Therapists in East Austin, Austin, TX

My name is Laurie Pettis and I am a Licensed Master’s Social Worker supervised by Jill Gracely, LCSW-S. 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.

Life is short and it is here to be lived! Feeling depressed, anxious, or simply not yourself, can be an overwhelming experience. You might be feeling unhappy, unmotivated, lonely, or maybe just "stuck". You might be having ruminating, racing thoughts that make it hard to see things clearly and move forward in life. I am here to help you reconnect to yourself, to your personal goals, values, and motivations: all the things that make you a unique individual (you!). I'm here to support you, explore your thoughts and emotions, sort through the difficulties you are dealing with, and gain insight and tools to navigate your life.

Are you and your partner caught in a cycle of negative interactions, conflict and building resentment? Do you struggle to connect in the ways you used to and miss the partner you fell in love with? Many of us find ourselves in rocky relationship moments and I'm here to help you navigate out of them.

Everyday life can be overwhelming full of obstacles and challenges. Sometimes we can feel trapped, helpless, or alone. These feelings and thoughts are natural, however if not properly managed they can lead to emotional disturbance and unhealthy behaviors. But we have the power to take control of our lives. With the help of guidance, insight and self-awareness, it can be done. I believe that we are all humans with the ability to love ourselves and make positive change. Let me help you adjust to life changes, improve your relationships, manage stress, cope with loss, and most importantly become more resilient.

Change is inevitable and it can also be uncomfortable and scary. Many of us already have the strength to manage change but need a little help finding the courage and confidence. That is why I take a collaborative, flexible, transformational, dynamic, and strength-based approach to empower clients to face life’s circumstances as productively as possible. I could help equip you with just tools to tackle your personal and professional obstacles or I can work alongside you and through dialogue help you to develop your own tools for long term sustainable strategies and an independent and purposeful life.

With 26 years of experience in Art Psychotherapy, I offer many tools to clients that are useful long after therapy has ended. My approach is eclectic and relational, meeting you where you are, and helping you develop a path to achieve your goals. Learn how to tap into your intuition, combining cutting edge CRM (Comprehensive Resource Model) and art making as your guide, and witness the changes you seek. Change your world and the world changes with you! Board Certified Registered Art Therapist (ATR-BC), Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC). I specialize in women's issues, trauma processing, particularly with motivated adults.

Accepting clients as of September 2023. I work with couples and individuals on topics such as polyamory, sexuality, sexual addiction, infidelity, codependency, addiction, abusive relationships, and navigating narcissistic individuals. I feel that what I bring to sessions is honesty, experience, and a heavy dose of dark humor!

Being a teenager can be challenging, especially during a pandemic. Being isolated from friends, spending more time at home and going back to school are just a few stressors. I have learned through my own personal experiences, what it looks like to listen to a persons issues, needs and goals. I have experience both in my professional career as well as through my own mental health journey what it means to be a person who actively listens. I understand there are times when insight is needed but there is also value in having someone simply listen.

Starting therapy can be daunting and finding the right match with your therapist is half the battle. Laura values understanding clients within the sociocultural and relational structures in which they were raised and live. Laura uses the therapy space to acknowledge the prior life experiences that influence the way we perceive the world, as those often shape who we are today. Her approach to therapy is focused on cultivating a strong interpersonal relationship with her clients.

We all encounter major stress and loss and often we recover well on our own. Sometimes life becomes overwhelming, confusing and too big to process alone. You can reach out for support, and you don’t have to do it alone. Through therapy, you have the power to focus on what helps you learn and grow. I am passionate about helping clients connect to their core values in therapy. We'll use mindfulness-based therapies to help you become aware of thoughts and behaviors that prevent you from experiencing a joyful and authentic life. I enjoy using humor, creativity and self-compassion in my practice.

Joseph Campbell said, "The effect of a successful journey of the hero is the unlocking and release of the flow of life into the body of the world." Your problems are uniquely yours, and my approach engages that uniqueness with the proposition of pragmatic change based on evidence-based approaches. Counseling is a hero's journey which begins with a desire for a better life, and a subtle voice inside calling for change! I am here to help with that journey, and working to overcome the challenges that are the roadblocks to a better life. I respond most quickly to email inquiries.

I have a few openings for new clients in August 2023. My aim is to help you address problematic ways of thinking, feeling, and behaving by way of examining the ways in which you perceive the world around you. The goal is to assist you in reaching a position of appreciation for your genuine self (for you are the perfect you!) and an acceptance of the events that occur in your life. I would be honored to take part in your journey of discovering the narratives which potentially distort reality and lead to discomfort, diminished self-worth, or other barriers to attaining contentment.

Are you engaging in life the way you had hoped? Do you desire more from your relationships? Are attempts at communicating what you need ineffective? Do you find yourself in constant overwhelm, fighting with your partner, or feeling alone and confused? Whether it's every day stress, a traumatic experience, or feeling disconnected; I'm here to tell you there's hope. In therapy I aim to address the underlying issues related to current life difficulties, rather than just treating the symptoms.

To move confidently into our future, we must resolve the past while remaining grounded in the present. Everyone is capable recreating their lives and expanding upon their healing, but this process often requires deeper insight into who we are, what we’ve been through, and what beliefs we’ve accumulated because of these experiences. I’m here to help you manage the challenges that come with tackling a new life in recovery, guide awareness into what initiated the destructive cycle to begin with, and support you to reach new goals beyond just getting sober.

Life transitions can cause great strain in our lives and can lead to even greater pain if not addressed. Signs that you may be struggling with a life transition are depression, anxiety, feeling unsettled and lost, emptiness, fatigue, chronic pain, unexplained ailments, and illnesses. Life is full of painful transitions. Transitions can disconnect you from your true self, what’s important to you, and ultimately disconnect you from a life with meaning. Greater clarity, self-confidence, and balance will help you reconnect with your true self and your values to live a more meaningful and fulfilling life.

Your 20s and 30s are an important time of self-determination. If you're feeling stuck or lost, I can help you develop the tools and insights you need to enjoy this time of your life. I specialize in helping high achievers-- young professionals and grad students with academic and workplace adjustment, anxiety, burnout and stress management, multicultural stressors, and relationship and sexual desire issues. With couples, I have expertise in helping partners improve communication, conflict and emotional intimacy, and manage differences in sexual desire.

I am a Masters Level Intern working towards licensure. I will graduate in the Fall with a MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. Six years ago, I began working in substance use disorder treatment centers in various roles. I fell in love with the process of watching people change. I have spent several years working with young adults (male and female) who have suffered from substance use disorders and have helped them reignite their passion for life. I have also helped them find a career path or enroll in higher education. I have also worked as a life development coach, helping individuals develop the skills needed to thrive.

I am passionate about working with adults suffering from depression and anxiety due to narcissistic abuse, racial discrimination/trauma, or job-related stress. With specialized training and education in Applied Behavior Analysis and behavior patterns, I also help adults with learning disabilities such as ADHD and dyslexia who are having difficulties performing and processing in occupational or school settings.

You matter. Your story matters. I’d love to hear it. And I’d love to support you while you learn to recognize and use your voice in way that helps you craft the story you truly want for yourself. Does something painful from your past feel like it’s always creeping around every corner? Is there something missing in your relationships that keeps you from connecting the way you want? Does it feel like other people’s needs end up more important than yours? None of these struggles have to stay that way. Change is possible. A more satisfying story is possible.