First responders in police, fire, EMS and dispatch see life and death more often than most people see it in a lifetime. Then comes the next call, and you shove it down to get through the moment. Over time, those calls build up. Our therapists help first responders clear what gets stuck, often faster than they expect.
Clinically reviewed by William Schroeder, LPC, NCC, co-founder of Just Mind. Last reviewed October 24, 2026.
Serving Austin Since 2007
A locally owned Austin group practice staffed by experienced clinicians with 10 to 30 years in the field, available online and in person.
- EMDR-Certified
- LGBTQIA + Informed
- Trauma-Informed
Clinicians
LPC, LCSW, LMFT, PsyD, PhD
What We Treat
Trauma, Anxiety, Depression, ADHD & Neurodivergence, Grief & Loss, Couples & Relationships, and More
Insurance
Aetna, Curative, EHN, Harbor Health, Nomi Health, Sana, Self Pay: $145-215 per session with superbills provided
Availability
Available 7 days a week, evening and weekend appointments, for telehealth and in-person in South Austin & North Austin.
Awards & Recognition
Best Counseling Center in Austin 2026 (Austin-American Statesman & Austin Monthly), Runner-up 2025 (Austin Fit Magazine), Finalist Customer Experience (Greater Austin Business Awards). The New York Times, Harvard Business Review, AP News, Health.com, CBS Austin.
What Does First Responder Trauma Look Like?
Something gets stuck and starts weighing on you.
A Call That Replays
A bad call shows up again at night and keeps you from sleeping.
Fear of a Panic Attack
You start bracing for a panic attack, sometimes on the job.
Close to Retiring
You’re almost to the other side, still doing dangerous work, and the anxiety climbs.
Families Feel It Too
Spouses and kids sometimes need support of their own.
Is Therapy Confidential for First Responders?
Pay out of pocket, and nothing follows you.
Yes. Like any therapy, it’s confidential, and paying out of pocket means no insurance claim follows you. Most first responders worry about a record or a fitness-for-duty exam. If you see a therapist in private practice, you don’t have to use insurance. Pay out of pocket and there’s no insurance claim that follows you. Our self-pay rates are on our rates and insurance page. We go over the few legal limits on confidentiality, such as immediate danger, in your first session.
Why Does EMDR Often Work Fast for First Responders?
First responders are often uniquely good at clearing things quickly with EMDR, and a session or two can go a long way. We know most first responders don’t want to stay in therapy long, so we follow the standard EMDR protocol, build a plan together and get into the work. A 2026 systematic review found EMDR and CBT had the most consistent results for PTSD in first responders.
“Your story isn’t the worst I’ve heard, and I’ve seen people get better.”
William Schroeder, LPC, NCC, co-founder of Just Mind
How Does Just Mind Support First Responders?
EMDR Training That Runs Deep
Our EMDR therapists train with Rick Levinson, LCSW, who also trains clinicians through the Austin Police Department’s RESET Project.
A Consultant on Site
Teri Schroeder, LCSW, is an EMDR Consultant who supervises therapists toward certification, so your therapist has backup on hard cases.
Get Matched With a Therapist Who Fits
Tell our client care team what’s going on and what you want out of therapy. A real person reads it, suggests a few therapists and explains why each one fits. Most new clients have a first appointment within a few days.
When Should a First Responder Get Help?
Don’t wait until it spikes to a scary or dark place. The sleep, the irritability, the drinking and the call you can’t shake are all worth addressing. Read more in his post, When the Calls Build Up.
Cost and Insurance
Many first responders choose to pay out of pocket so there’s no insurance claim. Self-pay sessions run $145 to $215 depending on the therapist, and we can give you a superbill if you later want to use out-of-network benefits. We’re also in network with Aetna, EHN, Harbor Health, Nomi Health and Sana. See rates and insurance for details.
Meet Our Therapists for First Responders
Every therapist below works with trauma. Browse their profiles, or let our client care team suggest a few who fit.
Therapy for First Responders FAQs
Will therapy show up on my record at work?
Not if you pay out of pocket. With a private therapist and no insurance claim, nothing is sent to your department.
Do you offer evening, weekend or online sessions?
Yes. We have evening and weekend appointments in person and online anywhere in Texas.
Can my spouse or family get support?
Yes. We see partners on their own, couples together and kids and teens.
How many EMDR sessions will I need?
It varies. For a single call that keeps replaying, first responders often see real change in a session or two. Your therapist builds the plan with you at the start.
Do I have to talk through every detail of a call?
No. EMDR helps your brain process a memory so it loses its charge, and it doesn’t require you to describe every detail out loud.
What happens in the first session?
Your therapist learns what’s weighing on you, goes over the few legal limits on confidentiality, and builds a treatment plan with you. We know most first responders don’t want to be in therapy for long, so we get into the work quickly.
Are your therapists trained in EMDR?
Yes. Our EMDR therapists train with Rick Levinson, LCSW, and Teri Schroeder, LCSW, our co-founder, is an EMDR Consultant who supports them on hard cases.
Do you work with dispatchers and other public safety staff?
Yes. We see police, fire, EMS and dispatch, and over the years we’ve worked with people at every level of government.
What if my story is too much for a therapist to hear?
It won’t be. Most people who come in worry that what they’ve seen is the worst a therapist has heard, and it rarely is. We’ve seen a lot of people get better, and reaching out is usually the hardest step.
What if I'm thinking about suicide?
Call or text 988 to reach the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline any time. If you’re in immediate danger, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.
Ready to talk to someone? Book your first session today.
Related Services
Learn more about PTSD and trauma counseling.
- Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
- ADHD Counseling
- ADHD Testing
- Adult Counseling
- Affordable Counseling
- Anxiety Counseling
- Anxious Attachment Therapy
- Autism Counseling, Acceptance & Support
- Autism Testing
- Child Counseling & Play Therapy
- Childhood Trauma Counseling
- Cofounder Counseling
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy CBT
- DBT (Dialectical Behavior Therapy)
- Dating & Relationships Counseling
- Depression Counseling
- Discernment Counseling
- EMDR Therapy
- Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT)
- Employee Mental Wellness
- Family & Parenting Counseling
- Food Struggles & Body Image Counseling
- Gottman Method Therapy
- Grief Counseling
- Immigration Hardship Evaluations
- Individual Counseling & Coaching
- Internal Family Systems Therapy
- LGBTQ+ Counseling
- LGBTQ+ Couples Counseling
- Marriage & Couples Counseling
- Multicultural Counseling
- Neurodiversity Affirming Therapy
- Personal Growth Counseling
- Postpartum Depression Counseling
- OCD Therapy
- Pregnancy and Perinatal Therapy
- Premarital Counseling
- Psychological Assessments
- PTSD & Trauma Counseling
- Self-Esteem Therapy
- Single Session Therapy
- Somatic Therapy & Somatic Experiencing
- Spanish-Speaking Therapy
- Stress Management Therapy
- Teen Counseling
- Telehealth & Online Counseling
- Therapy for First Responders
- Therapy for Men
- Therapy for Women