Brenna has lived experience with adult-onset OCD. She is a writer, a Grassroots Advocate for the IOCDF, and a volunteer for OCD Texas. She was honored to share her story as the Grand Marshal at the Austin One Million Steps for OCD Walk in 2024. Additionally, she enjoys advocating virtually on social media, where she raises awareness about OCD, shares about her recovery journey, and connects with the community. She earned both her undergraduate and law degrees from Northwestern University, and currently lives in Austin with her husband and their dog.
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Courtney has volunteered with OCD Texas for four years and currently serves as its Newsletter Director. With over fifteen years of OCD lived experience, she is deeply committed to raising awareness and fostering understanding about mental health. Born and raised in San Antonio, she is a double graduate of the University of the Incarnate Word, holds a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) license, and works as a Controller in the oil and gas financial services industry. In her free time, she enjoys fitness, creating art, and spending time with her beloved pets.
Symposium Speakers
Andrea M. Alvarez, M.Ed., LPC-S, NCC is owner and Executive Director of AMA Behavioral Therapy, PLLC. She opened her practice doors in 2009 and has steadily grown since. She earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology from University of Houston and her M.Ed. in Counseling and Education from UTRGV and has over 16 years experience and provides evidenced based therapies. In 2014, she was the first mental health therapist in San Antonio area to become professional member of the TLC Foundation for Body Focused Repetitive Behaviors and completed their clinician training for treating individuals suffering from BFRB’s. In 2017, became a professional member of International OCD Foundation and has completed their evidenced based therapy (BTTI) to treat adults suffering from OCD. In 2018, she then continued her specialty by completing BTTI for adolescents.
Katy Rothfelder, LPC is a clinician specializing in the treatment of Anxiety, Obsessive
Compulsive Disorder, and related disorders in Austin, Texas. In addition to her clinical work, Katy is the Chair of the CE Committee for the Association of Contextual Behavioral Sciences. Katy also serves on the board of OCD Texas as the Volunteer Chair, and has co-chaired the One Million Steps Walk for three years. She is passionate about advocacy and research, and has presented and written for a number of local and national nonprofits on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Anxiety, and the treatment of OCD. Prior to entering her graduate degrees in Counseling and Behavior Analysis, Katy worked for several years in the development and marketing of local nonprofits, and provided ABA services to neurodivergent children and their families. She has published in one of the top rhetorical journals for Communications Sciences on the language defining mental health narratives, and enjoys advocating for evidence based practice and inclusivity on any soap box she can get on top of.
Katy loves the hill country of Texas, and spends as much time as she can outside with her dogs Thor and Balto, family and friends.
Saharah is dedicated to providing quality treatment for those with OCD, anxiety and related disorders. Saharah is an advocate for increasing public awareness about proper treatment for OCD and anxiety disorders and strives to reduce stigma surrounding mental illness.
Saharah received her BA in Psychology and Sociology and MA in Christian Counseling from Houston Baptist University. When not at work, Saharah enjoys spending time with her family and is an unabashed podcast enthusiast.
Saharah has treated OCD, OC-Spectrum Disorders and Anxiety Disorders since 2003. She was trained at The Menninger Clinic OCD Program and went on to become the Program Manager of the Houston OCD Program where she worked in outpatient, intensive outpatient and residential treatment settings. Saharah has also been trained in SPACE (Supportive Parenting for Anxious Childhood Emotions) treatment, the Bergen 4-Day Treatment (B4DT) model and is a graduate of the IOCDF’s Behavior Therapy Training Institute (BTTI).
Christen Sistrunk, LPC-S is the Clinical Director and Co-Founder of the Houston Center for Valued Living. She has extensive experience treating obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), anxiety disorders, phobias, depression, ADHD, and is passionate about women’s mental health concerns. With a robust background spanning residential, intensive, and outpatient settings,
Christen provides evidence-based care grounded in compassion and expertise. She has completed the Behavior Therapy Training Institute (BTTI) program and advanced training in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT I, II, & III). She is also trained in Supportive Parenting for Anxious Childhood Emotions (SPACE) and is currently pursuing her Perinatal Mental Health Certification (PMH-C).
Christen currently serves as the OCD-Texas Houston Ambassador, is committed to empowering individuals and families through education, collaboration, and personalized treatment strategies that foster resilience and lasting change.
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Sophie Tiller, LMSW, is a social worker specializing in the treatment of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, anxiety disorders, and depression, with clinical experience in residential, intensive outpatient, and outpatient settings. She is trained in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) and completed specialized training at OCDI-Houston. Sophie serves as the primary clinician for the Intensive Outpatient Program for OCD and anxiety disorders at Houston Center for Valued Living, where she focuses on resilience and therapeutic outcomes for children, teens, and young adults.