I believe healing happens in relationship.
And community is a form of relationship. I show up in classrooms, on panels, in professional spaces — because I genuinely care about making mental health more honest, more accessible, and more culturally grounded. Here's what that has looked like.
The longer version.
I'm Tyler Ricks, a Licensed Professional Counselor Associate based in Austin, Texas. My clinical background includes experience in university counseling settings working with college students in Tennessee, and private practice across Texas where I work primarily with women from a psychodynamic, relational framework.
I completed my Master's in Counseling from the University of Tennessee Knoxville, where I was selected as a National Board for Certified Counselors Minority Fellow — one of the field's most competitive fellowships. During that time I completed original work on disordered eating in Black women and university resource utilization, and adapted The Body Project into The Black Body Project, a culturally responsive eating disorder prevention group. I presented that work at the Black Mental Health Symposium.
My clinical training includes AEDP Level Two (in progress), ongoing psychodynamic study, and engagement with contemporary psychoanalytic texts. I was previously a member of the Appalachian Psychoanalytic Society during my time in Knoxville, and I continue to prioritize that orientation in my work.
Outside of work I can be found listening to audiobooks or music, playing with my niece, or loudly defending my reality TV opinions.
I built something I wished existed.
ATX Therapy Network started as a Facebook community that grew organically to nearly 1,000 therapists — because clinicians in this city needed a real professional home. Something collaborative, not competitive. Rooted in the Austin area. Actually useful.
It's now a curated membership community for Austin-area therapists who want peer connection, referrals, consultation, and a network that understands the realities of modern private practice. And it lives at atxtherapynetwork.com.
"I wanted a professional community that felt real — not just a place to post and scroll, but a space where clinicians in Austin could actually know each other. I still believe that's worth building."
Some of what community has looked like in practice.
An open Q&A on Black student mental health — what it actually looks like to seek support, and why it matters.
I created and funded this scholarship for Black students at Texas State University, providing access to in-person counseling. Financial barriers shouldn't determine who gets to heal.
Joined a career panel for the Texas Women's Basketball team, talking about what it's like to build a private practice as a therapist and business owner.
Clinical consultant on the Zero Suicide Project at Dell Medical School, contributing to systemic efforts in suicide prevention and care.
Adapted The Body Project into a culturally responsive eating disorder prevention group for Black women. Presented at the Black Mental Health Symposium.
Founded and built a professional community of nearly 1,000 Austin-area clinicians from the ground up — starting with a Facebook group, now a full membership platform.
What I speak on.
I bring clinical depth and real talk to every room I'm in. I'm available for speaking engagements, workshops, and panels. Don't see your topic below — reach out anyway.
Looking to collaborate?
I actively build referral relationships with providers who work alongside the women I serve. A good referral network matters — for clinicians and for clients alike. If you work with women who could benefit from depth-oriented mental health support, I'd love to connect.
Let's bring this work into your space.
Whether you're looking for a speaker, a consultant, a workshop,
or a referral partner — reach out and let's talk about what's possible.
Or book a therapy consultation: calendly.com/tyler-therapywithtyler/15min