Frequently Asked Questions

FAQs

  • How Can Our Austin Therapist's Help?

    Austin therapists at Austin Counseling and Trauma Specialists offer an array of counseling services that can help those struggling with trauma, grief, gender, PTSD, and many other issues. Our therapists are experienced in helping clients work through their issues and reach their counseling goals.


    We believe that every individual is unique, and we tailor our approach to meet the specific needs of each client. We offer a variety of services and approaches to help people heal, like individual, couples, and group counseling. We will also choose from a variety of techniques to help, such as talk therapy, EMDR, CPT, mindfullness, and many other effective ways to help clients heal. 


    Our team of skilled of Austin therapists will work with you to develop a treatment plan that meets your needs and helps you reach your goals. We understand that making the decision to seek help can be difficult, but we assure you that you will be in good hands with our team. We will work with you to create a safe, supportive, and healing environment where you can begin your counseling journey. 


    Our approach is holistic, which means your counselor will consider all aspects of your life when working with you. They will help you evaluate your goals and develop a plan to help you reach those goals. Healthy coping skills, improving relationships, and increasing resilience in the face of stress are some ways counselors can help. If you are ready to begin the journey to healing, please contact us today.

  • Can Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Help for Anxiety?

    Yes, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) can be an effective treatment for anxiety. In fact, research has shown that CBT is one of the most effective treatments for anxiety disorders.


    CBT helps people to understand how their thoughts and beliefs contribute to their feelings and behavior. Once people become aware of the thoughts that are contributing to their anxiety, they can learn new ways of thinking that will help them feel better. CBT also teaches people skills for managing stress and anxiety-provoking situations.


    At Austin Counseling and Trauma Specialists, we help clients mange and cope with anxiety and some of our counselors use various CBT techniques to help clients do just that. 


    We understand that anxiety can be debilitating, so we offer our clients a sense of warmth, understanding, and support. We believe that self-compassion is key to healing, and we work to create a safe and supportive environment for our clients. If you're looking for relief from your anxiety symptoms, we encourage you to give us a call. We would be happy to answer any questions you have and help you get started on your journey to healing.

  • What is EMDR and How Does it Work?

    EMDR is a type of counseling that helps people deal with the aftermath of traumatic experiences. It stands for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing.


    EMDR therapy is often used to help people who have experienced a trauma, such as a car accident, physical abuse, or sexual assault. It is also very effective for people who have PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder), anxiety disorders, depression, phobias, and much more.


    EMDR therapy helps to reprocess the memories that have been stored in a person's brain after a traumatic event. The counselor will help the person to focus on specific memories while they follow patterns of bilateral stimulation (left-right eye movement, hand taps, or audio beats). This process can help to reduce the emotional intensity of these memories and make them less intrusive in the person's life. 


    EMDR helps clients process their thoughts and emotions related to their traumatic experiences. EMDR allows our clients to reprocess the memories in a more adaptive way, which can lead to significant relief from symptoms such as intrusive thoughts, flashbacks, nightmares, and emotional numbness.


    At Austin Counseling and Trauma Specialists, we offer EMDR therapy as one of our many services. Many of our counselors are trained and experienced in EMDR therapy, and we can help you work through your trauma in a safe and supportive environment.


    If you're interested in learning more about EMDR therapy, or if you would like to schedule an appointment, please contact us today. We look forward to helping you on your journey to healing.

  • What are CBT techniques for anxiety?

    Austin Counseling and Trauma Specialists use a number of cognitive-behavioral techniques for anxiety, which have been found to be effective in the treatment of anxiety disorders.


    CBT is a type of talk therapy that helps people understand how their thoughts and feelings affect their behavior. It can be helpful in managing anxiety by teaching people how to change the way they think about things that make them anxious, and by teaching them coping skills to deal with stressful situations.


    One common technique is cognitive restructuring, which helps people change the way they think about difficult situations. For example, someone with social anxiety might think that everyone is judging them harshly, but with cognitive restructuring they would learn to think more realistically about social interactions. This would then help them feel less anxious in those situations.


    Another techniques is journal and thought records to challenge negative thoughts. Deep breathing, role playing, scheduling, and even behavior experiments can be used to help manage anxiety too. 


    If you are experiencing anxiety or if you're interested in learning more about any of the services offered by Austin Counseling and Trauma Specialists, reach out to us today to get started on the road to healing.

  • Why Should I Choose Austin Counseling and Trauma Specialists for Counseling?

    There are many reasons to choose Austin Counseling and Trauma Specialists for counseling. We specialize in helping clients work through traumas and provide guidance and support during difficult times. Our team of counselors is highly skilled and experienced in handling a variety of issues, so you can be confident that you're getting the best possible care. Our staff also has a very diverse background making it likely there is someone who would be a great fit for what you want to work on. We offer a supportive and confidential environment in which to explore your thoughts and feelings in ways that foster healing and personal growth. Our goal is to help you achieve your full potential and live a life enjoy. We also offer convenient scheduling options to make counseling more accessible for everyone. If you're ready to start working on healing and growth, we encourage you to give us a call.

  • Is Remote TeleHealth in Texas Good for Counseling?

    Yes, remote telehealth counseling is an excellent way to provide care for clients who may not be able to access traditional in-office counseling. Telehealth can eliminate barriers to counseling in that those in rural areas can gain access to a broader range of counselors and specialities that may not be available in their area. Telehealth also reduces time off by not having to drive to sessions. It may even save money by not using fuel to drive. Finally, telehealth also allows more flexiblity for scheduling sessions due to travel time. 


    Austin Counseling and Trauma Specialists offers a wide range of services that are delivered through telehealth technology. This includes individual, couples, and some group counseling sessions.

    Our counselors are highly skilled and have a great deal of experience working with clients through telehealth platforms. We take great pride in providing quality counseling services whether in-person or via telehealth. We use the latest technology to ensure that our sessions are high quality, safe, and confidential and provide the best possible experience for our clients. 


    Our goal is always to help our clients overcome their challenges and improve their lives. ACTS provides excellent care for their clients and has helped many people overcome mental health challenges. If you're looking for quality counseling, please contact us today to begin your counseling journey with us!

  • What is the Difference Between a Counselor and a Therapist?

    The words counselor and therapist are used interchangeably and there is no diffrence. A professional conselor or therapist is licensed by their state and has minimal education of a Master's Degree to allow them to get licensed. Sometimes called a psychotherapist, counselors are trained specifically to work with clients to work through mental health issues that are bothering them. Some times the general term therapist can be confused with other disciplines like physical theapist, speech therapist and other professions.


    At Austin Counseling and Trauma Specialists, our counselors are all trained to work with a wide variety of topics and issues to help as many clients as possible. Reach out to us today to see how we can help you! 

  • Does Counseling Really Help?

    Absolutely! Counselling can be an extremely effective way to help people work through their problems.  Counseling can help you learn more about yourself, develop healthy coping mechanisms, challenge faulty logic, reframe ideas, heal old hurts, discover ways to be gentler with self, ways to relax, breathe, and make positive changes in your life.


    Many people think that counseling is only for people who have some serious mental health issue. The truth is, counseling can be beneficial for anyone who is struggling to cope with a difficult situation. Counseling provides a safe space to explore your thoughts and emotions. It can help you to identify patterns of negative thinking and behavior. And it can provide tools and resources to help you heal from pain and trauma. Counseling can be an important part of the healing process for many people. If you are struggling with a difficult situation, counseling may be able to help you.


    Our counselors are experienced and compassionate, and they really care about helping our clients reach their full potential. If you're considering counseling, I encourage you to give us a call. We would be happy to answer any questions you have and help you get started on the path to healing.

  • What are the Stages of Counseling?

    1. Pre-Counseling - This is the phase where the counselor and client assess the situation and determine what needs to be done in order to resolve it. During this phase, the counselor may also gather some background information on the client and their situation.


    2. Assessment - This is where the counselor tries to understand more about the problem so they can develop an appropriate treatment plan. They will also look for any signs of trauma that may have been suffered by the client.


    3. Treatment - This is where counseling and therapy take place. The counselor will work with the client to help them work through their problems in hopes to improve their life situation.


    4. Termination/Post-Counseling - In this phase, the counselor and client will work together to end the counseling relationship in a way that is best for both of them. The counselor may also provide some resources and recommendations for the client to continue working on their problems after therapy has ended.


    There are many different types of counseling and therapy, but they all share some common goals: to help the client resolve their problems and improve their life situation.

  • How Do I Know If I Need Therapy?

    Knowing when to seek out professional help can be difficult. Therapy offers a range of benefits and can provide much-needed support during hard times, however it is important to consider your individual needs before deciding whether or not you should pursue therapy. 


    First off, it’s important to examine your mental health in an objective way. Are you feeling overwhelmed by emotions such as sadness, anger, despair or apathy? Have you been struggling with intrusive thoughts that don't seem to go away? Do persistent feelings of hopelessness make it difficult for you to maintain your usual level of functioning throughout the day? These are all potential warning signs that may indicate the need for therapy. 


    It’s also important to evaluate your current relationships and support system – do you have any close family members or friends who can offer emotional support during times of need? If so, then these people might be able to act as a form of “informal therapy” by providing a safe place where one can express their struggles and feel supported emotionally without needing professional counseling. On the other hand, if this isn't an option for whatever reason (e.g due to lack of trust) then therapy may be needed in order for one's emotional well being remain healthy and balanced. 


    In addition, physical symptoms such as insomnia or extreme fatigue should not only alert us that something could potentially be wrong but also remind us that our mental wellbeing is closely linked with our physical state. Thus stress-related physical ailments may very well require professional help in order alleviate them effectively. 


    Ultimately if any combination of these warning signs is present then reaching out for professional help could greatly benefit one's overall quality life - it’s always worth considering seeing a counselor even if just on an exploratory basis; discussing personal problems openly with someone trained in psychological support has been shown time again to bring relief from emotional distress while fostering greater self-awareness which ultimately leads towards healing over time .

  • How Do I Find a Therapist Who is Right For Me?

    Finding the right therapist can be a daunting task, but it doesn’t have to be. It is important to ask yourself a few questions before you start your search – what kind of therapy do I want/need, what type of scheduling works best for me, and how much am I willing to spend? Once you have answered these questions, you can begin narrowing down your choices until you find the right fit. 


    When looking for a therapist, always make sure they are licensed by their state’s board of counselors or psychologists and that they specialize in the area of therapy that meets your needs (for example, couples counseling, cognitive-behavioral therapy). Research is key here as you will want to ensure that their credentials are legitimate and recognized by professional organizations. 


    Next up is scheduling. Some therapists offer virtual appointments via video conferencing or phone calls while others prefer face-to-face visits in an office setting. Additionally, consider if the hours offered by these professionals work with your schedule so there isn’t any conflict when trying to attend sessions regularly. 


    Lastly comes cost – some therapists charge on a sliding scale based on income level while others may provide discounts for returning clients or special circumstances; don't be afraid to contact them directly if this applies! Likewise, many insurance plans cover partial payments towards mental health services so reach out to yours prior starting any treatment plan with a new provider as well just in case coverage is available. 


    Overall finding the right therapist may take some time - but don't give up! When all else fails try word-of-mouth recommendations from friends and family who already receive counseling: they should be able to point you in the direction of someone who meets all three criteria mentioned above - license status & specialization + accessible scheduling & affordable pricing - offering exactly what YOU need most at this moment in time!

  • Is it Normal to Feel Anxious or Uncomfortable in Therapy?

    Absolutely! It’s completely normal to feel anxious or uncomfortable when it comes to therapy. Everyone has a different experience in therapy, and sometimes it can be difficult to open up about your inner thoughts and feelings with someone you don't know very well. However, that doesn’t mean that therapy isn't effective. In fact, studies have shown that the more uncomfortable or anxious you feel in the beginning of your sessions, the more likely you'll see positive changes over time. 


    Therapy is all about working through your anxieties and fears in order to better understand yourself as an individual and how those issues are affecting your life currently. In order for therapy to work effectively, it's important for you to trust the therapist enough with these deeper parts of yourself so they can help guide you through them. To do this successfully requires vulnerability which is often accompanied by anxiety or discomfort but once a client starts feeling safe enough they start experiencing genuine growth while in session. 


    It's always important not only when starting but throughout any form of treatment process - including counseling - to make sure that you're comfortable with the support system around whether it's friends family co-workers etcetera so that way whatever change happens even if temporarily leaves no one behind so keep this into consideration when making any sort of lifestyle modifications such as going into ongoing therapy sessions at new location incase a check-in is necessary during a particularly tough day or week ahead of getting started with treatment altogether thankyou for reading I hope this helps!

  • Can I Speak With the Counselor Before Scheduling an Appointment?

    At Austin Counseling and Trauma Specialists, we understand how important it is to find a counselor who you trust. That's why we offer free consultation calls so that our clients can get to know the counselors before making an appointment.


    Our specialized team of counselors is highly experienced and trained in the latest trauma-informed techniques. We understand that everyone has their own unique needs and preferences when it comes to counseling, so we want to make sure that we match you with the best possible therapist for your situation. During the initial consultation call, you'll have the opportunity to ask any questions you have about our services and learn more about each of our counselors. We understand that taking these steps can help ensure that everyone feels comfortable with their decision and starts off on the right foot.


    At Austin Counseling and Trauma Specialists, we believe in providing quality care while remaining accessible to all members of our community. That's why we offer free consultation calls - so you can meet with one of our counselors before making your appointment. If you’re interested in scheduling a free consultation call or learning more about our services, contact us today!

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