Counseling & Discussion Groups | Shalom Austin

COUNSELING & GROUPS

OFFERING SUPPORT

Shalom Austin Jewish Family Service provides one-on-one counseling with a therapist as well as support groups for those who want to connect with others sharing similar experiences. JFS serves people regardless of race, religion, disability, gender or sexual orientation. 

ONE-ON-ONE COUNSELING

We provide a safe and supportive environment with licensed therapists to assist adults, adolescents, children, couples, and families to improve their overall mental health and well-being. 

Jewish Family Service now offers our confidential and compassionate mental health services through telehealth platforms. Our highly skilled therapists offer video therapy and counseling, either on a sliding fee scale or through eligible insurance.

JFS accepts the following insurance coverage for counseling services: Medicare, Blue Cross Blue Shield PPO, Humana, Aetna, United Healthcare, Magellan, and Cigna.

Contact JFS for more information about our sliding scale:  
(512) 250-1043 | jfs@shalomaustin.org 

ACTIVE SUPPORT & DISCUSSION GROUPS

Professional woman meditating at her work desk

Mood & Mindfulness

Find Your Balance in a World Off-kilter

This group is virtual and meets on Zoom the second Tuesday of each month at 11AM

Currently, Jewish Family Service is offering this group at no cost.

Contact Emma for more information and to register:
(512) 735-8124 |
 emma.howitt@shalomaustin.org

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Calm & Connection

Learn the tools to get out of the anxiety trap

Many of us suffer anxiety in one form or another.

In this in-person group, we consider new ways to understand anxiety and tools to manage it. Group members also lean on each other for support with the day-to-day challenges of their lives.

– Share whats’ on your mind
– Meet others who get it
– Learn anxiety management

Mondays 11:30 AM – 12:30 PM | Dell JCC

Contact Matt for information and to register:
(512) 735-8020 | matt.smith@shalomaustin.org

Family Caregiver Support Group

You are not alone. This group is a safe place for family members caring for adult loved ones to discuss the stresses, challenges, and rewards of caregiving. 

  • Connect with other caregivers
  • Learn about community resources
  • Talk through issues and ways of coping 

Group meets bi-weekly on Thursdays.

Suggested Donation $18 per Session
All income levels welcome. Sliding scale fee may be available upon request.)

Shelly Russell, LCSW is a therapist at JFS who specializes in working with older adults and was a caregiver for her mother. Liron Ramon is a Case Manager at JFS and is a gerontologist experienced in educating and coaching older adults and caregivers, and has led caregiver groups in Israel.

Contact Liron for more information and to register:
 (512) 735-8118 | liron.ramon@shalomaustin.org 

Wellness with a Disability

Approximately one in five Americans has a disability. This group provides a safe, confidential, and supportive space for adult members of the Austin Jewish community who have a disability: mental, physical, emotional, or other. The group members discuss issues related to their own disabilities and broader disability concerns, and to offer support and ways to cope with aspects of life.​ ​While group is a place to find community, it is also a place to develop deeper connections with others, accept and receive support, increase interpersonal communication skills, build self-awareness, and increase sense of self.​ ​

Every Friday | 2:00PM – 3:30PM | Ongoing | Free of Charge | Online 

Contact Amanda Mills for more information and to register:
512-735-8127 | amanda.mills@shalomaustin.org

I am able:
Empowerment Group

This group provides an inclusive space that celebrates invisible differences. Together, we work on building skills through social opportunities and increasing confidence.

Registration: shalomaustin.org/iamable

Biweekly Tuesdays | 11:00AM – 12:30PM | Ongoing | Free of Charge |
In-Person at Dell JCC Campus 

Contact Adam Hartman for more information and to register:
512-735-8081 | adam.hartman@shalomaustin.org

COMING SOON

SPACE: 6 Sessions to Empower Parents to Ease Child Anxiety

Coming Soon: March 2024!

SPACE is an evidence-based group that focuses on teaching parents concepts and skills for responding supportively to their child’s anxiety. It helps parents build their child’s confidence and improve family functioning. The group also provides opportunities to connect with and get support from other parents. It is appropriate for parents of children or teenagers of any age who experience anxiety.

Mondays | 12 – 1PM | Virtual Group | March 18 – April 22

Contact Amanda Mills to inquire about registration: amanda.mills@shalomaustin.org

Life Transitions:
A 5-week Journey to Embrace Change

Coming Soon: APRIL 2024!

Life transitions can be welcomed as an opportunity to address issues through a positive mindset founded on faith, resulting in relief and progress.

Cost: $54 for 5 sessions

Thursdays | 7 – 8:30 PM | Dell JCC | April 4 – May 22

Contact: Jonathan Harris, jonathan.harris@shalomaustin.org

Registration: shalomaustin.org/life-transitions

 

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Grief & Loss

Grief has a tendency to take over the narrative. Join JFS clinicians and participants who have experienced grief, as we talk about and explore how to continue writing your story. This will be a space to learn about the impact of grief on our bodies and minds, share about how grief and loss are impacting you, and to connect with others who may share pieces of your experience. 

Wednesdays 6:30PM – 8PM | Dell JCC

Contact Maura for more information and to register:
(512) 735-8120 | maura.kinney@shalomaustin.org

Powerful Tools for Caregivers

This series of six classes is designed to empower family caregivers of older adults to take better care of themselves.

  • Identify and reduce personal stress
  • Communicate feelings, needs and concerns 
  • Communicate more effectively during challenging situations 

For more information and to register, please contact JFS:
(512) 735-8120 | jfscasemanagement@shalomaustin.org

Program partners: St David’s Foundation, CareGiverU, Age of Central Texas

Parenting: The Real Deal

JFS is excited to offer a 6-week parenting support group for parents. Facilitated by Dr. Alyssa Gilden, a child and family psychologist and a mom, this group will allow parents to come together and support one another in the ever-evolving quest to be whole humans and parents. The group will cover intimacy and connection, bedtime and other buttons, celebrating the individual you, and much more.

Contact Alyssa for more information and to register:
(512) 735-8128 | alyssa.gilden@shalomaustin.org  

Wise Aging 2.0

There is no set of instructions for getting older—for the shifts in our social and support networks, the feeling of invisibility, the angst of dealing with aging parents, the mixed signals of entering retirement, or the surprising turns in our relationships with ourselves, our partners, friends, and colleagues. On the other hand, those of us currently in this stage can count ourselves as part of an extraordinary, history-making generation—pioneers in understanding and making the most of this “third chapter” of life. Many of us will be blessed with unprecedented healthy years ahead, full of potential for learning and growth.

The Wise Aging program is designed to give Jewish adults 55 and older spiritual resources while opening up conversations about what it means not just to get older but to age wisely. Together we will create space in our hearts and new understandings about life so we can live with spirit, resilience, and joy.

Contact JFS for more information and to register: jfs@shalomaustin.org
Registration cost of $250 will include all sessions and a copy of the book Wise Aging.
(Scholarships are available if the price of this group is a barrier.)

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Holocaust Intergenerational Trauma Group

New group begins soon!

Second and third generations of Holocaust survivors are invited for a 6-session group to explore and resolve inherited trauma from the Holocaust.

Facilitators:
  • Audrey Thompson, author of The Choice
  • Leila Levinson, LCSW
  • Liron Ramon, JFS Case Manager, Gerontologist

Contact Liron for more information and to register:
(512) 735-8118 | liron.ramon@shalomaustin.org 

GOOD FAITH ESTIMATE NOTICE

You have the right to receive a ‘Good Faith Estimate’ explaining how much your therapy may cost.
Under the law, health care providers need to give patients who do not have insurance, or who are not using insurance, a cost estimate of the bill for medical items and services.

  • You have the right to receive a ‘Good Faith Estimate’ for the total expected cost of any non-emergency items or services. This includes related costs like medical tests, drugs, equipment, and hospital fees. 
  • Your health care provider must give you a ‘Good Faith Estimate’ in writing for scheduled services within designated timeframes. You can also ask your health care provider for a ‘Good Faith Estimate’ before you schedule an item or service.
  • If you receive a bill that is at least $400 more than your ‘Good Faith Estimate’, you can dispute the bill.
  • Make sure to save a copy or picture of your Good Faith Estimate.

For questions or more information about your rights to a Good Faith Estimate, visit www.cms.gov/nosurprises.

TEXAS PUBLIC COMPLAINT NOTICE

The Texas Behavioral Health Executive Council investigates and prosecutes professional misconduct committed by marriage and family therapists, professional counselors, psychologists, psychological associates, social workers, and licensed specialists in school psychology.  

Although not every complaint against or dispute with a licensee involves professional misconduct, the Executive Council will provide you with information about how to file a complaint. Please call 1-800-821-3205 for more information.

For assistance please contact: Texas Behavioral Health Executive Council

Terms of Use for Client Connect Portal

Please note we are not a 24/7 crisis center. If you have a mental health emergency, please call 512-472-4357 [HELP]. 

Rachel VanScoyoc

Rachel VanScoyoc

Program Coordinator and Administrator

O (512) 250-1043
jfs@shalomaustin.org

CONTACT US