Recently, I had the opportunity to share my story with VoyageAustin. It was an honor, and I’m grateful for the chance to talk about the path that led me into this work. But like any interview, there’s only so much you can fit into a single article.
I wanted to expand on that conversation here — to give a fuller picture of why The Mindset Counseling Group exists, what we believe in, and where we’re headed.
Before opening the clinic, I spent 15 years as a basketball and track coach and a high school teacher. That chapter shaped me more than I realized at the time. Wins and losses mattered, but what stayed with me were the relationships — the long talks, the trust, the moments when someone knew you were really in their corner.
As I grew as a husband, father, and human being, something clicked:
the moments I valued most weren’t about sports — they were about people.
That realization led me into counseling and later into graduate degrees in counseling and sport psychology. From there, my path took me into school counseling and eventually into resiliency training at Ft. Hood as a Master Resiliency Trainer. That role exposed me to the very real and very urgent mental-health needs in our community.
If you’d like to hear more about the transition from coaching to counseling, I walk through the entire journey in Episode 1 of my podcast, Unfiltered Counseling — a raw, honest look at what pushed me toward this work.
After two decades in Central Texas, one thing became impossible to ignore:
The demand for mental-health services was far greater than the supply.
People were being told to wait two, three, sometimes six months for a trained professional. And anyone who has ever struggled knows this:
When someone finally reaches out for help, asking them to wait months feels like closing the door.
So in 2023, I opened The Mindset Counseling Group, right across from Ft. Hood, with one non-negotiable mission:
That commitment shapes everything we do:
Accessibility isn’t just a value here — it’s the foundation.
One thing VoyageAustin didn’t have space to highlight is how intentionally we’ve expanded our services. Every modality, every provider, and every clinical decision is centered around one question:
What gives our clients the best chance at real healing?
We currently offer:
And recently, we welcomed Grace, PMHNP, who leads medication management with the same warmth, compassion, and clinical excellence we expect across the practice.
Medication isn’t the answer for everyone — but when it is, clients deserve a provider who listens, explains, and collaborates. Grace has been a gift to both our team and our clients.
There is no shortage of talented clinicians in this field. What I believe sets Mindset apart is something simple, but rare:
I’ve been told more than once that my “raw and uncensored” approach helps people feel comfortable enough to actually say what they mean. One of the best compliments I’ve ever received was from a former student who said:
“Dr. A is real.”
That’s something I carry with me every day.
We don’t rush sessions.
We don’t treat people like numbers.
We meet you exactly where you are — whether that’s crisis, confusion, hope, grief, or rebuilding.
Healing requires two things:
We’ve worked intentionally to create both — a grounded, welcoming space and a team that genuinely cares about the people who walk through our doors.
Whether someone comes to us for trauma recovery, emotional regulation, anxiety, depression, life transitions, or family dynamics, our goal is the same:
Personally and professionally, one value guides everything we do:
People deserve a place where they can say what’s really on their mind without judgment.
A place where the person across from them is human, honest, and present.
That is — and always will be — the heart of The Mindset Counseling Group.
If you’re navigating something difficult, if you’re tired of long waitlists, or if you’re curious about whether EMDR, KAP, or medication management is right for you, we’re here.
Truly here.
You will be met with:
And most importantly:
By: Dr. John Avritt, LPC-S
Content Strategist: Roger Macias, Metrix Media Labs
🔗 https://metrixmedialabs.com
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