Austin Psychological & Testing Center, LLP was started in 2000 by Dr. Kelley Ahr, clinical psychologist.  Prior, she worked for Austin Police Department as a Victim Services manager, in charge of the domestic violence unit.  She started conducting learning disability evaluations in 1994 at a college in Los Angeles while attending graduate school.  She received her undergraduate degree from Trinity University in San Antonio and her doctorate in psychology in 1998 from California School of Professional Psychology.  

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Dr. Ahr grew up in South Austin and attended Travis and Bowie High Schools.  She and her husband have four children and, in the past couple of years, have been working on a historic building renovation project in Southwest Texas, which is now an art gallery.  Dr. Ahr holds a license through Texas Parks and Wildlife to rehab orphaned fawns and is a published photographer.  

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For Dr. Ahr's Resume Click Here

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Dr. Harman-Rodriguez has been selected for the Austin Awards for Licensed Psychologist two years in a row (2023 and 2024) and now qualifies for the 2024 Austin Business Hall of Fame.  Click for additional information:  Press Release (distinction-company.com)

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Dr. Harman-Rodriquez received her doctorate in clinical psychology in 2012. She worked at the Children's Assessment Center, with families impacted by child sexual abuse, in the areas of forensic evaluation, therapy, and psychological assessment. She recognized her passion for assessment during her schooling, training, and work. She moved to Austin and joined Austin Psychological and Testing Center in 2015, where she has conducted assessments ever since. She was made Clinical Director at APTC in 2021. Dr. Harman-Rodriquez is dedicated to providing well-rounded, ethical evaluations for all of her clients to provide diagnostic clarification and further guide future treatment planning. 

Christina’s roots are at APTC. She completed her doctoral practicum under the supervision of Dr. Kelley Ahr at APTC from March 2005 to March 2007. She was employed full-time as a psychometrician while continuing to attend school from March 2007 to December 2007. She moved to Mississippi in 2008 to work with adolescent trauma victims from Hurricane Katrina in Bay St. Louis. While in Mississippi, she worked at Mississippi State Hospital at a crisis intervention center and then completed her doctoral internship there on the forensics, administration, and health psych rotations. She then worked full-time there while she finished her degree. Christina graduated with her doctorate in psychology (PsyD) in December 2014. A Texan at heart, she was excited to move back to Texas in the summer of 2015. Before returning to APTC in January of 2019, she was the Clinical Director at a drug and alcohol treatment center in the hill country. Christina’s education and experience have primarily been focused on the treatment of trauma, anxiety, and depressive disorders, child and adolescent psychology, crisis intervention, stress management, and psychological evaluations. When she isn't working, she enjoys spending time with family and friends, live Texas music, reading, and being outdoors.

Helena Kopecky is a Licensed Psychologist, who is passionate about helping people succeed. She received her doctorate in Clinical Psychology from the University of Rochester in 2005. Her previous positions include Postdoctoral Fellow at the University of Rochester’s Counseling Center and Staff Psychologist at California Institute of Technology. In both of these positions, Helena served as a clinician and clinical supervisor and also delivered psychoeducational workshops and training sessions. Currently, Helena splits her time between APTC and teaching at Austin Community College. In her free time, Helena loves spending time with family and friends, going on hikes and reading books.

Frances serves as the Office Manager for APTC, and she has worked in this role since April 2007. She was born in Taft, TX. She moved to Austin at the age of five and continues to reside in the Austin area with her family. Frances graduated in 1995 and has 17+ years of experience in billing. She has excellent customer service skills and is exceptionally friendly and outgoing; in short, she loves her job and is the perfect fit to make clients feel welcome and comfortable throughout the entirety of the assessment process. Frances is always willing to go that extra mile to help all our new and existing patients. Please feel free to contact Frances if you have any questions regarding appointments, records requests, insurance, or billing.

Amanda has worked for APTC since December 2012 and assists with office administration tasks, including scheduling, billing, and all filing. Amanda attended Texas State University for five years, pursuing a bachelor’s degree in general studies with minors in mass communications, geography, and international studies before taking a break from coursework when she had her son in 2013. She graduated from Elgin High School in 2007 and has worked passionately in customer service since then. She loves to help people and does her best to make the scheduling process as quick and easy as possible.

Julie began working as a psychometrist at APTC in early 2022. She received her Bachelor’s of Arts in Psychology and Sociology from St. Edward’s University in Austin. Prior to joining APTC, Julie worked in Applied Behavioral Analysis, providing therapeutic intervention to children with Autism Spectrum Disorder. She also has experience working with children in a school setting through after school programs, working towards students’ social and emotional well-being. She grew up in Austin and enjoys going hiking at the green belt, crafting, and painting.

Luis received an Honorable Discharge from the United States Navy in 2009 after twelve years continuous active-duty service. He has worked as a psychometrist (2009-2011) for the inpatient Traumatic Brain Injury Ward at the National Naval Medical Center providing cognitive and psychological assessments for wounded warriors. From 2011 until 2021, Luis worked as a psychometrist in the Outpatient Psychological Assessment Clinic, Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, focusing on the mental and cognitive health of active-duty members and retirees. From 2021 until 2023, he worked as a psychometrist at the Neurobehavioral Institute of Austin focusing on the neuropsychological evaluations of intellectual abilities, autism, memory, academic achievement, and personality/emotional functioning of both children and adults. Also, in 2023, he worked as a Registered Behavioral Technician
for Action Behavior Center in Austin focusing on the day-to-day skill development of children with developmental disabilities or autism.

Caitlyn is a pre-doctoral intern at APTC. She has been a Licensed Professional Counselor since 2022 and has worked with a variety of populations, such as individuals with mood, personality, and substance use disorders. Caitlyn is currently pursuing a doctoral degree in clinical psychology at California Southern University, where she is focusing her dissertation topic on the impacts of screen time on children ages 0-5, and on track to graduate in the Fall of 2025. In her free time, Caitlyn enjoys indulging in reality TV, socializing with friends, going to the gym, and spending time with her family and pets.

Heather Pantalone, LCSW-S, PsyD Intern, has a diverse background. Born and raised in Massachusetts, she earned an Associate of Art in Humanities at St. Petersburg College, FL and a Bachelor of Art in Humanities at Thomas Edison State College, NJ. She has a Master of Social Work from Syracuse University, NY. Presently she is finishing her Doctorate in Clinical Psychology from California Southern University, CA. Her doctoral research focus is on conflict resolution and eco-therapy.

Heather is an Army Commissioned Officer Veteran. As a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, she has extensive experience providing services to individuals, couples, families, active duty Military and Veterans. She is Level 2 trained in Gottman Therapy and is a Gottman Seven Principles Leader. 

By being a contributing member to several social organizations, Heather demonstrates a passion for all people to have access to good nutrition and clean water, and for pollution free oceans, lakes, and rivers. When not practicing psychology, Heather enjoys spending time with loved ones, listening to music, landscaping, homemaking, hiking, camping, and traveling.

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Christian is a bilingual Psychometrist at APTC working towards licensure as a Licensed Psychological Associate (LPA). He completed his Master of Science degree in Clinical Psychology with a specialization of neuropsychology from the University of Texas at Tyler. He has previous experience working in ABA therapy with children and adolescents with developmental disabilities. During his graduate practicum experience, Christian administered a variety of neuropsychological and psychological assessments and provided counseling services to individuals of all ages. When not in the office, he enjoys spending time with loved ones, exploring Austin, and playing pickleball.

Sydney is an Office Assistant with APTC at our South Austin location. She moved from Nebraska to Texas when she was nine and has been living in Austin since. She’s been working in customer service since 2016 and has had her own side business of photography since 2014. She’s never too busy to help others and loves interacting with new friendly faces. She is always happy to answer all questions and help clients understand the process of assessment. Sydney’s number one goal is to always greet you with a welcoming smile and to make your visit with APTC as calming and comfortable as possible.

Lynn thoroughly enjoys working as an Office Assistant with APTC. She enjoys interacting with people and aims to help make the scheduling process as easy as possible.

She is originally from the UK where she qualified as a Registered Nurse in 1992 and went on to qualify as a Nurse Practitioner in Ophthalmology.

She enjoyed a fulfilling career both in the Royal Navy and UK National Health Service before retiring from Nursing and making the move to Austin, Tx with her husband.

She loves the Austin Vibe and live music. She enjoys travelling and spending time with family and friends at the lakes, beaches and in the mountains.