Created in response to a growing need for quality mental health services at an affordable price, Capital Area Counseling (CAC) in Austin, TX has been providing low-cost, effective, and accessible psychotherapy for more than since 1980. Visit our SERVICES page more about the different types of counseling that we offer.
CAC is funded by local private foundations, fundraising efforts, individual donations, and client fees. All donations help us to help others in our community who are in need of high quality low cost counseling. Contributions to CAC are tax deductible. We believe that Black Lives Matter, Black Trans Lives Matter, and support the great imperative to end racism and discrimination.
CAC is funded by local private foundations, fundraising efforts, individual donations, and client fees. All donations help us to help others in our community who are in need of high quality low cost counseling. Contributions to CAC are tax deductible. We believe that Black Lives Matter, Black Trans Lives Matter, and support the great imperative to end racism and discrimination.
Services
Capital Area Counseling (CAC), formerly known as Capital Area Mental Health Center, was innovated in 1980 by members of the Capital Area Psychological Association who personally responded to the need for low-cost psychological services to people living in the Austin, TX. While there were low-cost medical clinics across the nation, no one had developed a mental health clinic using professional volunteers.
Psychotherapy in its broadest definition is about wellness, personal growth, and creating a life that works for you! It is about living a life that is most congruent with who you are and participating in the quality of relationships you desire. Counseling at Capital Area Counseling (CAC) is available for adults, adolescents, children, couples, and families in English and Spanish.
I am Kimberly Cannon, a Marriage and Family therapy pre-grad intern. My genuine passion is to help clients discover the root of those hindering hurdles and align with them to identify sustainable coping strategies. No single approach fits all, so I have resolved to continue my training as a life-long learner.
Our fees range from $15 to $60 per session and are based on income and household size. All intake sessions (your first session) are $20, unless you are part of one of our contracted partners like Foundation Communities or the Mike and Sherry Project. Session fees are due at the time they are provided.
The Mike & Sherry Project was created in 2019 with the mission to provide accessible mental health care to individuals working in the Austin restaurant and bar industry. The Project has arranged a flat fee per appointment for counseling services with Capital Area Counseling. Bars and restaurants participating in the program split a portion of that fee with employees who seek counseling services.
Reviews (21)
Brittany Johnson
Jan 02, 2021
Report
Veronica R.
Dec 05, 2019
Report
Terrible my therapist canceled on me multiple times, ran late and was extremely difficult to get responses from when I tried to reach out to her (which I tried to be extremely nice and understanding about). I decided to get a dog thinking it would help with my mental help especially because of I feel lonely and down most of the time and my therapist agreed to write me a letter and told me it was director approved, well a week later she said it'll be another week then after another week told me her director refused because ESA is abused, yes you're right I'm totally abusing ESA when
Ms. A.
Apr 22, 2019
Report
Janet M.
Nov 05, 2018
Report
Well, my approximately 4 months of therapy ended today. I waited a while to get in and believe that I got in a bit sooner due to my desperate plea for help. Just started trusting my therapist and opening up to them and I believe making some progress when, oops, sorry, time's up!!! It's a good idea in theory the cheap counseling but I think it harms the client in the long run because for some of us, trust is a difficult concept and baring our soul to a total stranger makes us very vulnerable indeed. Just a thought, make the therapy somehow last longer than 4 months. I realize others see
Terry E.
Apr 10, 2018
Report
William Cale
Jul 25, 2017
Report
Ginger Lynn Stevens
Jan 26, 2017
Report
Ted J.
Dec 19, 2016
Report
First, the therapists were truly friendly and caring, no big complaints there. I am "meh" on CAC since I went for a few months and didn't see any noticeable changes in myself, even though I went once a week. A lot of it was just them listening to my problems, but not a lot in the ways of fixing them. Group chat sessions are $5, which in my group was more of an "entry fee", since the therapists for the most part just observed what the group said. IMHO, it would have been cheaper to just meet at Starbucks with the group instead of CAC, and we could each get a brewed coffee
John Wagnon
Jul 29, 2016
Report
If you are concerned about having a consistent counselor long term, ask for a post-grad Intern - and be sure and talk about it with your counselor. If your counselor won't be available long term - they can transfer you to a counselor who will be. These guys want nothing more than to help you get the care you need.
Miranda D.
Apr 30, 2016
Report
I have dealt with depression and anxiety for most of my life, I was referred by my doctor who suggested it because it was a sliding scale cost and I've been unable to work. I called their office three times during their supposed business hours listed online, left my phone number and waited. Talking on the phone and answering calls are extremely hard for me because of my anxiety. The fourth message I left explains all of this saying that essentially I'm trying to get help and thanks for just making my anxiety flare up for no reason and how soured I am by the whole experience. They called
Ally S.
Apr 22, 2016
Report
Lyndee M.
Apr 13, 2016
Report
What a fantastic organization! This place is extremely affordable and I had a great experience with my therapist. I have encountered several different receptionists throughout my many sessions and have always been very impressed by the professionalism of the staff. They work really hard to put me at ease, and I would highly recommend this place to anyone in need of counseling. The atmosphere is very calming, naturally lit and in a beautiful building.
Sarah H.
Feb 03, 2016
Report
CAC is wonderful. We were on a the waiting list for couple's counseling for about a month before being seen. It was well worth the wait considering the sliding pay scale. If it wasn't for that, we wouldn't have been able to afford to get help. Christina works with our crazy schedule and sees us on Sunday morning. We have been seeing her for a long time now (I think a year) and we selfishly hope she never finishes her clinic hours :)
Kate M.
Feb 27, 2015
Report
This practice literally saved my life in 2014. They are so caring and understanding. I've worked with 3 different people and they have all offered different perspectives and helped me.
The only downside is that since you are working with grad students getting clinic hours, they eventually have a period of time between graduating and becoming certified where they can't see you. This is the only reason I've worked with 3 people but luckily CAC takes great care in selecting their staff. If attachment to a therapist is something you struggle with, just know going in that your first
The only downside is that since you are working with grad students getting clinic hours, they eventually have a period of time between graduating and becoming certified where they can't see you. This is the only reason I've worked with 3 people but luckily CAC takes great care in selecting their staff. If attachment to a therapist is something you struggle with, just know going in that your first
Michael Perdieu
Oct 13, 2014
Report
This is actually Michael Perdieu wife I was the one that went to counseling there and it took only 5 days from the day I called until I was sitting in the counselors office my session was truly refreshing I am kindà really looking forward to next week everyone was so polite and got me in at exactly my appointment time
Erika R.
Sep 30, 2014
Report
This is a good place for counseling because it provides services on a sliding scale based on income. The therapists are friendly and usually there to complete their 3000 hours for MFT or PhD licensure in therapy. The down side is that they are not always there until you are finished with their services. The therapist may be there 1 semester or 3 semesters. Also, if you go in the evening, after 5 pm, there is no front desk support so you, literally, have to stand outside and wait until one of the therapist's sees you and can open the door for you. If it's raining it truly sucks!
Bonnye Bauerle
Sep 20, 2012
Report
Renee C.
May 04, 2010
Report
I don't know nothing 'bout nothing.
That's about all I do know.
I love learning about WHY people do the things they do. That's probably why criminal justice and psychology are freaking fascinating to me. But anyway...learning more about myself and my weird little ticks...ok so the not so little ones too...yeah that's harder. But to grow and work towards being that best version of myself, CAMH has been a truly enlightening experience.
CAMH has offered me a window into me and my life and the opportunity to grow. This is not my first counseling rodeo, no no mister. I have
That's about all I do know.
I love learning about WHY people do the things they do. That's probably why criminal justice and psychology are freaking fascinating to me. But anyway...learning more about myself and my weird little ticks...ok so the not so little ones too...yeah that's harder. But to grow and work towards being that best version of myself, CAMH has been a truly enlightening experience.
CAMH has offered me a window into me and my life and the opportunity to grow. This is not my first counseling rodeo, no no mister. I have
Jori S.
Feb 09, 2010
Report
I'm not crazy, I just like to talk, and they like to listen.
Great place for affordable mental health services, which goes on a income sliding scale (initial visit usually $15).
Everyone that I have spoken to is really friendly (i.e setting up apointments over the phone, the cashier/front desk, and especially the counselors). Would recommend to a friend that needs help, or anyone that has something to get off there chest.
Great place for affordable mental health services, which goes on a income sliding scale (initial visit usually $15).
Everyone that I have spoken to is really friendly (i.e setting up apointments over the phone, the cashier/front desk, and especially the counselors). Would recommend to a friend that needs help, or anyone that has something to get off there chest.
Shawn D.
Jun 03, 2008
Report
Natalia B.
Apr 15, 2008
Report
****DISCLAIMER****I used to counsel here before I completed my hours for licensure. I no longer counsel here.
CAMHC is a wonderful organization where you can receive quality, affordable mental health care.
THE WAY IT WORKS: The counselors that work here are in training. They are either receiving their Masters in counseling, their PhD's in counseling, or they are working on their 3,000 post masters hours for licensure. This place offers counseling services in accordance with how much you make. The fee ranges from $10 - $40 an hour depending on your income.
Let's face it, counseling
CAMHC is a wonderful organization where you can receive quality, affordable mental health care.
THE WAY IT WORKS: The counselors that work here are in training. They are either receiving their Masters in counseling, their PhD's in counseling, or they are working on their 3,000 post masters hours for licensure. This place offers counseling services in accordance with how much you make. The fee ranges from $10 - $40 an hour depending on your income.
Let's face it, counseling
