About Rain Lily
I named my practice after the Texas native rain lily (Cooperia pedunculata), known for their ability to bloom rapidly after a hard rain, creating dazzling meadows that resemble a sky full of stars. The rain lily’s bulbs can lie dormant for months or even years before peaking through the soil, rapidly transforming what may have appeared on the surface to be a simple grass field. As a resident of Austin, Texas, few things delight me more than waking up after a night of thunderstorms to a lawn dotted with the native lily’s delicate, magical blooms.
As a therapist, I take great inspiration from plants, as I believe the non-human world has infinite lessons for human beings in our own healing and thriving. Trauma healing can be a challenging, tumultuous process, opening up a storm of unaddressed pain within you. The therapist’s role is to help you weather the storm, providing structure and guidance during the hardest wind and rain. The therapist also is responsible for helping you navigate the flood of emotions safely, finding higher ground when necessary. This process can reveal hidden potential and produce incredible beauty in one’s life, even after years of longing for change and feeling stuck.
I believe every person already has within them what they need to heal—the therapeutic relationship activates this healing potential, creating the right conditions for growth. It would be my honor to do this sacred work with you.
About me
Howdy!
My name is Claire (she/her). I grew up in the Houston area and have called Austin home for 5 years. I earned a degree in Human Services from Northeastern University in Boston, MA before pursuing my Master of Social Work (MSW) from the University of Texas at Austin. Prior to pursuing clinical social work and a career as a trauma-focused therapist, I worked in a research lab at a major cancer hospital seeking to improve the patient experience for patients with incurable illness. I was inspired by the hospital social workers to pursue a career directly helping others navigate life’s most challenging, tender moments, and have had the privilege of doing so as a mental health counselor at a domestic violence crisis center, at a nonprofit organization providing essential services for homeless youth, and now in private practice.
My roots in community mental health taught me the importance of social context and structural issues in the healing process, and I view individual healing as inextricably linked to collective liberation. I believe that anti-oppressive therapists can create pockets of safety and healing despite the toll systemic inequities take on our spirits and bodies. As a proudly queer clinician, I welcome LGBTQ+ clients and affirm alternative, nontraditional relationship and family structures.
Outside of session, you can find me hiking the Barton Creek Greenbelt, getting creative in the kitchen, or dancing to live music with the people I love.
Ask me about therapy
Submit an inquiry to ask a question or request a free, 15-minute consultation call to discuss how I can help you grow.