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 | [email protected]

Request Counseling Services Here

ACTIVE SUPPORT & DISCUSSION GROUPS

JFS Grief Circle

with Maura Kinney, LCSW

Grief is a natural part of life, and you don’t have to navigate it alone. Join JFS clinicians for a Grief Circle, a supportive space to connect, share, and learn tools for coping with life’s many forms of loss.

Thursday, April 3 – 6:00 – 7:15 PM

Register here.

Professional woman meditating at her work desk

Jewish Meditation

with Rabbi Cohen

Join Rabbi Amy Cohen for a weekly Jewish meditation session.

Together we will slow down and focus on our breath and we will sit in silence for half of our session. Each week we will connect with one another and find inspiration from Jewish wisdom for our shared practice.

Mondays 12-12:45PM

Register here.

Memory Loss Caregiver Circle

NAVIGATE this journey with others who understand

This group meets in-person every other Thursday from 12:30-2PM

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

Contact Liron for more information and to register:
(512) 735-8124 | [email protected]

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 | [email protected]

mindfulness mondays jewish family service online event coffee

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 what’s on your mind
– Meet others who get it
– Learn anxiety management

Bi-Weekly on Mondays 11:30 AM – 12:30 PM | Dell JCC

Contact Matt for information and to register:
(512) 735-8020 | [email protected]

Family Caregiver Empowerment Circle

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 biweekly on Tuesdays from 12:30 – 2PM | Free

Contact Christina for more information and to register:
(512) 735-8125 | [email protected]

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.

Bi-Weekly on Friday | 2:00PM – 3:30PM | Ongoing | Free of Charge | Online

Contact Amanda Mills for more information and to register:
512-735-8127 | [email protected]

I am able:
Empowerment Group

This group builds a community to remove the stigma and misconceptions about autism, ADHD, dyslexia, and other invisible learning disabilities. This hangout and discussion group offers a chance to check in and socialize with like-minded friends. Discussion topics may include stigma or challenges in the workplace, building confidence, increasing personal accountability, and celebrating invisible differences.

The fourth Thursday of each month | 5:30 PM – 7 PM | Ongoing |
Free of Charge | In-Person at Dell JCC Campus

Register here, and contact Whitney Emmons for more information:
(512) 735-8081 or [email protected].

Mussar

with Rabbi Amy B. Cohen

Join Rabbi Amy B. Cohen to learn about how studying and practicing Mussar can change your life and relationships.

Mussar might best be described as Jewish spiritual ethics, which have been practiced for centuries by people who sought to cultivate and strengthen the qualities of the inner mensch. Mussar has been undergoing a revival in the Jewish world, and we are fortunate to be able to offer this curriculum created by The Mussar Institute, the leaders in the field. This program is suitable for all, regardless of level of Jewish knowledge. There are no course prerequisites and knowledge of Hebrew is not required.

Rabbi Amy B. Cohen has completed the Manchim level certification, the most advanced certification for Mussar facilitators.

Register here. – UPDATE – Registration is now closed.

Hot, Messy, Meaningful Parenting

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
(512) 735-8128 | [email protected]

Register here. UPDATE – Registration is now closed.

Life After Divorce

Divorce Support Group

You asked, we listened. We want to meet you where you are and provide you with the support that you need as you go through this life transition.

This group will be co-led by Debbie Hart, LPC-S and Matt Smith, LCSW.

Biweekly Wednesdays | 8 Sessions

Register here, and contact Matt for further information:
(512) 735-8020 | [email protected]

UPDATE – Registration is now closed.

COMING SOON

We Want to Hear From You

Request to Open Inactive Group

Request to Start New Group

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 PORTAL

Click here to read terms of use

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

Request Services Here