Mikaela Frissell, LCSW, is a senior licensed clinical social worker in UT Health Austin’s Musculoskeletal Institute. She is also a team lead as a part of UT Health Austin’s Integrated Behavioral Health care team. She specializes in patient-centered approaches that optimize health and social functioning, including motivational interviewing, cognitive-behavioral therapy and solution-focused counseling.
Frissell earned her bachelor’s degree in political science from The University of Vermont and her master’s degree in social work from The University of Texas at Austin. She completed an internship in integrated behavioral health through the Central Texas Veterans Health Care System and a fellowship in integrated behavioral health through the Integrated Behavioral Health Scholars Program at The University of Texas at Austin. She has also volunteered with AmeriCorps and served as a case manager for pregnant and parenting youth in Travis County.
Frissell has extensive experience in a variety of clinical settings. She has cared for individuals with chronic physical and mental health conditions as well as those navigating homelessness and families in crisis. She has also provided substance abuse treatment and basic needs assistance. She formerly served as an intensive clinical case manager for the Downtown Austin Community Court and has also served as a social worker for the Austin State Hospital. Her clinical interests include interventions to address depression, anxiety, crisis and trauma as well as case management and resource navigation. She has served as a field instructor for students attending The University of Texas at Austin Steve Hicks School of Social Work and is a member Phi Alpha Honors Society for social workers.