Anxiety Treatment
How to heal from anxiety after bad experiences–so you can show up for the people who matter most.
We empower ALL people to FEEL, HEAL, & THRIVE after trauma with counseling that works.
- Austin
- Round Rock
- Online Therapy across Texas
If this sounds like you, you're in the right place...
Your brain won’t shut off—especially at 2am. You’re snappy with the people you love, racing through the day with a tight chest, and then crashing with guilt.
Panic shows up out of nowhere.
You keep it together at work or for your family, but inside you feel like you’re failing them. You want calm—not just for you, but because your partner, kids, clients, or team need you well.
Why anxiety can feel "too big"
Your brain won’t shut off—especially at 2am. You’re snappy with the people you love, racing through the day with a tight chest, and then crashing with guilt.
Panic shows up out of nowhere.
You keep it together at work or for your family, but inside you feel like you’re failing them. You want calm—not just for you, but because your partner, kids, clients, or team need you well.
Why Hope For The Journey
(Three Things That Make Us Unique for Anxiety Treatment)
True Trauma Specialists
We don’t just “do” trauma—we specialize in it.
Every clinician is trained in trauma-focused approaches (including EMDR) and experienced with complex trauma, dissociation, and sexual trauma.
If your story has felt like “too much” or been misunderstood before, we get it.
Creative, Personalized Care
Whether you are looking for weekly counseling or EMDR intensives (in-office, in-home, or at our Galveston beach retreat), we are more than just talk therapy.
From your first call, a real person helps you find your best-fit therapist. Your plan is tailored to your needs and evolves as we learn what works for you—no cookie-cutter treatment here.
Real Change that Changes everything
Anxiety and trauma don’t just hurt you—they trample into your home life, work hours, and friendships.
Our therapists use proven tools to help you break stuck patterns and build the life you want—calmer mornings, kinder evenings, steadier leadership, warmer connections.
Meet Our Anxiety Treatment Team
Clinical Director Katy Harmon, LCSW, EMDR, IFS Level I
Resident Clinician Sabina Masnica, LMSW, EMDR pending
Advanced Clinician Heather Hammock, LMFT, EFT, EMDR, Sex Therapist
Senior Therapist Maegan Woytek, LPC, EMDR Certified
Traci W. Pirri, LCSW-S, Owner/Executive Director
Advanced Clinician Shauna Diawaku, LPC, EMDR
Resident Clinician Oliver Papa, LPC-Associate, EMDR, Narrative Therapy
Resident Clinician Bailey Pellissier, LMSW, EMDR
1. Feel
Starting therapy is scary! So first, we make it safe.
You’ll learn what makes you tick plus simple body-calming skills (grounding that works, breath that helps, better sleep) so right from the start you can feel more in control.
Panic gets manageable. The spiraling gets less intense and doesn’t last as long.
2. Heal
Then, when you’re ready, we process what’s underneath with EMDR, parts-work, and attachment-focused work—at your pace.
Don’t worry if any of that sounds unfamiliar or scary. We walk you through all the options & work with you to develop a plan that you can feel confident in.
3. Thrive
Next, we help you start to live out the positive things you now believe about yourself.
When you believe you matter (because the past is no longer holding you back), your relationships, decisions, and future changes.
Finally, we make sure the changes stick in real life.
What Anxiety Treatment Looks Like
Relief First Let’s get your sleep sorted and help you build a panic first aid kit. You’ll start seeing small wins at home.
Build Awareness Now you’ll really start learning about yourself, your triggers, and what makes you tick including what past experiences might be driving the bus on your anxiety.
Deep work Once you’re ready, we’ll consider EMDR reprocessing (weekly or intensive) and/or build a treatment plan that really starts to make things shift.
Real-life support At this point your life will be changing in large and small ways. We’ll help you with scripts for boundaries, tough conversations, and repair any relationships (if needed) at home/work.
Anxiety Treatment after Sexual Trauma
EMDR Intensives (go deeper, faster)
What changes when anxiety calms
Where We Help
FAQ: Anxiety Treatment & EMDR (Austin, Round Rock, Texas Telehealth)
No. We start with safety and skills. EMDR doesn’t require graphic detail to work—we follow your pace.
Many clients notice small wins in the first few weeks (sleep, panic first aid) even with complex trauma. Deeper relief builds as we process root causes with EMDR—weekly or intensive.
You’ve heard about EMDR and are curious, but also a little nervous. Does it work? What is it like? Is it like mind-control? Does it actually work online? Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a proven, powerful tool. It helps heal trauma, PTSD, depression, anxiety, and many other mental health issues. We know. It sounds like magic. I mean, is it possible to have a memory that’s haunted you your entire life suddenly feel farther away and not as important? The answer is yes (and no). EMDR is a short-term treatment model that can heal simple traumas in as little as 1-3 sessions. While it is powerful and often very effective, it is not magic. Instead, it is an 8-phased treatment model that is tailored to your needs. It may take many months or even years to complete. This will depend on if you are suffering from complex trauma or other complicated issues. EMDR therapy may be simple and fast or more complicated. Either way, our therapists at Hope For The Journey have got you covered.
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No. You won’t be hypnotized.
You will be in full control at all times. In fact, we’ll even teach you how to signal us to stop if needed.
You may have tried other counseling options before. You may have even tried EMDR before and not had great results. The benefits you receive from EMDR are a direct result of your therapist’s skills and training. Plus, your own readiness for treatment.
At Hope For The Journey, our EMDR therapists receive regular, ongoing consultation and training.
- EMDR Basic Training
- Follow Up Consultation towards EMDR Training
- Weekly Complex Trauma Consultation Group
- EMDR Certification
- EMDR Consultant Training
It’s likely how your nervous system learned to survive. With trauma-informed care, your system can learn a safer default.
- Austin, Texas
- Round Rock, Texas
- Online Therapy for all of Texas
No. You won’t need to “white-knuckle” it through your worst memories.
Before we start working on memories, you will learn how to shift into a state of calm and safety fast.
We will also develop several “resources” to help you turn down the intensity of a memory if needed.
This is part of Phase Two of EMDR: Preparation. This phase might be pretty long, depending on how complex your history of trauma is.
Well…all therapy is leaning into things that are uncomfortable or painful. However, if we’re doing our job right and you’re feeling comfortable enough to be real about your experience, we will help you build the skills and confidence you need to tolerate the emotions before we dive into the deep stuff.
BLS can occur in many ways. This can may including eye movements, tapping, alternating tones in your ears, and more.
For kids, it might look like playing patty-cake or coloring on a piece of paper back and forth.
For online therapy, your therapist will likely instruct you how to tap below your shoulders, on your legs, or cheeks. Or, they might have you use an online program that assists you in doing eye movements or using tones.
EMDR therapy has a distinct beginning and end, unlike some therapies that can go on and on for years.
You know you’re done when you truly believe something positive about yourself. You can see it playing out in your reactions, your relationships, and your relaxed body. You feel different.
We’re a self-pay practice and provide superbills for out-of-network reimbursement. See current rates here: /rates-insurance/.