Jennifer L. Ayres, Ph.D., ABPP, HSP
- In-Person in Central Austin | Telehealth Nationwide
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Based in Central Austin
In-Person & Virtual Care
Jennifer L. Ayres, Ph.D., ABPP, HSP
Start with a free phone call
Anxiety can take over your day. Thoughts race, your body stays on alert, and the to‑do list never ends. It’s also workable. We’ll look at what’s driving it, calm your nervous system, and build realistic strategies that fit your life.
At Still River Counseling, I use evidence‑based, trauma‑informed care to interrupt worry loops, neutralize critical inner dialogue, improve sleep and focus, and help you set boundaries that stick.
Tools and strategies to calm your body and settle your mind.
Stress Management
Panic Attacks
Health Anxiety
Work Stress
Overwhelm
Burnout
Overthinking
Rumination
Intrusive Thoughts
Worry
Social Anxiety
Catastrophic Thinking
Perfectionism
People-Pleasing
Boundaries
Avoidance Cycles
Hyper-Vigilance
Somatic Symptoms
Sleep Problems
Insomnia
Time Management
Nervous System Regulation
Anxiety shows up in thoughts, the body, self-talk, and daily routines. We’ll start by mapping your patterns and goals, then use an integrative, evidence‑based mix, CBT, ACT, DBT skills with mindfulness and self‑compassion, to calm your nervous system and challenge unhelpful thinking.
The work is practical and paced. We’ll build small, doable changes you can use between sessions, clear boundary language, brief grounding, worry scheduling, and sleep routines, while tracking what actually helps. We prevent overwhelm, adjust as life shifts, and focus on progress you can feel in your week.
Fill out our quick form and I’ll reach out with a phone call.
We’ll clarify what brings you in, how anxiety shows up (thoughts, body, behavior), and what “better” looks like. You’ll leave with 1-2 small practices to start.
It varies and depends on your goals. Many people notice relief within 4-6 sessions when we target specific skills. Deeper patterns can take longer. We’ll set goals and check progress regularly.
No. You will never be forced to talk about anything you do not want to discuss. We will work at your pace and only discuss topics that you feel ready to explore.
Yes. We map triggers and body cues, teach tools to ride out panic safely, and reduce frequency/intensity over time. We’ll also build a plan for what to do if panic spikes in public.
It depends on your goals. Some clients appreciate brief, 5-10-minute practices between sessions, like a boundary script, a quick downshift exercise, worry scheduling, or structured journaling. Others prefer to skip homework and let insights unfold naturally during daily life. We’ll choose what supports your progress without adding stress.
Not necessarily. Whether you take medication is completely up to you. Some clients prefer therapy without medication; others find that combining therapy with medication helps them manage anxiety more effectively. If you do take medication, I’m happy to collaborate with your prescriber so our approaches stay aligned and supportive.
Yes. I offer evidence-based anxiety therapy for children and teens. Sessions use developmentally appropriate tools such as play, visuals, emotion-mapping, and self-compassion to help young clients understand and manage worries and other anxiety symptoms. I also collaborate with caregivers and teachers to ensure these skills carry over at home and school.
Yes. I use a secure, HIPAA-compliant telehealth platform that allows adults, couples, and teens to join sessions from a safe, private location(s) of their choosing. Some children can engage well through telehealth, but most benefit more from in-person counseling. For younger children, in-person sessions are typically more effective because of their shorter attention spans and need for hands-on, play-based activities.
I am not in-network with any insurance plans. However, many insurance companies offer full or partial reimbursement for services provided by an out-of-network therapist. You can call your insurance plan to ask about their reimbursement policies and any required documentation. All sessions are paid by the client before the appointment. If requested, I’m happy to provide a superbill that you can submit to your insurance for potential reimbursement.
I’m licensed in Texas, California, and New Mexico, a PSYPACT psychologist for participating states, and a registered telehealth provider in Florida. Clients must be physically located in a state where I’m authorized to practice at the time of each session.
Still River Counseling is an outpatient private practice and does not provide on-call or emergency services. Clients must be able to maintain their safety and the safety of others during and between sessions. If you are in crisis or feel at risk of harming yourself or someone else, please seek immediate help by going to the nearest emergency room, calling 911, or contacting the National Suicide & Crisis Hotline at 988.
