Professional Counseling Services in Austin, Tx
Located in West Lake Hills, TX, we offer personalized counseling services to individuals and couples that provide a safe and comfortable space to discuss your concerns and explore strategies for personal growth. Whether you’re facing personal challenges, seeking self-improvement, or looking to enhance your overall well-being, our counseling services are designed to meet your unique needs.
At Gate Healing, PLLC, we specialize in couples counseling using the Gottman Method, an evidence-based approach to building stronger relationships. We create a safe space where you can work through conflicts and learn skills to improve communication and deepen intimacy. Our goal is to help you communicate effectively through conflict rather than getting stuck in gridlock.
We provide specialized counseling to adults and teens in Austin for anxiety, depression, relationships, stress, and trauma using proven techniques from Mindfulness-based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), and Advanced Critical Incident Stress Management/Debriefing (CISD/M – a trauma-informed therapy model).
At Gate Healing PLLC, we understand that busy schedules and long commutes can make it difficult to prioritize therapy. That’s why we offer telephone counseling and video therapy for individuals and couples. With telephone counseling, you can get the support and guidance you need from the comfort of your own home or office.
Millions of people suffer with anxiety. It is by far the #1 mental health concern in the US. As your body’s alert system, anxiety is designed to increase the sensitivity of all of your senses, including emotion. For this reason, people struggling with anxiety report that it has a dramatic effect on their lives. Using scientific methods proven to reduce anxiety, we tailor our approach to fit your life and personality.
Depression is an insidious condition that magnifies the worst in life and minimizes the best in life. People suffering from depression often report that it robs them of their motivation; even the motivation to do the things they know would help. It’s like trying to run full-speed in ankle deep mud: you tell your legs to go, but they just . . . don’t. We can help you get out of the mud and reclaim your life and enjoyment again.
Sometimes there is nothing specific that is overwhelming you. This doesn’t mean that you cannot begin counseling. Having an experience and well-trained professional guide you through considerations and ideas for developing new directions in your life helps you enjoy the process of growth towards a goal. Whether you are looking for professional development/coaching, or just to feel less “stuck” in an area of your life, we are here to help.
Family counseling includes couples counseling, parent coaching, extended family support and even adjusting to being a caregiver or having a parent come to live with you. At Gate Healing, PLLC we will compassionately listen to your family’s needs and develop an effective plan for re-establishing or maintaining the balance that helps your home be happy and healthy.
Trauma is treated as a threat to survival so it is hard-wired into your mind and body. Trauma-informed counseling is different than regular talk-therapy. When working with PTSD it is important that you understand that you will not have to recount the details of your trauma (it was hard enough the first time).
In a bustling city like Austin, many people feel the stress of balancing paying bills, spending time with friends and family, dealing with unexpected life events, and getting enough sleep. When stress is too intense, or persists for too long, it becomes a problem that itself leads to more stress. Getting help sooner than later helps you restore calmness to your life.
Counseling Services FAQ’s
Where are you located?
The counseling office is in West/Central Austin, about halfway between Capital of Texas Highway (Loop 360) and Mopac (Loop 1) on Bee Caves Road. This is about 5 minutes from both Downtown and Barton Creek Mall. Our address is:
Gate Healing, PLLC
3939 Bee Caves Rd, Ste A-203
West Lake Hills, Tx 78746
Is there any risk that our conversations will be disclosed to others, such as my job, spouse, or friends?
No, our conversations are protected by federal laws regarding privacy. Confidentiality is of the utmost importance, and I would never betray your trust by sharing information about our sessions with anyone. Federal laws on confidentiality mean that I cannot confirm or deny that I know you unless you discuss actual or suspected cases of child abuse, elder abuse, abuse of the disabled, or if somebody’s life is in immediate danger. In these cases, I am required by law to report to the appropriate authorities to ensure the safety of people potentially at risk.
How long are the counseling sessions?
Each session lasts 45 minutes, but I don’t cut you off as soon as that time is up. I leave 15 minutes between sessions to take notes and prepare for the next session. If you feel like 45 minutes isn’t enough time, we can schedule double sessions that last 90 minutes.
What happens if I bump into you in public?
I will always respect your privacy and follow your lead. If we happen to see each other in public, I won’t come up to you and say “hello” unless you initiate contact. If you do say hello, I’ll be happy to respond, but I won’t disclose any information about you to anyone you may be with.
How do I know you won’t try to keep me in counseling longer than I need to be?
I don’t see clients as revenue streams, and my goal is always to help you get to a place where you don’t need me as soon as possible. Generally, most people find that they get their needs met within 6-10 sessions. However, everyone is different, and more severe cases may require longer treatment. I will let you know when it’s time to scale back sessions, and I expect that you’ll let me know how you’re feeling as well.
If you no longer need intensive therapy but would like to continue seeing me on a weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly basis to process daily life, that’s perfectly fine as long as we’re both clear that you don’t “need” me at the therapeutic level where we started. You can also get in touch on an as-needed basis.
Can I ask you personal questions?
Of course! While our sessions are primarily about you, it’s not uncommon for clients to want to know more about their therapist. I’m happy to answer any questions you may have about my background, experience, and training, and you may even want to know a little bit about me as a person. While some questions may be too personal or may shift the focus of our sessions, I’ll be honest with you about what I can and cannot answer.
Do I need to be mindful of my language during sessions?
While I’m not easily offended, I do expect that our sessions won’t be full of unnecessary, abusive, or distracting language. Cursing is perfectly fine if it’s part of expressing your emotions and intensity. However, if I notice that it’s keeping you stuck or ramping you up, I’ll address it with you.
Learn how to live a happy life
Jonathan F. Anderson, LPC-s has worked in the helping profession since he started college in 1990. After completing his Bachelor’s degree at the University of Texas, Austin in 1994, he attended the highly-regarded University of Minnesota to earn his Master’s degree in 1997. He is a Licensed Professional Counselor and is recognized as a Board Approved Supervisor by the State of Texas Board of Examiners of Professional Counselors. Jonathan has completed Level-2 of the Gottman Method of Couples Counseling, and in 1998 received training from the International Critical Incident Stress Foundation in Advanced Critical Incident Stress Management & Debriefing. To learn more about Jonathan’s practice, click here: Jonathan F. Anderson, LPC-s.