The psychologists at the ApaCenter work with children and adults of all ages, tailoring therapy to meet each individual’s needs. Extensive research and real world success have proven the effectiveness of our techniques.
IT’S A SCIENTIFIC FACT: THERAPY WORKS
The psychologists at the ApaCenter use the most effective methods to help you. Research has definitively found that people who receive therapy are better off than 80% of people with similar problems who don’t receive therapy. Also, it is a myth that months or years of therapy are required for it to be effective. You are likely to receive symptom relief within the first few sessions. We partner with you and work as a team to achieve your goals. You can use therapy to:
| Alleviate Depression | Discover Confidence | Reduce Stress & Anxiety |
| Resolve Relationship Difficulties | Increase Life Satisfaction | Improve Interpersonal Skills |
| Improve School or Job Performance | Develop a Peaceful Mindset | Strengthen Parenting Skills |
DO YOU NEED THERAPY?
In general, just about everyone could benefit from therapy at one time or another. However, pursuing therapy is important to consider if you are unhappy for much of the day for most days. Unhappiness can take on many forms besides sadness and depression. It can mean that you are frequently anxious, mad, stressed, detached, fearful, or apathetic. It is perfectly normal to feel these emotions some of the time – they are part of being human! But if you are feeling these emotions such that your overall sense of well-being is compromised, then you should consider therapy. Importantly, therapy can also be beneficial to achieve personal growth or to address mild but nagging issues.
CHOOSING A THERAPIST
Deciding that you are going to pursue therapy is a huge accomplishment in itself. The next step is to decide which therapist is right for you. Research has shown that developing a strong alliance with your therapist dramatically improves the likelihood that you will achieve your therapy goals. In making this decision, you can ask yourself the following questions to guide you:
- Does it matter if your therapist is a male or female?
- When are you available to meet with a therapist?
- Is there a particular style of therapy that you are looking for? Some examples include cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), psychodynamic, hypnotherapy, and solution-oriented therapy.
- What are the key issues or challenges that you want to address in counseling (e.g., stress, ADHD, depression, loss, anger management)?
- What format of therapy do you need (e.g., individual, couples, family, group)?
- You can browse our “List of Therapists” page to find a therapist who seems like a good fit for your needs.
WHAT CAN YOU EXPECT FROM THERAPY?
The first session, or intake session, is a time for you to inform the therapist as to what your individual challenges are and any history that you feel needs to be discussed. This session is also an opportunity for you to see whether you and the psychologist are a match for your therapy work. This first session is a little longer than the typical session since there is more to cover. This session will take approximately 75 minutes.
During this first session, you and your psychologist will act as partners to develop goals for your therapy. These goals will be specific to you and what you’d like to achieve. During therapy, you may go through some self-discovery and these goals may change.
Your following sessions will be shorter, lasting about 50 minutes. Each session, the psychologist will ask you if there is something specific you would like to address for that particular session. Throughout your therapy, your psychologist will often ask for feedback to ensure that the direction you are taking as a team is the direction that you want to go. Making sure that the therapy is working for you is a priority for the therapist and, with your feedback, he or she can ensure that you achieve the most from your experience.
Different Types of Therapy
There are many approaches or styles of therapy. The psychologists and therapists at the ApaCenter use a variety of approaches. Some of the more commonly used ones include: cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), positive psychology, strengths-based, solution-oriented, mindfulness-based, and relational. View our list of therapists, the types of issues they address, their times of availability, and the therapeutic approaches that they use.
MAKING AN APPOINTMENT
If you are ready to make an appointment – or you have additional questions – you can contact our office manager, Becky Holley, at (512) 891-1500. She can assist you in selecting the therapist to best meet your needs and schedule your initial appointment.
DARS
The ApaCenter offers therapy for persons who are eligible for benefits through the Department of Assistive and Rehabilitative Services (DARS). Currently, our psychology interns, Pittman McGehee and Stacy Stewart, are providing these therapy services under the supervision of Licensed Psychologists Dr. Mike Brooks and Dr. Vickie Schafer. Before scheduling an appointment with us, please contact your counselor at DARS to formally get these services approved.
