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 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, Cigna/Evernorth (NO CIGNA EAP), Blue Cross Blue Shield, United Health Care (UMR, Oscar, Optum, Allsavers),  Sendero, Multiplan, Magellan, Humana, Partners Direct (starting 5-1-24), PHCS, Self pay $150 

Accepting New Clients:  Yes  (no couples or kids) Evening and Saturdays available

Expertise: Adults and couples

Susan Valley, LCSW

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, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna, Humana, Partners Direct (starting 5-1-24), Sendero, Magellan, United Health Care (UMR, Oscar, Optum, Allsavers), Self pay $150

Accepting New Clients:  Yes

(Video and in person)

Expertise:  Adults, Couples and Teens (13 yrs and up)

Mary Ellen Martin, LMFT

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, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna/Evernorth (NO CIGNA EAP), Humana, Partners Direct (starting 5-1-24), Sendero, United Health Care (UMR, Optum, Oscar, Allsavers), Moda, Magellan, Multiplan/PHCS, Self pay $150 

Accepting New Clients:   NO     (No kids at this time)

Expertise:  Adults, Couples

Sheila Moore-Bunch, LCSW

Sheila Moore-Bunch, LCSW

Sheila's Patient Portal / New Client Registration Read more about Sheila

Location: Counseling in Cedar Park and Video counseling for residents in Texas

Insurances Accepted:   Aetna,  Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna/Evernorth (NO CIGNA EAP), Humana, Partners Direct (starting 5-1-24) United Health Care (UMR, Oscar, Optum, Allsavers), Multiplan, Magellan, Moda, PHCS, Scott and White (starting 3-18-24), Self pay $150 

Accepting New Clients:  NO  (adult individuals only)

Expertise: Adults only, no couples and no kids

 

Rhonda Mack, LPC

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:    Moda, Blue Cross Blue Shield,  United Health Care (UMR, Oscar, Optum, Allsavers), Humana, Cigna/Evernorth (no EAP), Aetna (no EAP), Partners Direct (starting 5-1-24), Magellan, Multiplan/PHCS, Sendero, Scott and White (starting 3-18-24), Triwest-VA, Self pay $150

Accepting New Clients:  NO

Expertise:  Adults , Couples and Adolescents ages 16 and up

Paulina Pina, LPC

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 (NO AETNA EAP),  Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna/Evernorth (NO CIGNA EAP), Humana, Magellan, Moda, Multiplan/PHCS, Sendero,  Scott and White, Partners Direct (starting 5-1-24), United Health Care (UMR, Optum, Oscar, Allsavers), Triwest-VA, Self pay $150 

Accepting New Clients:  NO

Expertise:Kids (8 yrs and older), Adults and Couples

Ana "Rebeca" Ramirez, LPC

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, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna/Evernorth (NO CIGNA EAP), Partners Direct (starting 5-1-24) United Health Care (UMR, Oscar, Optum, Allsavers), Multiplan/PHCS, Humana, Moda, Magellan, Sendero, Triwest, Self pay $150

Accepting New Clients:  YES    *Adults only at this time*

Rebeca speaks both English and Spanish. Rebeca habla español.

Expertise:

Adults and Children 7 and up

Sally Guerra, LPC

Sally Guerra, LPC

Sally's Patient Portal / New Client Registration Read more about Sally

Location: Video counseling for residents in Texas

Insurances Accepted:  Aetna (NO AETNA EAP),  Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna/Evernorth (NO CIGNA EAP), Humana, Multiplan/PHCS, Sendero, Scott and White, Tricare, Partners Direct (starting 5-1-24), United Health Care (UMR, Oscar, Optum, Allsavers), Moda, Magellan, Triwest-VA, Self Pay $150

Evaluations Offered: ADD, ADHD, Mood Disorders, Anger Issues and PTSD

Accepting New Clients:  YES  (VIDEO ONLY)

Video only  (Children age 12 and up)

Expertise: Kids (12yr and up), Adults and Couples

Sasha Sharp, LPC

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, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna/Evernorth (NO CIGNA EAP), Humana, Partners Direct (starting 5-1-24), Sendero, United Health Care (UMR, Oscar, Optum, Allsavers), Moda, Multiplan/PHCS, Magellan, Self pay $150

Accepting New Clients:   YES  **Virtual only at this time****    Monday and Friday appointments: Virtual   

Expertise: Adults and Children 7 and up

 

Whitney Briggs, LPC-S

Whitney Briggs, LPC-S

Whitney's Patient Portal / New Client RegistrationRead more about Whitney

Location: Video counseling for residents in Texas

Insurances Accepted: Aetna (NO AETNA EAP), Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna/Evernorth (NO CIGNA EAP), Humana, Multiplan/PHCS,  Sendero, United Health Care (UMR, Optum, Oscar, Allsavers) , Moda, Triwest-VA, Self pay $150

Accepting New Clients:   NO   (Video Only)  ADULTS, COUPLES & CHILDREN OVER 12

Expertise: Adults

Sheryl Stiffler, LMFT

Sheryl Stiffler, LMFT

Sheryl's Patient Portal / New Client RegistrationRead more about Sheryl

Location:  Video counseling for residents in Texas

Insurances Accepted:  Aetna (NO AETNA EAP), BCBS, Humana, Moda, Magellan, Multiplan/PHCS, Sendero, Scott and White, United Health Care (UMR, Oscar, Optum, Allsavers), Partners Direct (starting 5-1-24), Triwest-VA, Self pay $150 

Accepting New Clients:  YES     (Video only)​  Evening appointments available

Expertise: Kids (6 yr and up), Adults and Couples

Hours
Mon By Appointment
Tue By Appointment
Wed By Appointment
Thu By Appointment
Fri By Appointment
Sat By Appointment
Sun Closed
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2201 Double Creek Drive, Unit 1003, Round Rock, TX 78664
(512) 633-7839
921 West New Hope Drive, Suite 201, Cedar Park, TX 78613
(512) 633-7839