Overview

Welcome to Austin Child Guidance Center (ACGC), your trusted partner in the healing and wellness of children and families, offering comprehensive mental health and consultation services. From therapy and counseling to psychological assessment, education, and training, our mission is to provide a range of evidence-based interventions to support children, teens, young adults, and their families on their journey towards mental well-being, regardless of their ability to pay.  

Our team of experienced licensed professionals, including child and family therapists, counselors, and psychologists, is dedicated to providing compassionate care tailored to your families’ unique needs. Whether you're seeking in-person sessions or online child therapy, ACGC is here to support you every step of the way.   

To ensure the health and safety of our clients and staff and meet the needs of clients and community, all our clinical services, except for psychological assessments, are offered in-person and via tele-therapy, as well as in English and Spanish. For additional language needs, a language line can be made available upon request.   

ACGC is not a crisis or critical care center. If your child is actively suicidal or experiencing a serious crisis, please call 911 or take them to the nearest hospital. 

For any questions about our services, email info@austinchildguidance.org or call us at 512-451-2242. 

Individual and Family Therapy 

At ACGC, our Individual and Family Therapy services are led by licensed mental health clinicians, provisionally licensed clinicians, and supervised student clinicians with a focus on child behavioral therapy. We offer a safe and supportive environment for clients to explore personal challenges and strengthen familial relationships. Our team of experienced mental health professionals utilizes evidence-based techniques to address a wide range of mental health concerns, providing comprehensive clinical mental health counseling to children and their families.  

Group Therapy 

During group therapy sessions, clients connect with others facing similar challenges in a supportive group setting, guided by skilled facilitators. These sessions foster shared experiences, mutual support, and personal growth, providing an opportunity for participants to learn from each other and develop valuable coping skills in a collaborative environment.  

Psychological Assessments  

Our comprehensive Psychological Assessments, conducted by licensed psychologists, provide insights into cognitive functioning, emotional well-being, and behavioral patterns. These assessments inform personalized therapeutic recommendations tailored to each client's unique needs, ensuring effective child mental health services catered to individual requirements. Psychological Assessment provides a plan for independent school districts (ISDs), teachers, and counselors, enabling children to access services designed to increase their school success.  

Infant and Early Childhood Services 

The Infant and Early Childhood Services (IEC) program offers support to early childhood education teachers and administrators, with a focus on child development and social-emotional learning, to prepare children aged 0-6 for school. IEC Therapists conduct classroom assessments and observations to create a tailored plan that includes consultation, education, coaching, and training. 

Trauma-Informed Care 

ACGC was one of the first agencies in Central Texas to become trauma informed, using approaches such as certified  trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy (TF-CBT) and Parent Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT). These interventions aim to reduce the onset of PTSD and improve parent and child functioning. In addition to providing universal screenings for trauma, ACGC prioritizes an inclusive and welcoming environment for all families so that they can begin the healing process.   

According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), the definition of trauma-informed for a professional entity is “when every part of its organization, management, and service delivery system is assessed and potentially modified to include a basic understanding of how trauma affects the life of an individual seeking services. Trauma-informed organizations, programs, and services are based on an understanding of the vulnerabilities or triggers of trauma survivors that traditional service delivery approaches may exacerbate, so that these services and programs can be more supportive and avoid re-traumatization.” The principal tenets of trauma-informed care are safety, trustworthiness, collaboration, choice, empowerment, and cultural inclusivity.    

Online Child and Family Therapy 

Families have multiple options for working with ACGC 

All therapy services are available both in-person and online.   

Parents, guardians, and caregivers can complete the intake process in person or through a secure teletherapy platform to participate in individual and family therapy, as well as community education programs and workshops.    

We are HIPAA compliant.  

Accreditation by The Joint Commission

ACGC adheres to nationally recognized standards, as evidenced by our accreditation status with The Joint Commission and our receipt of a Gold Seal of Approval™.  ACGC has maintained this voluntary accreditation since 1986. 

The Joint Commission is the nation’s leading accrediting body for healthcare organizations. We voluntarily choose to be reviewed by the Joint Commission because it represents quality healthcare, and so do we. It sets high standards of care and evaluates healthcare organizations against more than 1,500 standards.  

As the demand for greater accountability for quality and costs increases, it becomes more important than ever to maintain the quality distinction. Achieving accreditation sends a strong message to the Central Texas community about our ACGC’s commitment to providing mental health services of the highest quality.