Therapists in Austin, TX

When I was in high school, I struggled with my sexuality. The struggle lead to maladaptive coping skills, depression and anxiety. I felt so alone, scared, and like no one understood what I was going through! I needed help but I was too afraid to ask for it! One day, a school counselor, who I've never interacted with before, noticed that something was wrong with me and she reached out, gave me a helping hand, and put me into group therapy with other teens like me! I wasn't alone any more, I wasn't the only one questioning my sexuality, there were other kids like me! Getting help was the first step towards acceptance and self-love!

Accepting NEW clients! My counseling approach focuses on providing holistic, wellness-based care where we balance an exploration and deep understanding of your inner world with an energetic and emotional release of past pain and old patterns. I aim for every client to leave sessions feeling energized and in greater alignment with themselves and the world around them, as well as, a sense of fulfillment, balance, and peace. I utilize body-based and experiential techniques from a trauma-informed lens to address stuck energy and wounds from the past.

I understand that assessment and therapy are very personal and vulnerable processes and I believe you will find me to be straightforward, knowledgeable, and warm. I strive to work collaboratively with adolescent and adult clients and their families to help them develop insight into their difficulties and determine how to make meaningful and lasting changes. Issues that often bring clients to my office include seeking answers or assistance through a psychological assessment, addressing addictive behaviors, the effects of trauma, or navigating a life transition.

Do you feel like you keep repeating the same patterns in your relationships, over and over again? You’re probably used to being excellent at what you do (you high-achiever, you!), but somehow the harder you try, the worse things get. You’re probably starting to believe that you’re never going to figure this whole love thing out. But you’re ready to make a change. You’re ready to show up wholeheartedly in your relationship. You’re ready to actually heal the cycles of hurt, urgency, and chaos that just keep showing up. Most of all, you’re ready to feel safe - with yourself and also with your partner. I want to help get you there.

My style is described as caring, compassionate and collaborative. I provide a safe, supportive environment to talk about difficult issues, better understand feelings and thoughts, and increase overall sense of well being and hopefulness. Areas of expertise include anxiety, depression, relationship/intimacy problems, low self esteem and major life transitions.

Brian is passionate about helping clients build insight into their emotions, behaviors, and relationships outside of therapy in order to better achieve their goals. He has a relational approach to psychotherapy, in which he works to build a strong rapport with his clients through which he can help them feel heard, understood, validated, and supported in their efforts to make changes in their lives. Brian currently works with clients ages 13+.

The theme of my practice is "Embracing Change". As a Licensed Professional Counselor with over 30 years of experience in the behavioral health field, I work with people who are struggling in relationships, work life balance, burnout, men's issues, sexuality/sexual issues, depression, anxiety and those who are feeling stuck in your personal growth. I work a great deal with those who are building their lives professionally and developing their emotional and spiritual selves. My clientele is largely made up of professionals and entrepreneurs. I also enjoy working with college students also who are looking forward to the future.

My unwavering passion lies in the pursuit of healing for individuals who have undergone traumatic or life-altering experiences. I am deeply committed to guiding my clients, spanning across all age groups including children, adults, and families, towards cultivating positive self-perceptions and fortifying their interpersonal connections, thereby fostering a sense of tranquility, wholeness, and security within themselves. Recognizing the unique needs of each individual, I acknowledge that there is no one-size-fits-all approach to healing. As such, I have undergone comprehensive training in various therapeutic modalities.

When dealing with difficult relationships & environments, deciding to stay or leave is hard. Mixed emotions may arise, such as resentment, fear, sadness, guilt, relief and/or hope. Thoughts about the unknown, how the children will react, potential loneliness, and judgement from others can be overwhelming and exhausting.

Are you struggling in your relationships with others, including families, friends, loved-ones, and co-workers? I have extensive experience working with individuals, families, and children from diverse backgrounds with a range of mental health issues, from severe and chronic mental illness, acute crisis situations, to phase of life difficulties and transitions. I also have expertise in working with gifted and twice-exceptional children and their families, providing consultation to families and collaborating with schools and other professionals.

I believe that many of the problems individuals face can be worked through by gaining increased insight and knowledge about oneself. I also believe individuals heal themselves and often just need an objective, caring presence to help them take the first step. I specialize in both therapy and psychological assessment and frequently work with psychiatrists, primary care physicians, OB/GYNs, and other physicians in the collaborative treatment of patients.

**CURRENTLY ACCEPTING NEW CLIENTS** One thing that you will quickly learn about me is my passion for people. I strive to care for others no matter the journey they are on. I value the story that each individual holds and have a curiosity about life and people that benefits me well when working with clients. My expertise is working with teenagers, young adults, and families. The teen and young adult years consists of a lot of change, growth, and sometimes turmoil. I find it essential and necessary for young people to be able to work through and process this life stage in a safe and trusting environment.

Loss can take numerous forms, not only through death, but through loss of relationships, health, roles, jobs, and dreams. If you find yourself struggling with transition or grief from any loss, past or present, congratulations for having the courage to seek support. My career-long specialty has been devoted exclusively to grief and loss, and I consider it an honor to work with those navigating the unfamiliar terrain of grief.

I will demonstrate a full and accepting understanding of your difficulties, and I will listen keenly and show complete respect. I work to make sessions time-effective, frequent when needed and intermittent when feasible. We'll collaborate toward pragmatic solutions, and work toward your goals, not mine. I will challenge you and exert "gentle" pressure at times. I check regularly on how you feel about the therapy process and our working relationship. The quality of our working relationship is fundamental. We expect problems to arise at times, and we take care of them right away.

I hope to partner with you! I will offer clinical expertise in perinatal issues, trauma, and attachment. I lean into my own lived perinatal experiences within the client-therapist dynamic. What I’ve found matters most is finding someone to walk alongside you. We are wired for connection, and despite what the movies portray the fertility, pregnancy and/or postpartum experience to look like, it can be a time where you feel cut off from others and yourself in unexpected ways. Previous pregnancy loss and miscarriage can also impact an experience we’ve longed for.

Do you often find yourself filled with anxiety about things in the future, setting boundaries, or your relationships in general? Do you sometimes have intrusive thoughts related to current stressors or past trauma? This is exhausting, and you deserve relief. I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist Associate (LMFT-A), who is trained in working with couples and individuals, as well as EMDR therapy for individuals.

You're wanting to start counseling and here you are, at the first step. So how do you choose a therapist out of a sea of faces? I think the truth is pretty simple: you go with your gut. Lots of evidence shows that it is the counseling relationship-rather than theory or modality used-that is the causal factor of change. It's my firm belief that the overriding factors needed in that relationship are trust, patience, and kindness. You'll get those from me because that's what I give myself. That's what leads to change.

I will try you if you are willing to try me. That said, I tend to wind up with a lot of teenagers and young adults, for some reason.

As Dr. Irvin D. Yalom says, client and therapist are "fellow travelers" and I would love to travel with you on this journey. I believe you have the strength and power to change your life, but sometimes stuff gets in the way. I want to help you remove those blocks! I'm a relational therapist who uses attachment theory, some cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), a dash of dialectic behavior therapy (DBT), and quite a bit of humor in the therapy room. How do we get started on this journey together?