My Story

A therapist
who moves
with you.

Destany Schadder is a Licensed Professional Counselor and Registered Dance/Movement Therapist based in Austin, TX — specializing in trauma, anxiety, and body-centered healing.

LPC — Texas & Washington R-DMT MA, Lesley University
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Destany Schadder, LPC, R-DMT — Heiser Counseling

Background

The body holds
everything.

Destany Schadder is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) and Registered Dance/Movement Therapist (R-DMT) based in Austin, TX. She holds a Master of Arts in Counseling from Lesley University, where her thesis examined how dance/movement therapy can be used to treat both the mental and physical signs of trauma — a question she has continued to bring into every session since.

That research shaped everything. Most therapists work from the neck up — exploring thoughts, narratives, and cognitive patterns. Destany works with the whole nervous system: what the body braces against, what it shuts down to survive, and what it needs to finally feel safe enough to soften. As a somatic therapist and EMDR-trained LPC, she is trained to work at a level that pure talk therapy often can't reach.

She is licensed as an LPC in Texas and as an LMHC in Washington State, and holds national credentialing as an R-DMT through the American Dance Therapy Association. She sees clients via telehealth across both states, and offers limited in-person appointments in Austin, TX.

The Approach

Rooted in the body,
guided by the science.

Destany integrates two foundational movement frameworks into her practice — each grounded in decades of clinical research.

Bartenieff Fundamentals

Developed by physical therapist Irmgard Bartenieff, this framework uses developmental movement patterns to support neurological and psychological healing. Movements that cross the corpus callosum — the bridge between brain hemispheres — have been shown to restore function after stroke and support deep integration in trauma recovery.

Marian Chace Mirroring

Marian Chace pioneered movement as a therapeutic tool, centering the idea that being truly mirrored — in body language, rhythm, and posture — creates deep relational safety. Destany brings this attunement into every session, recognizing that how a person holds themselves tells a story that words often cannot reach.

Philosophy

“ I am an eclectic
therapist — I pivot
to each person.

Therapy is interactive. We'll work together to address the things that matter most to you, integrating body awareness, activity levels, and physical health. Destany maintains a vast network of healthcare professionals with similar beliefs and refers freely when collaboration best serves her clients.

— Destany Schadder, LPC, R-DMT, MA Begin Working Together
Destany Schadder — warm natural light

Our Practice

The people
in your corner.

Heiser Counseling is home to a small, carefully chosen group of practitioners who share a commitment to whole-person care.

Dr. John Huber, Clinical Forensic Psychologist

Clinical Collaborator

Dr. John Huber

Clinical Forensic Psychologist  ·  CEO, Tripsitter Clinic  ·  Chairman, Mainstream Mental Health

With over 30 years of experience in psychology and behavioral health, Dr. Huber is a nationally recognized voice in mental health — appearing on 300+ major radio programs and 30+ national television shows including ABC, NBC, CBS, Fox News Radio, and Newsmax. He began his career as a School Psychologist and continues a private clinical practice while holding practitioner privileges at two long-term acute care hospitals.

Dr. Huber hosts the nationally syndicated Mainstream Mental Health Radio podcast and is the author of Finding the Right Therapist — a practical guide focused on emotional regulation, mental resilience, and personal accountability.

Finding the Right Therapist — Amazon
Ellen Fencl, LPC Associate and Registered Art Therapist

LPC Associate & Registered Art Therapist

Ellen Fencl

LPC Associate  ·  Registered Art Therapist  ·  Austin, TX

Ellen brings grounded, approachable Midwest warmth into every session. Clients describe her as warm, fun, and genuine — and she strives to make therapy feel safe, comfortable, and creatively engaging. She provides individual counseling and art therapy for adults, teens, and children, blending traditional talk therapy with expressive arts to support emotional healing and self-awareness.

Ellen offers both in-person and virtual sessions. For online art therapy, she provides custom art therapy kits ($50) with thoughtfully selected materials. Services are offered on a sliding scale; private pay only.

Art Therapy Expressive Arts Telehealth Sliding Scale

Begin Your Journey

Ready to take
the first step?

Accepting new clients for telehealth sessions across Texas and Washington. Reach out — a reply typically arrives within one business day.

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Heiser Counseling therapy office in Austin, TX — warm, plant-filled space with natural light