Looking for the best? Our therapists hone their craft to help you as effectively and quickly as possible. We keep up with the latest research and methods so you know you’re getting the most current approaches to the treatment of depression, anxiety, self-esteem issues, and any other areas of focus you may seek our help with. Many therapists graduate from school, but fewer attend world-class training programs outside of school to take their skills to the next level. Here at Austin Professional Counseling, we believe in training at the highest levels so we can deliver world-class therapy to you. Often, that means traveling across the U.S. seeking out the best and brightest clinicians and educators to learn from, and bringing that knowledge and expertise back to Austin.
Our therapists engage in multiple training groups across a variety of disciplines and follow the latest methodologies in the field. When it comes to couples therapy, individual therapy, support of emotions and empathy, self-compassion for self-esteem, nervous system regulation, group therapy, or mindfulness, we study and practice the best approaches in the world to help you as effectively as we can. Our therapists stand out in the community, and win many awards, including ‘Top Mental Health Professional‘ in Austin in 2016, 2017, and 2018 by the readers of Austin Fit Magazine. We’ve also been featured in Austin Woman, Austin Monthly, the Austin American-Statesman, local TV and radio shows and led presentations at Google and for numerous professional therapy associations.
Nationally-recognized therapist John Howard trains therapists across the U.S. and internationally and helps ensure that all our therapists adhere to current top practices. Harvard-trained Psychologist Dr. Tracy Carver, our Clinical Director, brings her expertise across a wide-range of therapy methods and helps to keep our standards for your care at a high level. As a group, we often anonymously confer on situations we’re working on, to receive additional input from other professionals. And when needed, we consult or collaborate with professionals in other disciplines such as psychiatry, nutrition, assessments, and neuropsychology, ensuring the best care and most effective solutions to your problems. Not all therapists understand the power of working within a treatment team when needed, or feel comfortable getting on the phone with a psychiatrist or medical doctor to consult on a issue. That’s just one of the things we do that sets us apart from many others in our field.
We also believe in growing ourselves–engaging in our own personal growth work as therapists–so that we’re walking our talk. Our therapists are often themselves in therapy, part of a process of ongoing education and self-exploration that we encourage. Good therapy doesn’t just come from book knowledge or credentials, it comes from a great relationship between the client and the therapist, your motivation as client to do your work, and the personhood and presence of the therapist–which is why we believe that doing our own work on ourselves as therapists is important.
What difference can state-of-the-art therapy make? The field of psychology is always revising its best practices and treatment protocols. Psychotherapy has gone through many evolutions already, from analysis, to behavioral approaches, to cognitive therapy, family therapy, experiential approaches, interpersonal methods, and most recently in the last 10-15 years, the advent of neuroscience. While all of these methods have their place depending on the application, therapy has made great advances in the areas of emotional intelligence and support, trauma, understanding the nervous system, engaging the mind/body connection, and facilitating therapy that helps both the brain and the mind learn new tricks. Neuroscience-informed therapy often makes therapy more effective because we work with the brain, rather than against it, and help you develop new capability and skills both biologically and mentally.
If you’re struggling with your relationship, or seeking a partner, newer approaches to couples therapy and dating can help you be much more effective in your objectives.
While we adhere to state-of-the-art practices and learning at the highest levels, we believe in delivering our care for you in a warm, friendly, and connected manner. We keep it real, engaging with you person-to-person and really listening, not putting on airs or playing the “intellectual authority.” We believe real relationships that feel close and are close are the basis for great therapy. If we don’t feel our style is a good fit for you, we’ll discuss it with you, or you can with us, but for those seeking a deep place for personal-growth work, you’ve found the right place!
Whether you’re dealing with an issue, want some advice, or just want to take your life or relationship to a higher level, we’re here to assist you with your goals. Utilizing the very latest approaches in our field gives us a leg up to help you with common or uncommon issues such as depression, anxiety, relationships, sexual issues, self-esteem, spiritual/existential purpose exploration, and more! Give us a call!
