About Capital Area Counseling
Our Mission
At Capital Area Counseling (CAC), we are dedicated to providing affordable, accessible, and high-quality mental health services to all Central Texans. Additionally, we offer an exceptional training environment for pre-graduate and post-graduate therapists from various helping professions.
Our History
Founded in 1980 by members of the Capital Area Psychological Association, CAC was established to address the need for low-cost psychological services in Austin, Texas. At the time, while low-cost medical clinics were common, a mental health clinic operated by professional volunteers was unprecedented. Today, CAC continues this legacy by offering high-quality mental health services and serving as a premier training ground for emerging therapists.
Leadership
Volunteer Supervisors
Our Board
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is your waitlist?
Our waitlist for appointments stands anywhere from 2 weeks to 3 months. This is due to our sliding scale fees and the high demand in our area. For an accurate waitlist time please reach out to us.
How do I begin services?
In order to place you on our waitlist, it is imperative that all consent forms be completed. You will need to click on the forms tab upon entering your client portal to complete ALL required documents for services. Services cannot begin until this step is complete.
What are your hours?
Our counselors can see you as early as 7am to as late as 9pm Monday-Sunday.
What is the cost of a counseling session at Capital Area Counseling?
Our fees range from $15 to $60 per session and are based on income and household size unless you are part of one of our contracted partners like Foundation Communities, CASA Marianella, Marbridge Foundation, Texas Workforce Commission (TWC), Teachers Appreciation Project or the Mike and Sherry Project.
What forms of payment do you accept?
We accept cash, checks, and credit cards (Visa and MasterCard). You can use your HSA card to pay for your appointments as long as it functions like a traditional credit card.
Do you accept insurance?
We do not accept insurance, however, we can print out quarterly statements if you want to submit them for reimbursement from your insurance agency.
How do I pay for my sessions?
After completing our required paperwork, you’ll be prompted to provide a credit card to keep on file. This is mandatory, even if you usually pay with cash or check. For cash or check payments, the session must be in person and pre-arranged. If you have an outstanding balance, you can also make payments through our client portal. Each session must be paid in full before the next appointment can be scheduled, with no exceptions.
How many sessions will I need/how often will we meet?
Counseling can look different for each person. Each therapist is unique in their approach to therapy and tailors that approach to each individual client’s needs. Our sessions usually happen weekly for 50 minutes, for as many weeks as it makes sense for the client and therapist to continue their work together.
What are some common issues that Capital Area Counseling counselors can help with?
Our counselors can help with a wide range of issues, including anxiety, depression, relationship problems, grief and loss, trauma, and more.
Do you prescribe medications?
We do not prescribe medications. Clients who require medication in addition to counseling are referred to an appropriate prescribing physician.
Do you provide psychological assessments?
We do not provide psychological assessments.
Do you see clients in person and/or telehealth?
We offer sessions both in person and via telehealth. We can also provide teletherapy services to those living in the state of Texas.
What kind of clients do you see?
We provide services for adults, adolescents, children, couples, and families in English and Spanish.
What is the youngest age you accept?
We can see anyone 6 years and older.
How can I contact my counselor?
Once you confirm your availability for the offered appointment, we will send you an email with the appointment information and your counselor’s contact information. Your counselor will also send you a confirmation email. The best way to contact your counselor is directly via phone or email.
What if I don't like my counselor?
Sometimes, the counselor you’re assigned to might not be the best fit for you, and that’s perfectly okay! If this happens, please reach out to our intake coordinators. They will work on scheduling you with a new counselor who better matches your preferences. We do ask that you attend at least three counseling sessions before requesting a change, though this can vary depending on the situation.
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