Rebecca Athanason, LCSW

Through her compassionate, action-oriented approach to therapy, Ms. Athanason maintains a safe, trusting environment to help her clients reconceptualize and better understand their experiences. She provides clients with a conceptual framework to help them understand the neurological processes that lead to their mental wellness struggles and equips them with practical skills to put into action. She uses cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), exposure and response prevention (ERP), cognitive processing therapy (CPT), and acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) in her work with clients. She also works from a Health at Every Size (HAES) perspective. Valuing the importance of taking the client’s whole environment into perspective, Ms. Athanason works closely with parents, schools, physicians, dietitians/nutritionists, and other treatment providers.

Ms. Athanason received her Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology from the University of Florida and earned her Master of Science degree in Social Work at the University of Texas at Austin. She has experience working with adults (including seniors and active duty/veterans), adolescents, and children in outpatient, residential, and inpatient treatment settings. Ms. Athanason worked at the Child and Adolescent Psychiatry department in Gainesville, Florida, where she gained valuable experience in researching and implementing cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) techniques working with patients experiencing anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder, eating disorders, trichotillomania, and mental health disorders exacerbated by physical health diagnoses. She received diverse training experiences throughout her educational career. Ms. Athanason worked with children and families at Easter Seals of Central Texas, with a focus on managing behavioral symptoms both at home and at school. During this time, she also received training in trauma focused-cognitive behavioral therapy for children and adolescents. At the Central Texas VA she worked in both inpatient hospice and the Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Clinic, where she received training and experience in CBT and cognitive processing therapy (CPT).

Post-graduation, Ms. Athanason worked with senior citizens and veterans in Austin, Texas, with an emphasis on end-of-life issues, grief, dementia/Alzheimer’s disease, and depression. She also worked with clients with acute psychiatric illness (child and adult), PTSD, eating disorders, and substance abuse (civilian, veteran, and active duty) in an inpatient and residential setting. She became a Certified Provider in CPT and received training in ACT. She also has extensive training and experience in using mindfulness and meditation for mental health issues. She is a licensed clinical Social Worker in the state of Texas (56552).

When she isn’t in the office, Ms. Athanason enjoys spending time with her family, hiking and being outdoors, traveling, yoga, cooking, sewing, and playing with her two dogs.

Ms. Athanason provides online video therapy sessions. For more information about Ms. Athanason’s availability or to schedule an appointment please call 512-246-7225 or visit our client portal.