Gena St. David, Ph.D., LPC-S, LMFT-S (she/her) -- LPC-S # 67015, LMFT-S # 201671

Clinical Director & Therapist, EMDR-Trained, IFS-Trained

Warm, Grounded, Attuned, Hopeful

Gena provides highly customized therapy for adults, teens, couples, and families. She helps clients notice when stress has settled into the body as freezing, numbing, or self-criticism, and works with clients to build a compassionate relationship with their brain and body. Many of Gena's clients are seeking balance between caring for self and others, and desire to invest both in meaningful vocational work and investing in their long-term health. Therapy with Gena is affirming of sex positivity, LGBTQIA+ individuals, and contemporary relationships.

Her approach often includes EMDR and Internal Family Systems to help unresolved experiences stop hijacking present-day relationships and vocations; Relational Cultural Therapy to rebuild connection that feels mutual and energizing rather than depleting; and "Nonviolence Toward Self" work - drawing on nonviolence principles and interpersonal neurobiology to increase self-compassion while staying engaged in positive change. She specializes in working with organizational leaders processing high-stakes decisions and distressing encounters, those recovering from religious or spiritual trauma, and those interested in practicing concrete skills for enjoying mutually satisfying relationships.

Gena's background in mental health and neuroscience eventually led her to conduct the first grounded theory study of nonviolence toward the planet, animals, and people, drawing on interviews with practitioners across five continents and every major spiritual tradition. That research became her book The Nonviolent Brain (2026). Her research and writing has been recognized with the ASERVIC Research Award for Distinguished Scholarship.

In the room, clients describe her as warm, trustworthy, and easy to engage with. After getting to know a client, Gena makes clear, direct recommendations, and works collaboratively to bring about small, ordinary shifts that create real ripple effects that can help clients feel more confident in work, values, and relationships.

Gena is dually licensed as a Licensed Professional Counselor Supervisor (#67015) and a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist Supervisor (#201671). She holds a Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Therapy from George Fox University and a Doctor of Philosophy in Counseling Education and Supervision from St. Mary's University. Gena now offers both virtual sessions throughout Texas and in-person sessions in downtown Austin.

Personal

Outside of therapy, Gena is a plant-based writer and distance runner, passionate about animal rescue, the climate, and human rights. Gena enjoys downtime with her partner, meditation, reading, and two-stepping. She finds a lot of meaning in the small rhythms of ordinary life: poetry, good conversation, tacos (with plenty of guac), and trail running-especially in the gorgeous Austin springtime!