Strength-Based Therapists in Austin, TX

If you are a parent navigating the challenges with your child or teenager, unsure of the next steps to take, I'm here to offer support and guidance. I understand that watching your loved one struggle can be overwhelming, but there is hope, and things can improve for both your teen and your family.

Life can bring us to our knees and have us question everything. Moving to a new city, rethinking what you want to do with your life, facing a global pandemic, or dealing with the same old patterns for long enough to want a change - all of these and much more might have brought you here. Over thinking each decision or avoiding the problems all together keeps you stuck and paralyzed by the many demands breathing down your neck. I want you to know you are not the only one! Feeling stuck and being uncertain is an unavoidable part of life... we just don't what you to have to be there long or alone.

You've probably been considering therapy for a while, so kudos for being here! Here’s the deal: Life is hard and full of problems interfering with where you want to be. Whether you're feeling stuck, struggling through a difficult time, or just need a change, you're here because you could use extra help in finding your way. That's where I come in. My goal is to help you move toward a more fulfilling and balanced life. I believe connecting with you as a person rather than a patient will allow us to develop a genuine relationship where we can trust each other and the work we do together.

Do you feel alone or hopeless? Do you or someone you know struggle with alcohol or other substances? Have you been wishing that you could go back to the early days of drinking? Are you being dishonest about how much you drink or use? Maybe you have been questioning what happened and how did I get here? When we consume alcohol or other substances we are looking for a release. Some people can find this without the damaging effects it can create on our lives. Some of us are no longer able to do this. If you are looking for greater connection and other ways to relax and find comfort, I can help.

My name is Laurie Pettis and I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker supervised. I am EMDR Trained. I began working with victims and survivors of sex trafficking in 2011 when I moved to China for a year. Then, I continued that work in Houston in 2017, which led me to graduate school for social work in 2019. After graduating in 2021, I have worked with both male, female, and LGBTQIA+ individuals recovering from substance use and other mental health disorders. I have worked with clients who have personality disorders, mood disorders, PTSD or emotional/sexual/religious trauma.

If you feel like you are expected to “do it all” and carry more responsibilities than others in your life, and feel like you need a break, I may be able to help. Some people find that their personal relationships, either with friends, family, or co-workers, seem shallow, one-dimensional, or unequal. If you would like to improve your relationship with yourself and others, this may be something we can work on together. People may find themselves noticing that they keep engaging in relationships that wound them and wonder “is there something wrong with me?” We can answer that question together.

My name is Leslie Raneri. I have been a Licensed Clinical Social Worker for over 20 years. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, adjustment to a new health diagnosis and family and life transitions, coping with grief and loss, career difficulties, depression, and anxiety. As Brene Brown says, “You are imperfect, you are wired for struggle, but you are worthy of love and belonging.” “Owning our story and loving ourselves through that process is the bravest thing that we will ever do.” (Brene Brown)

I genuinely invest in you as a person I care about and serve as a pillow of support you can fall on for comfort, warmth, and complete understanding. I provide a safe environment so you can bring it all to the surface and we can tackle it together. I'm a depth-oriented therapist, so working with me is deeply powerful, transforming your life in ways you didn't think were possible. Whether you're experiencing marital issues, traumatic memories, abusive relationships, family conflict, social anxiety, OCD tendencies, or suicidal thoughts, I can help. Immediately book an appt online with me and we can get started!

Throughout my career, I have had the opportunity to witness healing and transformation, even when hope seemed far away. I am in awe of the resilience found in each of us and I believe that everyone has an inherent wisdom within that, when fostered, can lead to a happy, fulfilling life. As a therapist, I see my role as providing a safe, non-judgmental space for individuals to explore and identify their own personal strengths and use them to achieve the goals and dreams they have set for themselves.

My therapeutic approach is direct and compassionate. My clients often tell me that I "keep it real". I see couples and individuals in person from my office in Austin, TX, and virtually for clients in Connecticut and New York. My specialities include eating disorders, addictions, trauma, couples therapy and LGBTQ+ issues.

Hello and welcome! As a therapist, I use a psychodynamic relational approach valuing the unique needs and desires of each client. I strive to foster a safe, nonjudgmental space for clients to share their own perspectives and emotions surrounding their past and present life experiences while also identifying, exploring, and challenging self-defeating beliefs. I strive to meet clients where they are in whatever season of life they are in. I also consider how multiple systems of oppression and structural inequalities impact my clients' wellbeing and the concerns they bring forth.

If insta-therapy, self-help, and pop-psychology haven't felt like enough, I'd be honored to work with you. I specialize in people who struggle with depression, anxiety, managing stress, poor self-esteem, people-pleasing, codependency, perfectionism, and academic pressure. I am also passionate about working with artists, musicians, writers, filmmakers, and other creatives who have been feeling creatively blocked, stagnant, or uninspired. Many clients also seek my help in finding ways to improve their mental health using a holistic approach instead of - or alongside - a pharmaceutical regimen.

There are times in life when you may find yourself panicking, full of rage or tearful, or fighting with your partner without understanding why. Big life events such as becoming a parent, beginning and ending relationships and experiencing loss are times that can bring about many different feelings. You might be wondering how you can get through anxiety or depression, or conflict with loved ones. Negative thoughts can make the past, present and future a scary place. It won't always feel like this.

We all face challenges in life and seeking professional help to address those difficult challenges is a commitment to your health and wellness. Our work together will build on your strengths while we address your concerns together. I believe mental and physical health is a balance of mind, body and spirit and I incorporate that belief into my practice with my clients. Regardless of your presenting concerns, I will strive to provide a safe, respectful, nurturing environment to help you examine and challenge your concerns. We will work collaboratively to find answers to your questions, deepen your self-awareness, and improve your wel

Do you feel like you and your partner are caught in a cycle of arguing and conflict, feeling disconnected from each other, have communication issues, or are lacking affection and intimacy? Are you hoping to get your relationship back to a more unified place? Attending Couples counseling can help you reconnect with each other and work through those challenges.

These are stressful, challenging times. Living a human life can be hard. Each of us is likely to encounter problems or dilemmas that leave us feeling depressed, anxious or overwhelmed. We may have been hurt a while ago but still unable to get past it. We may seek relief yet not find resolution. Often we are caught between wanting to get through something, yet enacting ineffective behaviors meant to keep us safe. This is when it can be helpful to have someone help us face what life is asking from us.

If blah, anxious, depressed or isolated have become your new normal, let's talk. My style of therapy is relational, warm, respectful, and oriented toward supporting change when it's needed. There's not one way to do therapy because it's tailored to your needs and goals. Therapy can be a safe place to talk through difficult things, a place to grieve, a place to create plans to support behavior change, a place to develop communication and emotional IQ skills, a place to heal old wounds, a place to figure out how you want to navigate a difficult situation, and a place to figure out who you are and who you want to be.

Vida Clinic partners with organizations and individuals to provide a range of high quality mental health services. Our approach is designed to provide accessible services so people can feel comfortable getting the care they need in order to live healthy and fulfilling lives. Our therapists have a master’s degree or higher in social work (LMSW, LCSW), counseling (LPC), or PhD/PsyD in psychology (LP). We are trained in a variety of evidence-based strategies and can work on issues related to stress, grief, anxiety, trauma, life transitions, depression, persistent mental illness, relationships, school problems, and more.

It takes a village to create the life that you want for your child. You want the best for them and only look to trusted professionals for guidance on their needs. As someone who comes from a Hispanic family (with LOTS of nieces and nephews), I know firsthand the importance of open communication and trust building as you seek assistance for them. No matter what the concern is, my primary (and ongoing) goal is to gain your family's trust. I value creating a comfortable environment for families to express their needs through any stage of the counseling process. My specialties include working with children and teens diagnosed