Come join our team of 2000+ clinicians
A comprehensive guide to starting therapy
The average copay is just $24 for sessions
Find the right therapist for you, based on your specific needs and preferences, all online.
Find the right provider for you, based on your specific needs and preferences, all online.
Discover how starting Trauma/PTSD therapy can support your own journey toward a happier, more fulfilling life.
5 therapists available in Austin
I use a client-centered, strength-based approach and strive to create a therapeutic relationship where you are heard, respected, a...
About
I use a client-centered, strength-based approach and strive to create a therapeutic relationship where you are heard, respected, and encouraged.
Katherine (Kathy) De La Paz is a Licensed Master Social Worker, practicing under the supervision of Nikki Stark, LCSW-S, who is passionate about helping individuals and couples who are struggling with anxiety, depression, stress, and life transitions.
In her work with couples, Kathy helps partners reconnect, communicate more effectively, and move out of painful or repetitive patterns. Whether couples are feeling emotionally distant, stuck in conflict, or overwhelmed by outside stressors, she creates a balanced and supportive space where both partners feel heard and understood. Together, they focus on improving communication, rebuilding trust, and strengthening connection.
Alongside couples therapy, Kathy supports individuals navigating anxiety, depression, and major life changes. Her approach is practical and collaborative, helping clients better understand the factors contributing to distress, develop healthier thought and behavior patterns, and build skills that support emotional regulation and resilience.
Kathy’s therapeutic style is warm, direct, and grounding. She brings over nine years of experience using evidence-based, strengths-focused approaches to help people gain clarity, improve communication, and move toward meaningful, lasting change—both individually and within their relationships.
Education and training
View more therapists in Austin
I listen without judgement, and as a Black woman who grew up in a rural community in East Texas, I know firsthand how powerful it ...
I listen without judgement, and as a Black woman who grew up in a rural community in East Texas, I know firsthand how powerful it is to be heard, understood, and appreciated.
Nikki Easter is a Licensed Professional Counselor with 12 years of experience. She began her career supporting individuals with substance use challenges, and later expanded her expertise to clients facing trauma, grief, anxiety, and identity-related concerns. Nikki has worked extensively with marginalized populations, including those experiencing chronic homelessness, domestic violence, and severe mental illness.
Nikki earned her Master’s in Community Counseling from Argosy University. She uses a trauma-informed, strength-based approach. She primarily uses CBT and integrates modalities like ACT, mindfulness, distress tolerance, and psychodynamic therapy to support healing and emotional growth in clients of all backgrounds.
Nikki believes healing isn’t linear. She creates a safe, judgment-free space for clients to work through fears, doubts, and emotional setbacks. Nikki’s compassionate approach helps you move forward with confidence and clarity when navigating trauma or life transitions.
Working as a first responder in various capacities, I'm familiar with the continuous high level of stress and expectations and how...
Working as a first responder in various capacities, I'm familiar with the continuous high level of stress and expectations and how one event can alter your life.
Kasie "Fallon" Beasley is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) with over 6 years of experience working with adults and seniors who are struggling with conditions or concerns related to stress, anxiety, PTSD, life adjustment issues, boundaries, grief, and depression.
Fallon earned her Bachelor's degrees in Criminal Justice and Victim Studies from Sam Houston State University, as well as her Master’s in Clinical Counseling. She employs cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and reality-based therapy to support her clients. Fallon understands the toll that stress, trauma, and anxiety can take on a person while trying to balance out the complexities of life.
Fallon has the experience of being a first responder in combination with her work experience as a counselor. Her unique perspective and insight into what is required to be 'in the trenches' offers clients a unique and understanding perspective. Fallon looks forward to working with you—finding personalized solutions as a team.
My theoretical orientation is based in positive psychology using a strengths-based, person-centered approach with a focus on achie...
My theoretical orientation is based in positive psychology using a strengths-based, person-centered approach with a focus on achieving resilience.
Jesus Valiente is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) with over 8 years experience in the mental health field. Jesus works with adults and specializes in relationship issues, family conflicts, anger management, bipolar disorders, domestic violence, HIV / AIDS-related worries, men's issues, and much more.
Jesus earned his Master's degree in Psychology from West Texas A&M University. His lived experience and clinical background combine to form the basis of his greatest superpowers— empathy and compassion.
Jesus teaches his clients about the link between thoughts, emotions, and behavior. That means that changes in behavior lead to changes in emotions and thoughts, and vice versa. Where would you like to begin working together?
As I progress in my journey in life, I am determined to partner with people to transform their lives....
As I progress in my journey in life, I am determined to partner with people to transform their lives.
Gay Hunter is a Licensed Professional Counselor with 30 years of experience in the mental health field. She is passionate in partnering with adults to transform their lives. Gay specializes in anxiety, depression, and trauma. Gay completed her Master of Divinity at Texas Christian University in Fort Worth, Texas. She has been a single mother for 40 years with ample experience in child rearing and being supportive of adult children. Her life experiences coupled with her professional experience enable her to build a partnership that will help you transform your life.
Gay utilizes cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and cognitive processing therapy for PTSD (CPT) along with educating you on the connection between the brain, body, and mind and adverse childhood experiences.
We all go through times when it is beneficial to talk to a mental health professional. Gay is confident that she would be able to partner with you to learn new skills to transform your life. If you are ready to start your journey to transform your life, schedule and appointment with her today.
You deserve dedicated time with a mental health professional — it can be life-changing.
Not ready to book? Contact me
Look for a confirmation email in your inbox shortly. We'll help find you a provider and guide you through everything you should know about starting care at Thriveworks.
No membership fees or subscriptions
Evening and weekend sessions
Award-winning therapy & psychiatry
What support are you seeking?
You acknowledge that by submitting this form, you are providing what may be considered “sensitive data” and consent to Thriveworks Privacy Policy & Terms. By submitting this information, you consent to receive communication from Thriveworks about our services via automatic calls, artificial or pre-recorded messages, or texts at the phone number provided, or by email at the address provided. You have the option to opt out of communications.
We will contact you with availability updates based on the preferences you provided for up to six months.
My go-to approach for helping people in trauma therapy is building rapport with the client to establish a therapeutic relationship of trust.
I teach the following tools in trauma therapy: calming skills, CBT, and personal skills to manage challenging situations related to trauma.
I know a client is making meaningful progress in trauma therapy when they present with more confidence to self-soothe, create their own safety, and recognize when old familiar situations/relationships are no longer serving them.
Clients can supplement their time in trauma therapy with physical activity, trauma journaling, self-care, and setting boundaries.
When preparing for their first trauma therapy session, someone may feel anxious and unsure, but they can express their concerns and ask questions if they need to.
At Thriveworks, Trauma/PTSD therapy involves dedicated efforts to address and navigate through past and/or recent traumatic events. Therapists specializing in trauma create a secure environment to process and heal from these experiences, aiming to reduce trauma-related symptoms and enhance overall quality of life.
Our Thriveworks providers use Trauma/PTSD therapy treatments like eye movement desensitization and reprocessing EMDR, CBT, and exposure therapy with the goal of helping clients process the traumatic events they have experienced so that they can to start feeling safe and secure again.
The symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) can vary but often include:
The best way to overcome PTSD triggers is to seek the assistance of a professional therapist, such as those at Thriveworks, who can help you to understand and treat your PTSD triggers.
In most cases, a therapist who specializes in Trauma/PTSD therapy is the best type of mental health professional to address the symptoms of PTSD.
PTSD/trauma therapy at Thriveworks is conducted both in person and online by video. We encourage you to choose the option that works best for you.
If a client is working through a single traumatic event that occurred as an adult, trauma or PTSD therapy may only take a few months, but in general, it can take a year or more to effectively treat trauma symptoms and PTSD. The duration of treatment is highly dependent on the client and the severity of their symptoms.
The success rate of therapy for PTSD depends entirely on the individual’s symptoms, commitment to attending sessions, and personal abilities.
When Rhonda was a child, her mother would never let her wake her father. Though he was calm when he woke naturally, if he was awakened by an outside force like an alarm clock or another person, he would come up swinging his arms as though defending himself. To be safe, Rhonda’s mother and father devised a system. When he needed to be roused from sleep, Rhonda’s mother would grab his big toe and gently shake it, keeping her out of the way of an accidental blow.
Rhonda’s father was a Vietnam veteran who suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder. He never sought counseling, and though he was able to lead a more-or-less normal life, his experiences in war were never far from his mind. With counseling, he might have been able to release the concern of accidentally hurting someone when being woken in the morning.
Post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a serious issue that develops after a person experiences a trauma such as sexual assault, war, traffic accidents, or violent crime. Some symptoms include flashbacks, hypersensitivity, avoidance of the situation, nightmares, trouble sleeping, and overwhelming memories of the event which last more a month after the trauma. PTSD is an anxiety disorder, and is experienced more in adults than in children. Because we know dealing with PTSD on your own can be overwhelming, Thriveworks Austin counselors are here to help.
We often associate PTSD with military service, and though it absolutely occurs among that demographic, service members aren’t the only ones who experience PTSD. Anyone who experiences a trauma may develop the disorder. Though not everyone who experiences a trauma will develop PTSD, it’s not uncommon—in fact, about 8% of Americans will experience PTSD at some point. And for those who do, counseling is a necessity in recovery. Medication is often helpful, as well as counseling to process the emotions and circumstances of the event. Thriveworks Austin counselors will help you find a treatment plan that addresses all of your symptoms.
PTSD has been documented among service members since at least the Civil War. Originally, it was thought to be a form of brain damage caused by shells exploding near the service member. Of course, we know today that is not accurate—it is a psychological condition with symptoms consistent across patients, though it wasn’t officially listed as a documented condition until 1980 (Friedman). Combative exchanges, accidents, and other violent acts are somewhat more common experiences for those in military service, and thus they are at a higher risk for developing PTSD. Unfortunately, because of the stigma historically associated with PTSD, service members are often reluctant to talk about it and may consider it just a normal part of the military experience. However, this is not true or necessary. Real help is just a phone call away. Our military members do not have to suffer in silence. Thriveworks Austin counselors are experts in helping individuals find relief from PTSD, and we are sensitive to the unique situations service members may have experienced.
We’ve come a long way from the origins of post-traumatic stress disorder treatment. Today, PTSD is usually treated with some form of psychotherapy, including:
Cognitive-behavioral therapy—instead of drawn-out analysis of what caused the problem, in this case PTSD, cognitive behavioral therapy focuses on tackling the situation head-on to change the pattern of thinking that is causing the problem. Thoughts create feelings, and feelings lead to behaviors, so by addressing first the thought process, the whole pattern of feelings and behavior can be altered.
Exposure therapy—As part of the process, the therapist may suggest directly exposing the patient to part of what they fear. For example, a person with PTSD may get nervous in crowds. The patient, with the presence of the therapist, might be gradually exposed to first a small crowd and gradually be acclimated to larger and larger crowds.
If the therapist and patient decide it’s warranted, some medication may also be used, such as an anti-anxiety or anti-depressant. Everyone is different, so it’s important to remember that your needs may be different from another’s.
Some patients come in and need to discuss the details of their experience to feel affirmed and validated. However, it’s exceedingly common for patients to have no desire to relive their trauma. Though your therapist will want to know the basic details—what type of trauma you experienced, where it occurred, and how long ago—in most cases you won’t be asked to describe it in detail. PTSD therapy is generally more concerned with how to deal with the affects the trauma is having on your life today than it is with how and why the trauma occurred. Every person’s needs are different, so how much you discuss your trauma specifically will be up to what you and your therapist decide is best.
PTSD counseling is a vital part of recovering from a traumatic experience. Whatever the trauma you’ve experienced, it does not have to define your entire life. Thriveworks Austin counselors do not operate with a waiting list. We want to be ready when we are needed. When you call us, we have appointments available for new clients within 24 hours. We are standing by, ready to walk with you on this journey.
Further Reading Matthew J. Friedman, MD, PhD. History of PTSD in Veterans: Civil War to DSM-5. August, 2015. https://www.benefits.va.gov/benefits/
Includes individual, couples, child/ teen, & family therapy
Includes reducing symptoms with medication & management
Shown in CT
12 photos
Call us to book
Our team is happy to help you schedule your first session.
Book online
Find the right provider for you. Book your session online yourself in just a few easy steps.