Aurora Nugent

Licensed Professional Counselor Associate (LPC-A)
Supervised by Amanda Smith, LPC-S

I offer trauma-informed therapy for adults and couples in Austin. My work is collaborative, steady, and deeply grounded in the belief that healing happens when you feel safe, supported, and truly seen. I show up with warmth, curiosity, and a respect for how layered your experience might be—especially if you're carrying the effects of past trauma, anxiety, or relational wounds.

In our sessions, I draw from evidence-based models that support both the mind and body. Depending on your needs, that might include relational or somatic approaches, trauma processing work, or tools to help you shift patterns that no longer serve you. Therapy with me isn’t one-size-fits-all—we’ll go at your pace and adapt as your needs evolve.

I also support couples looking to strengthen communication, rebuild trust, or reconnect emotionally. I use a neuroscience-based model that helps partners understand their patterns in real time, so they can move from reactivity toward repair. Whether you're showing up solo or with a partner, we’ll work together to create a space where insight and change can actually take root.

Professional Background & Qualifications

Education

Masters of Arts in Counseling
St. Edward’s University

Certifications
National Certified Counselor (NCC)

Training

Licensed Professional Counselor Associate (LPC-A) in Texas
Supervised by Amanda Smith, LPC-S

EMDR, IFS, and Attachment-Based Therapy for When You’re Tired of Just Coping

Ages

  • 5 years and up

Types

  • Individual Therapy

  • Couples Therapy

  • Group Therapy

Expertise

  • Trauma (recent and developmental)

  • Nervous system overwhelm and dysregulation

  • Anxiety, perfectionism, and people-pleasing

  • Emotional stuckness and burnout

  • Attachment patterns and relationship distress

  • Difficulty setting boundaries

  • Highly sensitive or deep-feeling adults

  • Healing from relational or systemic harm

  • Identity exploration and self-understanding

Location

  • In Person

  • Virtual in Texas

Modalities

  • EMDR

  • CBT

  • Internal Family Systems (IFS)

  • Attachment Theory

  • PACT Model by Stan Tatkin

Curious what those approaches actually mean?

Here are a few “what this looks like in session” notes:

EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing)
EMDR helps the brain process trauma in a way that feels safe and contained. You won’t have to talk through everything in detail. Instead, we use gentle techniques like eye movements or tapping to help your nervous system release what’s been stuck. Many clients say EMDR helps things finally shift without feeling overwhelmed.

IFS (Internal Family Systems)
IFS is based on the idea that we all have different “parts” inside us, and each one has a reason for being there. That anxious voice that won’t quiet down? That avoidant part that wants to run away? In IFS, we learn to get curious instead of critical. Clients often say this work helps them feel more self-compassionate and less hijacked by their emotions.

Attachment-Focused Therapy
Attachment theory isn’t just about childhood. It’s also about how we show up in connection today. If you find yourself shutting down, clinging, avoiding, or fighting hard for connection, you’re not broken. You’re adaptive. I help you make sense of these patterns and begin to experience relationships as a place of safety rather than stress.

PACT (Psychobiological Approach to Couples Therapy)
PACT is a neuroscience-based approach to couples therapy that focuses on how our brains, bodies, and early attachment experiences shape how we relate to each other now. In session, we focus on real-time experiences—like how you respond when your partner pulls away, or how you fight to be heard. This isn’t about blame or taking sides. It’s about building a relationship that feels secure, responsive, and connected—even during conflict.