Our therapists offer addiction counseling in Austin, TX

Dr. Chris Hansen is a Licensed Professional Counselor, Clinical Supervisor, and Nationally Certified Counselor (LPC-CS-NCC). Chris has experience working with teens, adults, and seniors who are coping with severe psychological psychotic disorders, abuse, trauma, PTSD, addiction, domestic violence, and more. Given his extensive military experience, Chris has a passion for and specializes in treating military members and their families.

Dr. Hansen Served 24 years in the United States Navy, is a disabled veteran, and is a member of several veteran's mental health groups and associations. Chris obtained his Master's Degree from Texas A&M and his Doctorate from St. Mary’s University and graduated with honors from both programs. Chris has a very wide range of clinical experience ranging from inpatient, outpatient programs such as IOP/PHP, the Veterans Administration, Private Practice as well as clinical research and contract mental health work.

Partner together with Chris to start addressing the obstacles that you're encountering in your personal life. He'll work together to craft a personalized treatment plan that addresses your needs and concerns with expert guidance and compassion. 

I am a Resident in Counseling with 5 years of experience supporting clients from diverse cultural backgrounds. I specialize in helping individuals facing depression, anxiety, work stress, and addiction. I provide a safe, nonjudgmental space to explore challenges, build resilience, and foster growth. My goal is to empower clients to manage stress, improve relationships, and overcome patterns of self-doubt so they feel more balanced, confident, and connected in their daily lives.

I have a Master’s in Social Work from Our Lady of the Lake University. I integrate evidence-based practices such as dialectical behavior therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, mindfulness, and trauma-informed care. I tailor therapy to meet each client’s needs, ensuring that every person feels understood, supported, and empowered in their healing journey.

I believe everyone deserves a safe place to feel heard and supported. Life’s challenges can be heavy, but you don’t have to face them alone. Through warmth, compassion, and care, I help clients find healing, balance, and hope while working together at a pace that feels right for them.

Erin Schovanec is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), dance/movement therapist, and certified Yoga Therapist who has 16 years of experience as an expressive and creative mental health professional. Erin’s clinical experience has ranged in various treatment settings including outpatient therapy, Treatment Foster Care, and residential treatment. She has served children, adolescents, and adults experiencing symptoms related to attachment, anxiety, depression, trauma, and substance abuse. 

Erin completed her Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) in Dance Education magna cum laude at the University of Central Oklahoma and her Master of Arts (MA) in Dance/Movement Therapy and Counseling Psychology at Antioch New England Graduate School. Erin’s personal hobbies include dancing, teaching group exercise, and running.

Erin's clinical approach is solution-focused, person-centered, with the utilization of positive psychology and cognitive behavioral techniques. In addition, as a movement therapist, Erin’s therapeutic approach stems from a mind-body perspective, in that there is an inner relationship between the physical body and our thoughts and emotions. In order to heal, one has to “move through” challenging barriers with open awareness and self-compassion to develop a deeper understanding of one’s self. This healing process contributes to more meaningful relationships and greater connection to self and others.

Chavonn Johnson is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker Supervisor, Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor Intern, and Certified Case Manager with 10 years of experience. Her concentration is working with adolescents and adults experiencing trauma, depression, anxiety, and trouble adjusting to life's daily challenges.

Chavonn received a Master’s in Social Work from the University of Texas at Arlington. She offers therapy that is comprehensive and individualized using trauma-informed, cognitive behavioral therapy, solution-focused therapy, and skills therapy.

Chavonn strives to provide an environment of compassion and support to help individuals and families overcome obstacles to move forward and thrive. She is excited about the opportunity to collaborate with you in accomplishing your therapeutic goals.

Veronica Herrera is a Licensed Professional Counselor Associate, under the supervision of Asha Johnson LPC-S, who has been a consultant, accredited executive, and career coach for 20 years. Veronica conducts psychotherapy in English, Spanish, or Portuguese. She treats relational issues, self-confidence concerns, trauma, depression, demotivation, mood instability, mental turmoil, chronic stress, anxiety, anger/behavioral issues, addictive behaviors, and grief and loss as well as individuals navigating desired or unplanned change. Veronica works with clients to help them uncover and process their truths as they learn coping mechanisms and utilize their psychological resources.

With a Master’s in Counseling, Veronica earned graduate degrees in Business and Marketing, Organizational Change, and Positive Psychology. Veronica utilizes cognitive behavioral techniques integrated with DBT, REBT, and existential psychology. Veronica intends for the client to leave each session with a sense of accomplishment, a breakthrough, or a new tool.

If you are in early adulthood, mid-life, or senior years and find yourself lacking mental clarity or motivation, Veronica invites you to schedule an appointment and chat.

Abe Clabby is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) who specializes in treating relationship issues, workaholism, trauma, codependency, depression, anxiety, autism, and attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Abe spent the last 6 years at the Love Is Respect hotline and the National Domestic Violence Hotline, where he has seen the best and the worst that family and relationships have to offer. He is the author of "Cool Off the Burnout: Feel Better at High-Pressure Jobs".

Abe completed his master's degree in Counseling at St. Edward's University, where he earned a 3.7 GPA and spent an extra semester taking courses in marriage and family therapy. In postgraduate training like the Gottman method, Abe found what some couples do that makes them thrive. There are things that help with a partner, but they also help with our parents, our jobs, and our friends. Abe uses motivational interviewing in a client-centered way, empowering people to change the narrative and find an existential purpose for what they do and using the tools of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) to get around the obstacles where people feel stuck.

Abe works with a lot of good-hearted people. They're compassionate and want to do good in the world and to help people they love. Caring people can be taken for granted, taken advantage of, and even hurt and used. They can be left feeling empty, unfulfilled, and unloved. But with the right mindset, boundaries, and self-care, they can be respected, appreciated, and live a life that they're proud of. Abe helps people care for others and in turn, care for themselves. With therapy, people can troubleshoot their troubles in jobs and relationships. Everyone has more options than they realize.

Brian Sharp is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) with over 5 years of Counseling experience. He specializes in treating anxiety, depression, relationship difficulties, mental stress, and other issues that can hold us back. Brian believes everyone has a unique desire and ability to grow and develop, and he enjoys helping others on their journey. Brian entered the Counseling profession after a long Corporate career, and he can also help those who may be struggling with work-related stress and burnout. 

Brian completed his Master of Education in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Lamar University. He is also a Certified Clinical Anxiety Treatment Professional (CCATP) and Certified in Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (C-DBT). Depending on your individual needs and goals, Brian will utilize dialectical behavior therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, positive psychology, and motivational interviewing to help you achieve your goals.

Brian fosters a client-therapist relationship based on acceptance, understanding, and respect. He will work with you to help clarify your needs and expectations, and then collaboratively develop a plan to achieve your goals and support your growth and healing. Together, you will explore sources of problems and discover solutions to help you heal.

Kelly Pedersen is a Licensed Professional Counselor Supervisor who specializes in redefining perception: assisting individuals with trauma recovery and couples with intimacy-rebuilding with insight and useful techniques for bypassing roadblocks. She helps people hone their anger management skills and address the flip side of the coin: initiating the healing process after someone has endured physical, emotional, or sexual abuse. In addition, she helps people with trauma, life transitions, LGBTQ-related challenges, mood disorders, and geriatric issues.

Kelly is trained in EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) as a technique to treat PTSD, and she assesses trauma through the dual lenses of spirituality and culture. She also uses cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT) in her therapeutic processes.

"Stuck" situations require creative solutions! Solving a problem in isolation isn't easy, which is why collaboration with an experienced counselor can prove invaluable. The details of each person’s thinking may be varied and unique in every case, but Kelly believes that what is really important is the sense of being enough, sufficient, responsible, capable as yourself on top of the situation. When the work goes well (which certainly is the intention) the outcome will be the same: an increase in the sense of one’s own ability to manage life, and a feeling of growth and empowerment.

Kelly has a clear approach to counseling with people and it relates to what she sees as the ideal outcome of such work. The highest goal, the gold standard of good counseling, is an increase in client morale, significant growth of feeling competent and confident to work with the feelings and situations that brought you to counseling in the first place. A good counseling relationship has worked when one hears, “You know, I think I can handle this now. I feel a lot better and think I know what to work on and what to do.”

As a counselor, Kelly strives to encourage a therapeutic connection that serves as a "secure base", enabling you to challenge your misconceptions about yourself and refocus on your strengths. She believes that accessing new experiences in the context of a therapeutic relationship can help us rewire our brains and our lives.