Our Team

Jaime Nelson is a board certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner and has been practicing in the Austin community since 2011.  She founded Balcones Psychiatry and Mental Health in 2020. She has experience in a variety of settings including inpatient psychiatric hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, assisted living communities, group homes and outpatient private practice.  Jaime is currently sees clients ages 10 and up.  In addition to her clinical practice, Jaime has worked as a Clinical Instructor in Nursing at The University of Texas School of Nursing and been active in local and state professional organizations.

Katherine is a board certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner. She has been serving the Austin community since 2012 and enjoys establishing rapport with clients focusing on medication management and brief psychotherapy to exlpore client’s personal goals for growth and change. Katherine has additional specialties in sex therapy focusing on the importance of sexuality and relationships. She specializes in psychiatric evaluations, psychiatric medication management and psychotherapy for individuals to improve coping mechanisms, mindfulness, relationships and sexual health. Katherine sees clients 18 and up.

Kendall Kayworth (Altaffer) moved to Austin in 2011 after graduating from Baylor University’s School of Nursing. She worked as a pediatric neurology nurse at Dell Children’s Medical Center for four years before obtaining her masters degree in nursing as a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner at The University of Texas at Arlington. She has experience working with children, adolescents and adults in both inpatient and outpatient settings.  Most recently she worked with children in a community mental health clinic. Kendall is currently accepting new patients ages 8 and up at Balcones Psychiatry and Mental Health. 

Courtney is a board-certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner who holds a Doctor of Nursing Practice from the UT Health at San Antonio. As an RN with over a decade of experience, she has provided care to individuals across a wide range of healthcare settings, from long-term care for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities to clinical research, community mental health, substance abuse and medical detox, and state hospital and correctional systems. Courtney aims to support individuals as they pursue their wellness journey, providing collaborative, evidence-based approaches tailored to their unique needs.

Meredith Langguth is a board certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner who is committed to building compassionate and effective therapeutic alliances with her patients. Meredith applies a patient-centered approach that combines evidence-based treatments with the patient’s own individual goals to promote the best possible outcomes. Meredith practices a whole-person approach to care that incorporates a lifestyle-centric perspective on wellbeing. In her nursing career, she has worked in both inpatient and outpatient settings serving populations across the lifespan. Meredith is an LGBTQIA+ ally and strives to provide a supportive and safe space. Meredith is currently taking patients 12 and up.

Mirella is a board-certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner who provides medication management and brief psychotherapy through a holistic approach. She believes in the mind-body connection and aims to empower individuals by collaborating with clients to design tailored approaches to treatments. She obtained her Bachelors of Science in Nursing from Baylor University and her Masters of Science in Nursing from The University of Texas at Austin. While at UT, she was selected to join Dell Medical School’s Integrated Behavioral Health Scholar program with a focus on youth population. Prior to joining Balcones Psychiatry, Mirella has experience with individuals of all ages in inpatient and outpatient settings, as well as respite care.

Linda is a board certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner with roots in the Austin community since 1997.  She has been actively practicing as a RN for over 30 years bringing an abundance of experience in healthcare and collaboration w/ individuals from diverse backgrounds.  She completed her MSN at University of Texas Austin in 2019 and began her private practice.   Linda approaches patient care with a strong belief in Carl Rogers' person-centered therapy, embracing the ideal of unconditional positive regard, and building alliances through collaboration w/ patients and incorporation of their goals as the foundation of treatment planning. She welcomes all clients from all backgrounds and philosophies, ages 12 to 65.  Linda enjoys spending her personal time w/ her family, traveling, skiing, socializing with friends and finding antiques, which, like us, carry our own unique story.  

Taylor Preddy is a board certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner and worked in the emergency room as registered nurse for 9 years before obtaining her masters at University of Texas at Tyler. She is dedicated to creating a judgement free, down-to-earth environment, where patients can feel safe to be authentically themselves and work through their struggles in a patient-centered therapeutic alliance. Taylor is LGBTQI affirming and is familiar with working with athletes and healthcare professionals. She believes in tailoring mental health care specifically to each individual and their unique needs. Taylor is currently accepting new patients 12 and up.

Sabrina Watkins is a board certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner and has been practicing in the Austin community since 2014 after graduating from The University of Texas at Austin. She has practiced in a variety of settings including community psychiatric clinics, respite care, emergency observation units, mobile crisis outreach teams, and outpatient private practice. She believes in creating a treatment plan with you not at you, giving consideration to the person as a whole, and transparency in treatment. Sabrina is currently accepting clients ages 14 and up.

Sarah is a board-certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner. She earned her BA in Psychology from Southwestern University and her MSN at from UT Austin. Sarah is passionate about creating caring and collaborative relationships with patients and providing evidence-based treatments to fit their unique needs. Her treatment style is characterized by commitment, thoughtful curiosity, and unconditional compassion. She is affirming and celebrating of all people, and she is motivated to help patients meaningfully improve their mental health and wellbeing. Sarah is currently accepting patients ages 12 and up, with telemedicine and some limited in-person appointments available.

Zack is a board-certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner. He completed his undergraduate degree in psychology with a focus on treating underserved populations.  He completed both his RN education and his Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner MSN at the University of Texas at Austin. His past work includes behavioral therapy with children/adolescents on the autism spectrum, case management in community mental health, and nursing in crisis, residential and addiction treatment settings. Zack aims to provide person-centered care with a holistic approach.

Martha uses a holistic, client-centered, evidence-based approach and aims to partner with clients and other providers in an integrated care model. She received her MSN in Adult Health and a post masters in Psychiatric Mental Health Advance Practice Nursing from UT Austin. Martha has experience as a case manager and counselor for psychiatric and substance abuse patients and their families. Martha previously worked as a Yoga and Meditation Instructor and massage therapist. In her free time, she enjoys food, conversation, audio books, hiking, and connecting with nature.

Maggie is a board-certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner with experience in community mental health, outpatient, and inpatient settings. She is passionate about making people feel understood and collaborating with them to achieve functional outcomes. Maggie is committed to practicing psychiatry with a focus on social justice, recognizing how mental health challenges are compounded by inequality. While she welcomes all people, Maggie has a particular interest in women's health and the LGBTQIA community. In her personal time, she enjoys connecting with friends and nature. Maggie is currently accepting patients aged 18 and older.

Jonathan is a board-certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner who provides psychiatric diagnostic services, and medication management with brief psychotherapeutic interventions.  He seeks to provide psychiatric services for individuals across the lifespan from adolescents to older adults. His approach to care is of a holistic, collaborative, empowering, practical and evidence-based nature in order to improve the lives of those of whom he provides care.  He believes that the patient-provider relationship is the mechanism through which change occurs.  

Ashley is a board certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP-BC). Since 2010, she has served locally in various mental health settings, including inpatient, outpatient, and residential treatment. She specializes in the treatment and management of depression, bipolar, PTSD, substance use disorders, anxiety disorders, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder, and psychotic disorders. With a focus on medication management and psychotherapy that corresponds with the individual’s goals, she believes that the key to mental health is through partnership. She blends strength and sensitivity in her promotion of health and wellness. Rooted in this balance, her beliefs and values reflect her passion for helping others on their journey to better mental health. Ashley sees individuals ages 8 and older.