Travis County Counseling Center

The Travis County Health and Human Services (HHS) Counseling Center offers free, short-term individual counseling to current or former HHS clients and their family members ages 13 and older. The Counseling Center was created to make mental health services and support more accessible for individuals and families in need within the Travis County community.  The program is designed to support individuals experiencing stress, life transitions, emotional and behavioral challenges, or other concerns that impact daily functioning and well-being. 

Counseling services are provided by master's-level advanced clinical social work interns who are closely supervised by a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), ensuring quality, ethical, and developmentally appropriate care.  Sessions focus on building coping skills, increasing self-awareness, and supporting clients in working toward their personal goals in a safe, respectful, and non-judgmental environment.  

Services are accessed through referrals by HHS staff.  Once referred, individuals are contacted to complete an intake process and determine appropriateness for short-term counseling services. The program typically offers a limited number of sessions aligned with a brief, goal-oriented model of care. 

At a Glance 

About the Counseling Center  

The Travis County Counseling Center was created to expand access to mental health support for Travis County residents connected to Travis County Health and Human Services, including those currently receiving or who have previously received services.  The program also serves as a Practicum Education site for advanced clinical social work graduate students, allowing students to gain supervised experience while providing services to the community. 

Eligibility and Referrals 

Counseling Services are available to individuals ages 13 and older who are currently receiving or have previously received services through a Travis County HHS program, along with members of their households.  The Counseling Center does not provide appointments to the general public at this time.  

Clients are typically referred by HHS staff based on identified needs. If you are currently working with an HHS program, your caseworker may refer you directly or guide you through the next steps. 

If you believe you may be eligible, you can submit a Client Interest Form for follow-up.

Submit a Client Interest Form 

This form is intended for individuals connected to Travis County HHS programs. Submitting the form does not guarantee services. A referral and intake process are required to determine eligibility and appropriateness for short-term counseling.

Practicum Education 

The Counseling Center is part of Travis County’s Practicum Education initiative, which provides supervised training opportunities for graduate students in mental health and related fields. Under the guidance of licensed professionals, students gain real-world experience while serving the community.

The Office of Children’s Services (OCS) Practicum Education Unit includes both the Counseling Center and the broader practicum program for graduate students. Since 2013, OCS has offered highly regarded practicum and internship placements and is a sought-after training site among local universities. OCS has the capacity to host 10 or more interns annually across programs, including the Counseling Center, Healthy Families, Parenting in Recovery, Family First, The Children’s Partnership and System of Care, and the Travis County Child Welfare Board. 

OCS partners with local universities, including the University of Texas Steve Hicks School of Social Work and the Texas State University School of Social Work, and is open to developing partnerships with additional accredited programs. These partnerships support graduate students in completing their master’s degrees while gaining meaningful, hands-on experience.

Through practicum education, interns apply classroom knowledge in real-world settings while developing skills in client engagement, assessment, intervention, and evaluation. Interns contribute to a range of services, including short-term counseling, crisis intervention, case management, care coordination, advocacy, and community collaboration. They also support administrative and programmatic efforts such as research, evaluation, and planning, while gaining experience working with partners such as Child Protective Services, the courts, and nonprofit organizations. 

These internships are designed to strengthen students’ readiness for the workforce while expanding the capacity and effectiveness of OCS programs. Interns help increase the number of clients served and support caseload management, while staff gain valuable experience in supervision and leadership development. This model supports internal career advancement and enhances overall service delivery. 

To maintain a high-quality practicum site, OCS provides a structured and supportive learning environment that includes weekly clinical supervision, ongoing mentorship, and access to the tools, training, and resources necessary for effective practice. Staff are committed to ensuring a positive and meaningful experience for both interns and clients.

The Practicum Education Unit, which includes the Counseling Center, provides significant benefits to Travis County by expanding mental health services, strengthening workforce development, and fostering long-term community impact. The program’s impact includes three key areas: 

• Enhancing Client Support – Expanding access to services, providing innovative care, and improving client outcomes. 
• Strengthening Travis County Staff & Systems – Developing a pipeline of skilled professionals, improving program efficiency, and supporting workforce growth. 
• Building a Stronger Community – Increasing advocacy, engagement, and long-term social stability.