About Us
You deserve support that sees your whole self — not just a diagnosis. Our therapists provide inclusive, neurodiversity-affirming care for those with divergent brains and bodies. Whether you're navigating ADHD, autism, chronic illness, sensory sensitivities, or the intersection of it all, we’re here to walk alongside you.
We hope to help you embrace your differences and learn how to live your best life by learning the most you can about yourself. Please reach out to us today so we can help you on your journey!
Meet the Team
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Cindy Finefrock, LPC
Hi, my name is Cindy Finefrock! I am a Licensed Professional Counselor, but you can also think of me as an expert compassionate listener and intrapersonal way-finder. I love to help people who long to feel understood, but who struggle to find relief amidst isolating experiences. I can guide you in your pursuit of healing and insight to create meaningfulness through expressing yourself and building relationships.
Throughout my experiences of living with a disability, counseling a diverse clientele, and working as a college missionary, I have learned how daunting it can feel to try to make sense of oneself and the world. Having a safe and supportive confidant is a deep need in this growth process. Authentically living out your self-actualized life is a gift to humanity, so I want to help you flourish on this soul-searching journey. If you are ready to start focusing on you, then reach out to me to set up your first session!
As you work with me, you will be refreshed by the business values that I uphold…
Honesty:
Integrity means genuinely caring about the good of others and being ethically minded in all of your dealings. True honesty embraces the light shed by accountability.
Empathy:
Empathy is not only asking, “How would I feel if I were in your shoes?” but it further asks, “How would I feel if I were you in your shoes?” Empathy is compassion in action and wisdom in silence. We should be quick to listen and slow to speak.
Love and Respect:
All people are equal in value and worth, yet one of the main things we share in common and can learn from is that we are each different. Every person matters, and how we treat each other should reflect love and kindness.
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Lauren Taylor, CRC, LPC
Hi there! My name is Lauren and I am a Licensed Professional Counselor and a Certified Rehabilitation Counselor (CRC). I received my Master’s degree from the University of North Texas in Rehabilitation Counseling. Both my educational background and my personal life have well-equipped me to work with people from a holistic approach through a CBT and REBT technique lens. I specialize in working with people with disabilities and therefore tend to work from a Feminist Theory viewpoint as it emphasizes diversity and self-empowerment. I have 3 years of experience working at the University of North Texas as an ENGAGE program coordinator where I work with students who are neurodivergent to achieve their social, personal, academic, and vocational goals. I also work for a non-profit in Dallas called To Be Like Me where I have worked alongside other LEADers with various disabilities to educate today's youth and communities about disability. In addition to my professional history, I was born with a physical disability called Muscular Dystrophy and have used a power chair since the age of 3. I like to say I just live my life on wheels! My life’s mission has always been to become a mental health counselor with a disability for people with disabilities, as well as for anyone seeking a therapist who will meet them where they are and grow together. I’m looking forward to meeting and working with you!
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Ezra Barajas, LPC Associate
Supervised by Amanda Russo, LPC-S
Life is messy. Therapy with me is a place to let that mess out, judgement free, so we can examine it together. Every client comes in with baggage that is weighing them down and for one (or more) hour a week, I take that baggage from you and hold it, allowing you room to breathe and feel genuine support. Together, we will ask the hard questions, and together we will traverse the twists and turns to find peace, building trust and confidence along the way.
From a person-centered base, I extend genuine empathy and unconditional positive regard so that we can be creative and curious about what you are struggling with. Pulling from Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, we will identify your values and use them to live a fulfilling and enriching life. I work with people who are queer, disabled, AuDHD, nerdy/geeky, and creative/artistic. I work with issues such as AuDHD, anxiety, depression, life transitions, identity formulation, confidence, and more.
I am a former teacher turned therapist because I found that the connections I made with people and the growth I saw them make when they had unconditional positive regard was a life force for me.
In my downtime, I am an avid reader of the Queer Horror genre of books and play cozy video games. I have two dogs named Louis (who sometimes makes an appearance in therapy) and Pepper.
Amanda Russo
Founder
Hi there! My name is Amanda Russo and I’m the clinical director of Balanced Life Solutions. I am a licensed professional counselor supervisor (LPC-S). I’ve lived in the Dallas/Fort Worth area my whole life. I went to The University of Texas in Dallas and obtained a Bachelor’s in Child Learning and Development and a Bachelor’s in Psychology. During undergrad, I entered an internship working with autistic children, which spurred my love for working with the neurodivergent community. I then went on to study at The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center where I received a Master’s in Rehabilitation Counseling. It was during my time at UTSW that I discovered my passion for neuropsychological and educational assessment where I worked for both the UTSW Psychological Services Department and the Parkland Trauma Unit.
After school, I went on to work in several private practices, local community mental health clinics and public schools. In addition to being a counselor, I’m also a certified teacher in elementary education, special education, and school counseling. I’m extremely passionate about advocating for the appropriate educational services for children with special needs.
After working for the schools, I did neuroscience research and treatment for divergent social cognition with the University of Texas at Dallas’ Brain Performance Institute. There, I utilized technology to provide treatment in an online interface, focusing on improving childrens’ ability to understand other peoples’ thoughts and implicit social information. Additionally, I gave presentations around the DFW metroplex focusing on how educators and parents could help foster social cognition.
I have expertise in neurodivergent diagnoses including autism, ADHD, and learning differences including gifted learners. Additionally, I have a strong passion for working with neurodivergent women and AFAB individuals as they are chronically under- and misdiagnosed due to their presentation of symptoms.
When I’m not counseling, I love spending time with my three children. I also enjoy singing, traveling, and reading books, especially on the topics of neuroscience and psychology.
FAQs
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Here at Balanced Life Solutions, we have been working with neurodivergent individuals for almost 20 years. We know how hard it can be to find a neurodivergent-affirming clinician. We firmly believe assessment and therapy should be accessible. We are ready to meet you where you are, and work with you where you want to be.
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If you’re using your insurance, your fee will be dependent upon your rate with your insurance provider.
For those without insurance, or those who will have to see us Out of Network, our LPC Associate fees are $70 per 50 minute session and LPC fees are $150 per 50 minute session.
We do have sliding scale fees for therapy for those who qualify. We provide payment plans for assessments. Please email us (hello@balancedlifelpc.com) to learn more.
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Yes! Our intake process ensures that you will receive a thorough evalution to make sure you know exactly what your strengths and weaknesses are, and how to best support you in your therapeutic journey.
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If you are seeking individual counseling services, this timeline is highly unique. Given that many of our clients are neurodivergent, it is not uncommon for therapeutic relationships to take 6 months to several years depending on the situation. The length of your treatment does not indicate the success or failure of your experience with therapy.
If you’re seeking only testing, the process will include a few hours of testing on your own, an interview session, some additional “face-to-face” testing, and then the write-up process. This all typically takes approximately 2-6 weeks depending on the time of year.
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Yes! We are currently paneled with Cigna, Aetna, BCBS, United/Optum, and Baylor Scott and White. We also can provide a superbill you have other insurance and would like to submit for out of network reimbursement.
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While there are many forms of neurodivergence and the definition is fluid, people typically associate this term with what the DSM-5-TR describes as “neurodevelopmental disorders." This includes autism, ADHD, or learning differences. It’s possible to also have more than one of these diagnoses.
Neurodivergent individuals often feel that they are at odds with the world around them, but that’s because the world was built primarily for neurotypicals, by neurotypicals. We can help you or your neurodivergent loved one find ways to advocate for and cope with these differences.
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Yes! We work well with people with depression, anxiety, parenting, disability, and a variety of other concerns. We also work with loved ones of neurodivergent individuals who may be seeking further understanding of their loved one’s neurotype.
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Yes! We see adolescents ages 13 and up, families, and couples. Children 12 and younger are taken on a case by case basis dependent upon how well they are able to handle telehealth therapy.