Counseling Services

Individual Counseling

Schedule an Appointment Call (512) 771-7621

You don’t need to be in crisis to start therapy. You don’t need a diagnosis. You just need to be honest about the fact that something isn’t working and be willing to look at it.

Individual counseling at Gate Healing is one-on-one work focused on whatever matters most to you right now. That might be anxiety that won’t quiet down, depression that’s flattened your motivation, a relationship that’s struggling, a career that’s lost its meaning, or a general sense that you’re going through the motions without really living. Whatever brought you here, we’ll work on it directly.

What We Can Work On

Individual counseling can address a wide range of concerns. Some of the most common reasons people reach out:

If your issue isn’t on this list, that doesn’t mean it’s not a fit. Reach out and we’ll talk about it.

My Approach

Solution-Focused Therapy is the foundation of how I work, developed through direct training and live clinical supervision under its pioneer, Insoo Kim Berg, and her colleague Scott Miller, PhD. My approach is further shaped by the common factors research of Scott Miller, whose work on the therapeutic alliance informs how I build and maintain the relationship that makes therapy effective, and by Barry Duncan, PsyD, whose client-directed, outcome-informed framework ensures that your voice, your goals, and your feedback drive the direction of our work together. Rather than spending session after session analyzing what’s broken, we focus on what’s already working in your life and build from there. This doesn’t mean we avoid hard topics. It means we approach them with an emphasis on your strengths, your resources, and what you want your life to look like moving forward.

I layer other evidence-based approaches on top of that foundation depending on what the situation calls for:

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) gives you concrete tools for managing thoughts and behaviors that aren’t serving you. It’s practical and results-oriented.

Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) builds skills in emotional regulation, distress tolerance, and mindfulness. It’s particularly effective when emotions feel overwhelming or when you’re caught in patterns of reactivity that you can’t seem to break on your own.

Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) teaches you to observe your thoughts and emotions without being controlled by them. It’s particularly effective for anxiety, depression, and stress.

Internal Family Systems (IFS) helps you understand the different parts of yourself, the critic, the protector, the achiever, the one who wants to hide, and develop a healthier internal dialogue.

Insight-Oriented Therapy goes deeper into the “why” behind your patterns. When you understand the why, change becomes possible in a way that surface-level coping strategies can’t achieve. More about insight-oriented therapy.

All of my work is trauma-informed, meaning I prioritize safety, trust, and empowerment in every session, whether or not trauma is the presenting issue. I also bring a neuroscience-informed perspective to the work, because understanding how your brain creates and maintains patterns often helps analytical thinkers engage more fully in the therapeutic process.

Each of these modalities reflects specific, advanced training, not surface-level familiarity. I integrate them based on what the situation calls for rather than relying on a single approach.

What you can expect from me: I’m engaged, I’m direct, and I’ll push back when I think it’ll help. I’m also warm, and I genuinely enjoy the work. Therapy with me feels like a real conversation, because that’s what it is.

What the First Session Looks Like

The first session is a getting-to-know-you conversation. I’ll ask about what brought you in, what you’ve tried before, what your life looks like right now, and what you’re hoping to get out of therapy. You can share as much or as little as you’re comfortable with.

By the end of the first session, we’ll have a sense of whether we’re a good fit and a rough direction for where to go. If I’m not the right therapist for your situation, I’ll tell you and help you find someone who is.

Sessions are 45 minutes. Most people start weekly and shift to biweekly or monthly as things improve. I generally see people for 6-10 sessions for a focused issue, though some clients continue longer for deeper work. I’ll never keep you in therapy longer than you need, and I expect you to tell me when you’re ready to move on.

Virtual Individual Counseling Across Texas

All sessions are available via secure, HIPAA-compliant video or telephone for anyone in Texas. Whether you’re in Austin, Dallas, Houston, San Antonio, or a rural community, you have access to experienced, licensed therapy from wherever you are.

Ready to start? Schedule a consultation or call (512) 771-7621.

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Frequently Asked Questions

A: If the issue is primarily about your relationship dynamic, couples counseling is usually the better starting point. If you're dealing with something personal (anxiety, depression, a life transition, self-esteem) that may or may not be affecting your relationship, individual counseling is likely the right call. And sometimes people do both. We can talk about the best approach during a consultation.
A: In practice, very little. The terms are often used interchangeably. "Counseling" sometimes implies shorter-term, solution-focused work, while "therapy" or "psychotherapy" can suggest deeper exploration. I do both depending on what you need. What matters more than the label is whether the work is helping.
A: Most people start with weekly sessions. As you make progress, we typically move to biweekly, then monthly. Some people come for a focused period and stop. Others check in periodically over time. There's no one-size-fits-all schedule.
A: Yes. I work with teens 14 and older (and mature 12-13 year olds on a case-by-case basis). I've worked with adolescents throughout my career, and teens appreciate that I'm straightforward and don't talk to them like children. Parental involvement varies based on the teen's age and the situation.
A: I pay close attention to progress, and I'll be the first to say something if I don't think we're gaining traction. Sometimes a shift in approach is all that's needed. Other times, a different therapist might be a better fit for your specific issue. Either way, I won't let you spin your wheels.
A: Yes, with a few legal exceptions. I am required by law to break confidentiality if there is suspected child or elder abuse, abuse of the disabled, if someone's life is in immediate danger, or if ordered by a court. Outside of those situations, nothing you say leaves the session.
A: It depends on what you're working on. Focused issues often resolve in 6-10 sessions. Deeper patterns or multiple overlapping concerns take longer. I'll check in regularly about how things are going, and I'll never keep you in therapy longer than you need to be.
A: That happens more often than people think, and it usually means the approach or the fit wasn't right, not that therapy itself doesn't work. If a previous therapist wasn't direct enough or spent too long on history without getting to the point, you'll notice a difference here. Sometimes a shift in approach is all that's needed. Other times, a different therapist might be a better fit for your specific issue. Either way, I won't let you spin your wheels.
A: Yes. I offer secure, HIPAA-compliant video and telephone sessions to anyone located in Texas. Many clients find that virtual sessions are actually preferable: you're in a comfortable, familiar environment rather than navigating a new office.
A: Sessions are $200. I am an out-of-network provider, which means I don't bill insurance directly, but I provide superbills that you can submit to your insurance company for potential reimbursement. Many PPO plans cover a significant portion of out-of-network therapy.