Just Mind Counseling

This is just regarding Diana Schaefer. The facility has been beyond kind and helpful, and I hope to find a therapist here that fits my needs.

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Years and years ago, a therapist told me I was a whore for kissing a boy on the first date. I thought that would forever be my worst story of therapy gone wrong, of a therapist superimposing their own beliefs and issues on me. Diana hit a new record. She "fired" me as a client and pulled wildly unethical moves before doing so.

I wholly believe that there is a time to part ways when therapy isn't serving the client or when a client is rejecting help from the therapist to everyone's detriment. Therapists have just as much of a right to end the relationship as clients do. The reason I'm writing this has nothing to do with the farewell and everything to do with how it was handled.

I have an eating disorder. I made it clear from the start that I didn't care that she didn't specialize in them. I'd had enough therapy around eating disorders and wanted to take a new approach. I also told her in our first session that if she thought it wasn't a fit to have open communication because I would be doing so. I've played the "suffer through a relationship that isn't working" game too much at this point in therapy. We had weekly sessions for months. I thought many of them were helping. But then I told her how many calories I consumed during the week. That was undeniably the point where she flipped.

We talked for a month or so more. She started talking to my dietician more. That seemed logical to me. And then she started telling my therapist I needed to go to treatment. Asking her why she hadn't suggested it or wasn't pushing it on me. (She has.) I am in no way a high risk anorexic. Perhaps treatment wouldn't hurt but my life right now prioritizes above something that isn't necessary. She pressured me and I said no, several times.

And then the day came where she let me tell her about my life before interrupting and starting the conversation of removal of services provided. Like I mentioned, that alone wasn't the issue. What WAS the issue was that she had also called my dietician and tried to pressure her into leaving me. To the point of my dietician's discomfort and recognition that abandonment on that level would be detrimental and more harmful that good. (How Diana didn't see that, I don't know.) She gave me an ULTIMATUM of treatment or no therapy. She told me I COULD NOT go to therapy ANYWHERE until I dealt with my eating disorder. (And no, this wasn't just in reference to being cognitively unable to proceed with EMDR.) She wouldn't give me referrals. She made fun of the shirt I was wearing that day that said, "Mental health is health," because I wouldn't go to treatment. I was in utter shock during that last session so I didn't really have responses beyond saying no to treatment and that I understood where she was coming from. But none of those things are okay and I should have said that to her then. I regret that. Fuck that. I deserve therapy. Everyone does.

She clearly spooked when eating disorder stuff came up, was not educated on it, and chose to bully and threaten me instead of just saying, "I'm not qualified in this topic and don't feel comfortable proceeding." Period. Period. Period.

If you don't fit in her little box of qualifications, stay away. And if you pick up any of her own anxieties, leave. It's not worth wasting your time.

I've seen Charity for several months and would highly recommend her. Just Mind has great service and got back to me very quickly when I filled out their interest form. I'm sad that they're no longer taking new BCBS patients- I haven't been able to refer some friends for this reason. Though, if you can afford it, Just Mind is a great option.

Excellent collection of mental health professionals. Depression, social anxiety, spousal abuse, obsessive procrastination, anorexia, grief, et al. They provide tools to help clients grapple with all of these issues. If I could offer more than five stars, I would attach as many as possible to this review.

Outside of their counseling expertise, they have great administrative staff. Many payment options available. I needed receipts to submit last minute before my FSA money was deleted. They mailed them the day I called and I got them the very next day!!! No charge to me for the postage, which was greatly appreciated. Seriously. A lot of other offices would have been like, "You can drive over and pick them up at our front desk."

Loren taught me extremely valuable information about my son's ADHD! She shared several tactics to help him understand his own impulsivity and how to calm down. She also summarized information to share with my son's teacher. All of this has helped him greatly, and we're so fortunate for our experience!

Billy is a rare bird: he has both deep insight and strong compassion to help people with their struggles. My dad was a psychoanalyst and I grew up around people in the therapy field, so I have met many people who do what Billy does.

Unfortunately, not all of them are great at helping others. Like I said, having compassion is only part of the equation. You also have to be insightful and well balanced in your own life.

I guess some folks call him William. I know him as Billy, but the name isn't what matters. It's how he approaches things, and what he can do to help. Trust me, Billy can help. He's a kind, decent, caring person who has the right skills.

And if he's not the right person to help you, you can be sure he'll be honest and say that himself. I give Billy my highest recommendation, without any reservation and with total enthusiasm.

Loren was amazing. She works with preschoolers and young children and we are so glad we found her. Everything she said was research-based and it was obvious she was updated on the literature and concerned with providing the best service possible. She provided so many strategies for us to deal with our preschooler's behavior and it has made a distinct difference in our family life.

Excellent SE work in lovely, nurturing environment. I can't recommend Dr. Donde enough!

The folks at Just Mind are great therapists, however, they are not Life Coaches. I have worked with Teri for about 6 months and really enjoy the work we have done together. I completely recommend Just Mind for therapy.

Great place. They are flexible and try to work around your schedule. It's helped me and my family out a lot. Love you guys!

Billy is one of the most warm and compassionate people I've had the pleasure of meeting in my time in Austin, TX. He is professional and always makes you think about things from a different perspective that you wouldn't necessarily think of right away. I miss his life advice and always listening ear! Make a satellite office in NYC! ;) If you're looking for someone compassionate and caring without being mushy or touchy-feely, Billy is the guy for you. Proud to call him a friend.