About Me

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Hi! My name is Audra York (pronouns: she/her). I am a Licensed Professional Counselor, Supervisor and Play Therapist Supervisor. My therapeutic approach is to provide support and feedback to help clients effectively address personal life challenges. I am a trauma-informed counselor, understanding the effects and impact of trauma on the person while helping the person move toward a place of strength and healing. I integrate complementary methodologies and techniques to offer a highly personalized approach tailored to each client. With compassion and understanding, I work with each individual to help them build on their strengths and attain the personal growth and balance they are committed to accomplishing. 

For the past 15 years, I have worked in mental health- outpatient settings, community mental health, school settings, CAC (child advocacy center), and crisis responding in the field. I have on going experience working with child sexual abuse, physical abuse and neglect. I also have an extensive background leading child and teen groups. I have held a private practice seeing youth and adults since 2013. I am committed to creating a safe, healing and compassionate environment for Anchorage and Alaskan residents.  

I am a devoted mother of 3, loving wife, appreciate spending time with my blended family and take pride in my community. I enjoy walking my great pyrenees, Maisey, cross-country skiing, snuggling with my two cats, yoga, traveling, reading, playing, art, and being outside. I continue to look for opportunities of growth, a better mind-body balance and being my most authentic self both professionally and personally. 
​​License, Certifications and Advanced Training
  • Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), Alaska #815
  • Licensed Professional Counselor Supervisor (LPC-S), Alaska #145743
  • Registered Play Therapist Supervisor (RPT-S), #S2564
  • TF-CBT (Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy), certified and completed with Dr. Judith Cohen 
    • I am proudly 1 of the 4 clinicians certified in Anchorage, and 1 of the 8 all of Alaska (as of February 2022)
  • Trauma-Informed Expressive Arts Therapy, Advanced Certified
  • EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing), certified through EMDR Institute
  • Filial Play Therapy provider
  • Ongoing AKEDA and Eating Disorder trainings
  • Postpartum Support International (PSI) trained
  • Background as Registered Yoga Teacher (RYT), Certified with Yoga Alliance at the 200-Hour Level
  • Radiant Child Yoga Teacher, certified, specialty advanced training
  • CPI (Crisis Prevention Institute) basic and advanced training, certified
  • Marriage and Family Therapy specialization
  • I have regular ongoing trauma-informed specific training around PTSD, trauma and childhood abuse, and child maltreatment
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Education
  • Masters- Marriage and Family Therapy, Human Development and Family Studies- Colorado State University
  • Dual Bachelor Degrees- Psychology and Sociology- Northern Arizona University

Professional Activities and Memberships
  • American Counseling Association (ACA), since 2012
  • Association for Play Therapy (APT), since 2011
    • AKAPT: Board Member at Large, 2023
    • AKAPT: Vice President, 2024
  • EMDR Institute, since 2015
  • AKEDA (Alaska Eating Disorders Alliance), since 2023
  • Postpartum Support International (PSI), since 2020
  • WPATH: World Professional Association for Transgender Health, since 2022
  • The Red Pencil: Humanitarian Mission, since 2015 (read about The Red Pencil) 
  • American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT), 2008-2016
  "life is a balance of holding on...and letting go"
​I help clients:
  • foster self-compassion, healing, insight, and resiliency from emotional injuries
  • develop insight into the meaning behind anxiety and depression, and deep-rooted emotions; honor the message, and with mindfulness, proceed with the healing process which opens the door for the necessary shifts to reduce those symptoms
  • address and resolve issues stemming from trauma
  • identify outdated, destructive coping strategies, and work towards developing healthy strategies for living a higher quality of life
  • develop social, behavioral, emotional and relational competencies
  • address and recover from compassion fatigue (caregiver burn-out)
  • discover their position and purpose in life, explore their birth rights, talents & gifts
  • develop a sense of connectedness with others, including parent/child relationships
I am dedicated to helping clients reduce symptoms, feel better, and improve their quality of life.