Resources
Resources
Mental health care doesn’t stop at medication. Here are resources to help you navigate crisis moments, understand your options, and find additional support.
Crisis Resources
National Crisis Support
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
Available 24/7
Free, confidential support for people in distress and their loved ones.
988lifeline.org →Crisis Text Line
Available 24/7
Free crisis support via text message.
crisistextline.org →Texas Resources
Texas Crisis Hotline
Available 24/7
Mental health crisis support for Texans.
NAMI Texas
National Alliance on Mental Illness – Education, support groups, and advocacy across Texas.
namitexas.org →LGBTQ+ Crisis Support
The Trevor Project
Text START to 678-678
24/7 crisis support for LGBTQ+ young people (under 25).
thetrevorproject.org →Trans Lifeline
Available daily
Peer support hotline run by trans people, for trans and questioning callers.
LGBT National Hotline
M-F 4pm-midnight ET, Sat 12pm-5pm ET
Peer support for the LGBTQ+ community of all ages.
Support for Black & Minority Communities
BlackLine
Available daily
Peer support, counseling, and crisis intervention for Black, Brown, and Indigenous people.
BEAM
Black Emotional & Mental Health Collective
Resources, training, and support focused on healing and wellness for Black communities.
beam.community →Therapy for Black Girls
Online space and therapist directory dedicated to Black women’s mental wellness.
therapyforblackgirls.com →Local Austin Resources
Christi Center (Austin Area)
512-467-2600
2306 Hancock Drive, Austin, TX 78756
Support for families experiencing grief and loss.
christicenter.org →Integral Care
512-472-HELP (4357)
Walk-in Clinic – Psychiatric Emergency Services
Richard E. Hopkins Behavioral Health Building
1165 Airport Blvd., Second Floor
Austin, TX 78702
Hours: 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
integralcare.org →When to Use the ER vs. Crisis Line
Go to the ER or call 911 if:
- You or someone else is in immediate danger
- There’s active self-harm or a suicide attempt in progress
- Someone is experiencing a medical emergency alongside a mental health crisis
- The situation feels unsafe
Call a crisis line if:
- You’re having thoughts of suicide but not actively planning
- You’re in emotional distress and need someone to talk to
- You’re not sure what to do next and need guidance
- You want support navigating a difficult moment
Finding a Therapist
Why You Might Need Both
Psychiatrists and therapists serve different but complementary roles. I focus on medication management—evaluating symptoms, prescribing medications, and monitoring how they’re working. Therapists provide talk therapy to help you work through thoughts, behaviors, and patterns that medication alone can’t address.
Many people benefit from both. Medication can stabilize symptoms enough to make therapy more effective, and therapy can give you tools that reduce your reliance on medication over time. It’s not either/or—it’s often both.
Where to Search for a Therapist
Psychology Today
Search by location, insurance, specialty, and therapist demographics.
psychologytoday.com/us/therapists →Your Insurance Provider Directory
Call the number on the back of your insurance card and ask for a list of in-network therapists in your area.
Questions to Ask During a Consultation
Most therapists offer a brief phone consultation before you commit. Here are questions to help you figure out if they’re a good fit:
- What’s your approach or modality? (CBT, DBT, psychodynamic, etc.)
- Do you have experience working with [your specific concern]?
- What does a typical session look like?
- How do you measure progress?
- What are your fees? Do you take my insurance?
- How often would we meet?
- What’s your cancellation policy?
Trust your gut. If something feels off in the consultation, it’s okay to keep looking. Finding the right fit matters.
Common Therapy Modalities
Understanding different types of therapy can help you find the right fit for your needs.
| Therapy Type | What It Is | Good For |
|---|---|---|
| CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy) | Focuses on identifying and changing negative thought patterns and behaviors | Depression, anxiety, OCD, panic disorder, phobias |
| DBT (Dialectical Behavior Therapy) | Teaches skills for managing emotions, tolerating distress, and improving relationships | Borderline personality disorder, self-harm, emotional regulation issues, PTSD |
| EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) | Uses guided eye movements to process traumatic memories | PTSD, trauma, anxiety related to past events |
| Psychodynamic Therapy | Explores how past experiences and unconscious patterns affect current behavior | Depression, relationship issues, chronic patterns, self-exploration |
| ACT (Acceptance and Commitment Therapy) | Focuses on accepting difficult thoughts/feelings and committing to values-based action | Anxiety, depression, chronic pain, stress |
| IOP (Intensive Outpatient Program) | Structured treatment program (typically 3+ hours/day, several days/week) while living at home | Moderate to severe depression, anxiety, substance use, eating disorders, when outpatient care isn’t enough but inpatient isn’t needed |
| PHP (Partial Hospitalization Program) | More intensive than IOP (typically 5-6 hours/day, 5 days/week) with medical monitoring | Severe mental health symptoms, crisis stabilization, step-down from inpatient care |
This is not an exhaustive list. Many therapists blend approaches based on your individual needs.