Therapists for college students near University of Texas at Austin

Monica is a bilingual therapist and the child of immigrants who believes that true healing grows from the threads that connect us — to our bodies, to the people around us, and to the world we inhabit. Growing up between cultures, she learned early how identity, language, and community shape our sense of self. Her journey to counseling has been shaped not only by professional experience in diverse communities and holistic mind-body practices, but also by years of personal self-healing and self-discovery through reading, reflection, and engagement with feminist theory and history. These experiences have deepened her understanding of how gender, power, and society influence our inner lives and relationships. She works with women and femmes who have ADHD and has a nuanced understanding of how gender shapes ADHD lived experiences. Monica provides compassionate support for the unique challenges and strengths ADHD brings, helping clients navigate identity, relationships, and self-trust with insight and validation. In working with Monica, clients will learn about themselves and ways to leverage their neurodiversity to their benefit, allowing it to enhance their lives rather than hinder them. Monica is also passionate about supporting women in reclaiming their sensuality, self-trust, and pleasure, particularly in the wake of trauma. Her work in this area integrates conversation, somatic awareness, mindfulness, and embodiment practices, including yoga. By creating a safe and affirming space where clients can explore intimacy, desire, boundaries, and identity without shame, the therapeutic space allows clients to heal, reconnect, and embody their true sensual power. Through therapy, Monica guides clients to reconnect with themselves fully. In connecting to their bodies, minds, desires, and voices, clients can cultivate lives that feel grounded, empowered, and authentically their own.

I offer a welcoming space for adults, couples, & teens navigating anxiety, relationship stress, trauma, perfectionism, high-achievers, and life transitions including break-ups marriage & new parenthood. Starting therapy takes courage, but you don't have to face life alone. My clients struggle to feel "good enough" in life & relationships or are overwhelmed trying to hold it all together. My passion is for those who seem "put together" on the outside but feel anxious, disconnected or stuck beneath, because I've been there. We'll develop tools to calm anxiety and overcome life's challenges so you can gain clarity, healing, & change. I specialize in anxiety, trauma, relationship stress & perfectionism and offer trauma-informed, compassionate therapy across Texas, including Austin, Dallas, & Houston. I integrate CBT, DBT, EMDR, IFS, & mindfulness. I'm EMDR trained to support trauma. You’re the expert in your life; I’m here to offer perspective so you can feel more like yourself again. Before becoming a therapist, I spent nearly a decade in the entertainment industry, so I understand the pressure to perform, achieve, & “keep it all together.” Being human is hard, and you're not alone. I offer in-person sessions in Austin, plus virtual therapy across Texas. Please reach out today for a free 15-minute consultation to see if we're a good fit!

I believe in the power of connecting past experiences to the present, while honoring culture, identity, and interconnectedness. I view therapy as a space where you can express yourself freely, reflect on experiences & how they shape you, and make the changes necessary to explore & embrace your authentic self in order to be the person you strive to embody. People often say I have a warm, welcoming energy that make difficult conversations feel comfortable. I value finding moments to incorporate laughter, while also "keeping it real"! I am genuinely curious about your story as I feel honored to be invited into your most vulnerable moments. I am particularly passionate about supporting individuals who are navigating challenges related to cultural & queer/trans identity, family of origin, life transitions, interpersonal challenges, generational trauma, and grief. I draw from a blend of approaches including IFS, Narrative, and attachment-based work to tailor our sessions to your unique needs. I have witnessed how life-changing the therapeutic space can be through my lived experience and seeing the power of connection in my work. If you are ready to explore your challenges or simply would like guidance towards growth, I invite you to reach out for a consultation! Please do not hesitate to contact me with any questions you might have about therapy or my practice.

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**Some Insurance Accepted in NC through Headway** I practice via telehealth in NY, NC, WA, and TX. I specialize in working with adult men and women who are secretly miserable. You may look fine on the outside, but inside you're struggling to get your own needs met, codependency, perfectionism, and shame. Gestalt Therapy goes beyond looking at just the cognitive, linear perspectives of the person. It demands of the therapist an awareness of the body and how it manifests in the psyche. Through its focus on process rather than content, the patient gains an experiential awareness of how they do what they do and new choices emerge spontaneously. The radical focus on process in the creative therapy of Gestalt keeps the work alive and full of possibility for both the patient and my work as a therapist. Melissa Bennett-Heinz obtained her master’s degree in clinical social work from Columbia University (Class of 2002) and is a graduate of Gestalt Associates for Psychotherapy in New York City, NY. In addition to her background in Gestalt Therapy, she obtained her bachelor's and master’s degrees from the esteemed conservatory, Manhattan School of Music, in New York City where she majored in Oboe Performance. Melissa completed cognitive behavioral studies under the tutelage of Dr. William Sanderson. She is a licensed clinical social worker in NY, WA, NC, and TX and has over twenty years of specialized training and experience in PTSD, childhood abuse, mood and anxiety disorders. Melissa brings her background as a classical musician and deep spirituality together in her unique approach in Gestalt's creative and experiential therapy.

Alliance Counseling Works is a counseling center with multiple locations serving Williamson, Travis and Bell counties, offering excellent therapy with best practice and results. We believe in transformation and experience it daily. Service includes counseling for individuals, children, adolescents and teens, and families. We are a client-centered practice, and we utilize proven methods including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Solution Focused Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, and Mindfulness.

I'm Eloise and I help college students navigate the tough stuff. Whether it's stress from school, anxiety, identity exploration, relationships, or feeling stuck, you don't have to figure it all out alone. I create a space where you can vent, process and grow--without judgement. I get that college is a time of major transition and pressure. My style is collaborative, down-to-earth, and focused on what you need--whether that's coping strategies, deeper self-awareness, or just someone who really listens. Let's talk about what's going on, what's holding you back, and how we can get you feeling more like yourself.