Welcome to Austin Child Guidance Center

Getting Started

To request mental health services from ACGC, please fill out our Request for Service Form

If you have general questions, please call us at 512-451-2242 or email us at info@austinchildguidance.org

Services are available for clients aged 3-26 years and their families

What to Expect

Intake

During the pre-screening call, Intake staff will determine if ACGC services are a good fit for you, your child, or your family’s needs. Intake staff will ask about you, your child, and your family, including your family’s needs and concerns, and explain our services. The legal guardian must participate in this process.

If ACGC services are a good fit for your family, our Intake staff will connect you to our client portal, where you will complete and submit the required paperwork and documents.

Required documents include current proof of:

Income (examples include payroll stubs/checks, bank statements, SSI/SSDI aware letter, letter from employer) or a Self-Certification of Income, provided to you by ACGC

Residency (examples include rent/utility receipts, current lease or mortgage agreement, public assistance/benefits document, current school records)
Identity (examples include current Driver’s License or Texas ID, unexpired student ID with photo, passport)

Insurance (if applicable)

Once all paperwork is completed and required documents are uploaded, the Intake staff will call to schedule an Intake appointment. During this call, Intake staff will:

Determine whether you qualify for special grant-funded programming and other payor options, including a self-pay fee schedule.

Schedule an appointment with your assigned clinician.

NO SERVICES WILL BE SCHEDULED UNTIL ALL REQUIRED PAPERWORK IS SUBMITTED.  

IF REQUIRED PAPERWORK IS NOT SUBMITTED WITHIN 30 DAYS, YOUR APPLICATION WILL BECOME INACTIVE.

Due to high demand, ACGC does not keep a waitlist for therapy services.  

Accepted Insurance

Aetna / Curative, Meritain Health / EHN
Ambetter
Blue Cross Blue Shield / Anthem
Champ VA
Cigna / Evernorth 
Dell Children’s Health Plan / Magellan
Employers Health Network
Medical Assistance Program (Travis County)
Superior Health Plan [Star Medicaid and Star Kids]
Texas Medicaid & Healthcare Partnership [Traditional Medicaid]
Texas Children’s Health Plan 
Tricare West
United Healthcare / United Behavioral Health / Optum / UMR 
Wellpoint
Others

You must show ACGC a current insurance card. ACGC will check if your insurance is active and can be used. If we can take your insurance, we will send them a bill. Sometimes your insurance might only cover part of the cost. You'll need to pay the rest, based on what your plan covers.

Self-Pay Fee Schedule

We do not want the cost of treatment to be a barrier to accessing care.  

As part of the Intake process, our team will discuss any financial barriers, resources, and specific payment options available.  To qualify for the self-pay fee schedule or free grant-funded programs, you must provide proof of income (such as pay stubs or statements), residency (where you live), and identity (who you are).  

If you receive services at our building, payment is collected when check-in for your appointment. Payment for teletherapy (virtual) services is collected at the beginning of your appointment using a credit card on file.  

ACGC accepts Visa, MasterCard, Discover, American Express, and cash.

Effective July 1, 2026, please see our updated self-pay fee schedule below.

Access to Care

The Access to Care Initiative makes sure every family can get mental health care, even if they can’t afford to pay. These funds come from donations, fundraisers, small fees from clients, and payments from insurance or other programs.

The Access to Care Initiative is generously supported by: 

Michael and Susan Dell Foundation

Topfer Family Foundation

Transportation Options

If you can’t safely travel to and from your appointments, free or low-cost options include:   

Switch to Teletherapy - Set up teletherapy appointments with your therapist. If you have technology needs, please tell your therapist, and they can help you get started with ACGC's Technology Lending Program.

CARTS – Regional transportation for the non-urban areas of Bastrop, Blanco, Burnet, Caldwell, Fayette, Hays, Lee, Travis, and Williamson counties; go to www.ridecarts.com.