My Background
Before entering the mental health field, I worked in law enforcement, and I have spent nearly 20 years in education, with much of my career dedicated to working with individuals with special needs.
My educational background includes a Master of Education (M.Ed.) and a Master of Science (M.S.) in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. My experience across education, mental health, and law enforcement has given me a deep appreciation for the impact that stress, trauma, relationships, career demands, and major life transitions can have on our emotional well-being.
These experiences have also taught me that every person brings a different story, set of experiences, and perspective into the room.
My Approach to Therapy
I believe counseling should never be a one-size-fits-all experience. My approach is flexible and integrative, drawing from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Reality Therapy and Choice Theory, EMDR, and Person-Centered Therapy.
Most importantly, I adapt my approach to meet you where you are. Together, we can determine what feels most comfortable and effective for your individual needs, goals, and personality.
At the heart of my work is creating a genuine, supportive, and nonjudgmental space where you can feel heard and understood. Sometimes we spend so much of our lives talking, explaining, helping, and taking care of others that what we really need is someone who will simply listen.
Education & Advocacy
Education has been a significant part of my professional life for nearly 20 years, with much of that time spent working with individuals with special needs. That experience has reinforced my belief that there is no single approach that works for everyone—whether we are talking about learning, personal growth, or mental health.
I value meeting individuals where they are, recognizing their strengths, and finding approaches that work for the person rather than expecting the person to fit the approach.
A Little About Me
Outside of counseling, I enjoy spending time in nature, building LEGO sets as a way to relax and decompress, and spending time with my cats and terrapin.
I believe that finding simple moments of connection, creativity, and calm can be an important part of creating balance in our lives. Whether that means spending time outdoors, building something one brick at a time, or simply enjoying the company of an animal, sometimes the small things can make a meaningful difference.
I look forward to connecting with you!