DBT and Mindfulness Counseling
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
DBT’s goals are to help people learn how to live in the present moment in order to regulate emotions, develop healthy ways to cope with stress, and improve their relationships with others. DBT incorporates distress tolerance through learning distraction techniques and self soothing. It improves relationships by teaching assertiveness in a positive and healthy relationship. Mindfulness is also important part of DBT therapy.
WHAT IS MINDFULNESS?
Mindfulness is the practice of being fully present. At first, this concept seems straightforward and simple, however often we let our thoughts become preoccupied with the past or the future and those preoccupations can lead to anxiety. Mindfulness centers around the idea that we need to learn to fully experience our present actions, thoughts, and emotions free of self-judgement and on purpose. Through meditation and other training, we master the ability to live in the moment.
HISTORY OF MINDFULNESS
The practice of mindfulness dates back centuries as it was originally conceived and integrated in the Buddhist practice of meditation. The late 1970s introduction of mindfulness into United States for clinical use is credited to Jon Kabat-Zinn, a professor at the University of Massachusetts Medical School. Since then mindfulness has become widely studied, grown to be a popular practice among counselors, and has been established as a highly effective therapeutic practice.
MINDFULNESS SESSIONS
Mindfulness can be practiced by any person at any moment. Through meditation and practice, an individual will cultivate the ability to be present. This can come in the form of guided meditation with a counselor or at home practice. A few of the ways that mindfulness can be practiced are:
- Seated Meditation
- Walking Meditation
- Standing Meditation
- Moving Meditation
- Breathing Exercises
- Yoga or Sports
BENEFITS OF MINDFULNESS
Because of the growing interest in mindfulness as a therapeutic practice, many studies have been done to prove its efficacy. A recent Harvard study observed that mindfulness meditation leads the brain’s hippocampus to create new grey matter – which is important for memory, the ability to learn, and processing emotions.
Mindfulness is a proven coping technique and can play a large role in improving an individual’s quality of life. While some of us are hardwired to avoid emotions and negativity, mindfulness teaches us how to fully experience and be aware of our self in a non-judgemental way.
POSSIBLE DRAWBACKS OF MINDFULNESS
Mindfulness is a journey and it is not a problem solving technique. Like with any difficult technique, it takes hard work, practice, and personal effort. In some cases, it can increase frustration if an individual is not able to let go of their self-judgement. The key to mindfulness is to understand that even the best meditators spent many years cultivating the ability to be present and that no one can be perfect 100% of the time.
MINDFULNESS COUNSELORS AT GIBSON COUNSELING
Michelle Sumners, LCSW, LCDC
Michelle's Patient Portal / New Client RegistrationRead more about Michelle
Location: Counseling in Round Rock and virtual counseling for Texas residents
Insurances Accepted: Aetna / First Health (No EAP), Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna/Evernorth (No EAP), Healthcare Highways, Magellan, Moda, Multiplan/PHCS Claritev, Partners Direct, Sendero, Scott and White, Tricare/Triwest/CCN-VA, United Health Care (UMR, Optum, Oscar, Allsavers), Self pay $150. We DO NOT accept Medicare or Medicaid.
Accepting New Clients: NO (no couples or kids)
Hours subject to availability: Monday through Friday 10am to 7 pm, Saturday 10am to 2pm in person or virtual Round Rock
Expertise: Adults and couples
- Addiction
- Anger
- Anxiety
- CBT
- DBT/ Mindfulness
- Depression
- Eating Disorders and Self Esteem
- ADHD
- Life adjustment
- LGBTQ
- Mood Disorders
- Marriage Counseling
- Solution Focused Therapy
- Trauma
Megan Brissenden, LCSW
Megan's Patient Portal / New Client Registration Read more about Megan
Location: Counseling in Cedar Park and Video counseling for residents in Texas
Insurances Accepted: ONLY TAKING THESE INSURANCES AT THIS TIME (all others in process): Aetna / First Health (No EAP), Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna/Evernorth (No EAP), United Health Care (UMR, Oscar, Optum, Allsavers), Healthcare Highways, Multiplan/PHCS Claritev, Scott and White, Self pay $150. We DO NOT accept Medicare or Medicaid.
Accepting New Clients: No - Adult individuals and kids 12 years and up
Hours subject to availability: Monday 9-5:30p, Tuesday 9-5:30p and Thursday 9-6:30p in person or virtual at Cedar Park
Expertise: Adults, Couples and Teens (12 yrs and up)
Mary Ellen Martin, LMFT
MaryEllen's Patient Portal / New Client Registration Read more about MaryEllen
Location: Counseling in Round Rock and virtual counseling for Texas residents
Insurances Accepted: Aetna / First Health (No EAP), Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna/Evernorth (No EAP), Healthcare Highways, Magellan, Moda, Multiplan/PHCS Claritev, Partners Direct, Sendero, Scott and White, Tricare/Triwest/CCN-VA, United Health Care (UMR, Optum, Oscar, Allsavers), Self pay $150. We DO NOT accept Medicare or Medicaid.
Accepting New Clients: Yes- Individuals & Couples (No kids at this Time )
Hours subject to availability: Monday through Thursday 10am to 630pm in person or virtual Round Rock
Expertise:
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- ADHD
- Anger
- Anxiety
- Christian Counseling
- CBT
- Depression
- Eating Disorders
- Grief/Loss
- Life adjustment
- LGBTQ
- Marriage Counseling-Gottman
- DBT/ Mindfulness
- Solution Focused Therapy
- Trauma
- Self Esteem
Rhonda Mack, LPC
Rhonda's Patient Portal / New Client RegistrationRead more about Rhonda
Location: Counseling in Cedar Park and Video counseling for residents in Texas
Insurances Accepted: Aetna / First Health (No EAP), Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna/Evernorth (No EAP), Healthcare Highways, Magellan, Moda, Multiplan/PHCS Claritev, Partners Direct, Sendero, Scott and White, Tricare/Triwest/CCN-VA, United Health Care (UMR, Optum, Oscar, Allsavers), Self pay $150. We DO NOT accept Medicare or Medicaid.
Accepting New Clients: No - Adults, Couples and kids ages 12 and up.
Hours subject to availability: Wednesday, Thursday and Friday 10am to 6pm in person or virtual at Cedar Park, Monday 2pm to 7pm virtual only, every other Saturday 10am-1pm virtual only
Expertise: Adults, Couples and kids ages 12 and up
- Military Veterans and/or family
- BIPOC communities (Black, Indigenous and People of Color)
- Military Sexual Trauma (MST)
- Self Esteem
- Anger
- Anxiety
- Children 16 yrs and up
- CBT
- Trauma
- Depression
- Life adjustment
- LGBTQ
- Solution Focused Therapy
- Mindfulness
- Marriage Counseling
Lisa Kampwerth, LCSW
Lisa's Patient Portal / New Client Registration Read more about Lisa
Location: Counseling in Cedar Park and Video counseling for residents in Texas
Insurances Accepted: Aetna / First Health (No EAP), Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna/Evernorth (No EAP), Magellan, Multiplan/PHCS Claritev, United Health Care (UMR, Optum, Oscar, Allsavers). Self pay $150. We DO NOT accept Medicare or Medicaid.
Accepting New Clients: No- Children age 8 and older, couples and adult individual
Hours subject to availability: Virtual only until September 2025. After September 2025 she will be in person on Monday and Wednesday and virtual Tuesday and Thursday.
Expertise: Adults, Couples and Children 8 and up
Paulina Pina, LPC
Paulina's Patient Portal / New Client Registration Read more about Paulina
Location: Counseling in Round Rock and virtual counseling for Texas residents
Insurances Accepted: Aetna / First Health (No EAP), Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna/Evernorth (No EAP), Healthcare Highways, Magellan, Moda, Multiplan/PHCS Claritev, Partners Direct, Sendero, Scott and White, Tricare/Triwest/CCN-VA, United Health Care (UMR, Optum, Oscar, Allsavers), Self pay $150. We DO NOT accept Medicare or Medicaid.
Accepting New Clients: YES Kids (13 yrs and older), Adults and Couples
Hours subject to availability: Monday through Thursday 10am to 4:30pm in person or virtual Round Rock
Paulina speaks both English and Spanish. Paulina habla español.
Expertise: Kids (13 yrs and older), Adults and Couples
Ana "Rebeca" Ramirez, LPC
Rebeca's Patient Portal / New Client Registration Read more about Rebeca
Location: Counseling in Cedar Park and Video counseling for residents in Texas
Insurances Accepted: Aetna / First Health (No EAP), Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna/Evernorth (No EAP), Healthcare Highways, Magellan, Moda, Multiplan/PHCS Claritev, Partners Direct, Sendero, Scott and White, Tricare/Triwest/CCN-VA, United Health Care (UMR, Optum, Oscar, Allsavers), Self pay $150. We DO NOT accept Medicare or Medicaid.
Accepting New Clients: No- Children age 7 and older and adult Individuals
Hours subject to availability: Tuesday through Thursday 9am to 5pm and Friday 9am to 12pm In person Cedar Park or virtual
Rebeca speaks both English and Spanish. Rebeca habla español.
Expertise: Adults and Children 7 and up
Sally Guerra, LPC
Sally's Patient Portal / New Client Registration Read more about Sally
Location: Video counseling for residents in Texas
Insurances Accepted: Aetna / First Health (No EAP), Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna/Evernorth (No EAP), Healthcare Highways, Magellan, Moda, Multiplan/PHCS Claritev, Partners Direct, Sendero, Scott and White, Tricare/Triwest/CCN-VA, United Health Care (UMR, Optum, Oscar, Allsavers), Self pay $150. We DO NOT accept Medicare or Medicaid.
Evaluations Offered: ADD, ADHD, Mood Disorders, Anger Issues and PTSD
Accepting clients: Yes Video only (Children age 12 and up)
Hours subject to availability: Wednesday 8am to 12, Thursday and Friday 8am to 5pm telehealth only
Expertise: Kids (12yr and up), Adults and Couples
- Addiction
- ADHD
- Anger
- Anxiety
- CBT
- Child and adolescent counseling (12 years and older)
- Depression
- Geriatric/Elderly concerns
- LGBTQIA
- Life adjustment
- Marriage Counseling
- Mindfulness
- Solution Focused Therapy
- Trauma
- Dissociative Disorder
Sasha Sharp, LPC
Sasha's Patient Portal / New Client Registration Read more about Sasha
Location: Counseling in Cedar Park and Video counseling for residents in Texas
Insurances Accepted: Aetna / First Health (No EAP), Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna/Evernorth (No EAP), Healthcare Highways, Magellan, Moda, Multiplan/PHCS Claritev, Partners Direct, Sendero, Scott and White, Tricare/Triwest/CCN-VA, United Health Care (UMR, Optum, Oscar, Allsavers), Self pay $150. We DO NOT accept Medicare or Medicaid.
Accepting New Clients: No
Hours subject to availability: Tuesday through Thursday 9am to 6pm in person or virtual Cedar Park, Monday and Fridays 8am to 5pm telehealth only
Expertise: Adults and Children 7 and up
- Anxiety
- Addiction
- Anger
- ADHD
- Children 7 yrs and up
- CBT
- Depression
- Life adjustment
- Mindfulness
- Solution Focused Therapy
- Trauma
- Christian Counseling
- Marriage Counseling
Susan Valley, LCSW
Susan's Patient Portal / New Client Registration Read more about Susan
Location: Counseling in Cedar Park and Video counseling for residents in Texas
Insurances Accepted: Aetna / First Health (No EAP), Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna/Evernorth (No EAP), Healthcare Highways, Magellan, Moda, Multiplan/PHCS Claritev, Partners Direct, Sendero, Scott and White, Tricare/Triwest/CCN-VA, United Health Care (UMR, Optum, Oscar, Allsavers), Self pay $150. We DO NOT accept Medicare or Medicaid.
Accepting New Clients: No
Hours subject to availability: Monday: 2-7 pm Virtual only
Expertise: Adults, Couples and Teens (16 yrs and up)
