Counseling questions, answered

You do not need a crisis or a diagnosis to benefit. Counseling can help with anxiety, depression, grief, stress, relationships, parenting, a big change or the feeling that something is off. If something is getting in the way of your daily life, it is worth a conversation.

We complete the necessary paperwork and talk about what brings you in. Your therapist will ask about your history, what you want to change and what support looks like for you. You do not have to tell your whole story at once; the first session is also a chance to ask questions and see whether the fit feels right.

No. You can start with a concern, a transition or a relationship issue. Some insurance plans require a diagnosis for reimbursement, and we will discuss that with you before we begin. Self-pay is also an option.

It varies. Some people feel helped in 8 to 12 sessions; others need longer-term work. We review goals and progress together, and you can stop or adjust at any time.

Most people meet weekly or every other week at first, then space sessions out as things improve. The schedule is agreed with your therapist and can change as your needs change.

Yes, with legal and ethical exceptions. We may need to act when there is a risk of serious harm, suspected abuse or neglect, a court order or another situation required by law. Your therapist will explain confidentiality and its limits before you begin. Our Notice of Privacy Practices has more detail.

Yes. Our board-certified telemental health providers offer secure video counseling anywhere in Texas. You must be physically in Texas at the time of the session. Telehealth is not a crisis service.

We accept most major insurance plans for counseling. Coverage, copays and authorization requirements vary by plan, so please call us to confirm your benefits. We can also discuss self-pay.

That is common. You do not need a prepared speech. Your therapist will help you start, follow what matters and slow down when needed. Silence and uncertainty are welcome parts of the process.

Yes. Fit matters. If the relationship or approach is not working, tell us and we will help you think through options, including a different provider when one is available. You are not obligated to stay with a therapist who is not the right match.

Call or text 988 for the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, or call 911 in an emergency. Our office and website are not crisis services.

Our providers draw from several approaches and match them to the person and the concern. These include family systems therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, solution-focused therapy, narrative therapy, emotionally focused therapy, play therapy and trauma-informed care. We do not force one model onto everyone.

CBT looks at how thoughts, feelings and behaviors affect one another. It teaches practical skills and is often structured and goal-focused. It has strong evidence for anxiety, depression, stress and many other concerns.

Solution-focused therapy focuses on goals, strengths, exceptions to the problem and small next steps. It is often brief and practical. It does not ignore pain; it asks what is already working and what would be different if things improved.

Narrative therapy separates the person from the problem and explores the stories people tell about themselves. It can help a person notice preferred values, strengths and possibilities that the problem has crowded out.

EFT is an attachment-based approach often used with couples. It helps partners notice repeating cycles, access the emotions underneath the conflict and build a safer connection. It can also inform individual work.

Play therapy uses play as a child's natural way to communicate. A trained therapist may use toys, art, games and structured activities to help a child express feelings, practice skills and make sense of experiences. Parent involvement is often part of the work.

Trauma-informed care emphasizes safety, choice, collaboration, trustworthiness and empowerment. It does not require you to retell a trauma before you are ready. The pace and goals are set with you, and your sense of control matters.

Yes, when you ask for it. Our providers are glad to welcome faith and spirituality into the conversation, and they never impose it. People of every background receive the same respect and welcome.

Yes, if that is what you want. Providers can integrate Christian faith and spiritual perspectives when a client requests it. It is always your choice, and it is never required.

No. Our providers are therapists and assessment specialists, not prescribers. We can coordinate with your physician or psychiatrist and help you think through what to ask. Medication decisions belong with a qualified prescriber.

An LMFT is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. LMFTs have graduate training in marriage and family therapy, supervised clinical experience and a license from the state. Their training emphasizes relationships, family systems and the context around a person.

Texas LMFTs complete a graduate degree, specific marriage and family therapy coursework and supervised clinical experience. Under current Texas rules, that includes 3,000 hours of supervised clinical practice, substantial couples and family work and 200 hours of supervision before independent licensure. Requirements can change; licenses can be verified with the Texas Behavioral Health Executive Council.

All licensed therapists can provide counseling. LMFTs have specific graduate and supervised training in marriage and family therapy, and they are taught to see problems in relational context: couples, families, roles, communication, culture and intergenerational patterns. They are not better than psychologists, professional counselors or social workers; the right fit depends on the person and the concern.

BC-TMH stands for Board Certified-TeleMental Health. It is a credential for providers who have additional training and meet standards for delivering secure video care. Not every therapist has it, and it is one way to evaluate telehealth experience.

Yes. Our providers are Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists regulated by the Texas Behavioral Health Executive Council. You can verify a license through the BHEC license search.

Because licensure is state-based, we can see you by telehealth only when you are physically in Texas at the time of the session. We see clients in person at our Fort Worth office. If you are outside Texas, we can help you think about finding a provider licensed in your state.

The terms are often used interchangeably. Counseling sometimes suggests shorter, goal-focused work, while psychotherapy sometimes suggests longer or deeper work, but the words do not have a fixed legal meaning in everyday use. Use whichever feels comfortable; what matters is the fit and the work.

Family systems therapy sees people as part of interconnected relationships. It looks at patterns, roles, communication, boundaries and intergenerational history, and it assumes that change in one part of the system affects the others. It can be used with individuals, couples or whole families.

Family systems therapy grew out of general systems theory and cybernetics in the mid-20th century, along with Gregory Bateson's communication research. Early models include Salvador Minuchin's structural family therapy, Murray Bowen's intergenerational approach, Jay Haley's strategic therapy and Virginia Satir's experiential work. The field has continued to evolve.

No. A systems lens is not about blame. It looks at how patterns developed, what keeps them going and what each person needs. Responsibility can be named without turning one person into the problem. The goal is understanding and change, not assigning fault.

It depends on the concern. Sessions may include an individual, a couple, a parent and child, or the whole family. Even individual counseling can use a systems lens by looking at relationships, roles and context.

Cost depends on your insurance, copay or self-pay arrangement. Call us and we will explain the current rates, verify benefits when possible and answer questions before you schedule.

Please give at least two business days' notice to cancel or reschedule. For a Monday appointment, that means letting us know by the same time on the Thursday before. Late cancellations and missed appointments may be charged a fee.

Call us at 817-735-4165 and press 1, or request an appointment through our secure patient portal. Tell us what you are looking for and we will help match you with a provider and a next step.