Trauma Therapy in Austin and Online Across Texas

Heal your past, Reclaim your present, Build your future

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Healing Begins Here - Trauma Therapy in Austin, TX

Welcome to Neuro Nuance Therapy and EMDR. If you’ve been considering beginning therapy or looking for a trauma therapist in Austin, let me commend you on taking this first step toward reclaiming your life. Many people struggle to find lasting healing after surviving through past trauma and stress. It can leave you feeling like you’re stuck in quicksand. Trying to move on, reaching for the future, but the past keeps intruding and pulling you back.

Whether you're struggling with ongoing symptoms following a traumatic event or difficult time period in your life, as an experienced trauma specialist I'm here to support you in your healing process. I specialize in helping individuals heal from painful past experiences and reclaim their sense of safety and control. I strive to create a safe, supportive environment where you’re met with compassion, understanding, and evidence-based care.

Alex Penrod, MS, LPC, LCDC

Founder and Therapist

Welcome, allow me to introduce myself. I’m a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor (LCDC), and a person in long-term recovery with 10 years of experience working in the behavioral health treatment field.

As a trauma therapist in Austin, Texas, I'm trained in a range of therapeutic approaches to provide personalized, effective trauma treatment. I specialize in the following evidence-based treatments:

Using a collaborative and integrative approach, I can help you process trauma, regulate your nervous system, improve your self-esteem, and build coping mechanisms to enhance your quality of life.

I offer individual therapy with in-person options in Austin and virtual sessions available across Texas.

I welcome new clients from all walks of life with unique needs, including adults, young adults, and college students. I work closely with medical professionals and wellness centers to ensure you receive integrated, whole-person care.

To learn more about how I can help you find lasting healing, continue scrolling or schedule your free 15-minute consultation with me. I’d love to learn more about your goals and answer any questions you may have.

What is Trauma?

  • Trauma can be defined as an event, experience, or time period that causes severe stress exceeding a person's resources and ability to cope.

    After experiencing trauma, some people recover naturally while others develop more enduring persistent symptoms.

Traumatic Experiences Involve a Wide Range of Issues

Trauma can take many forms, I'm here to support you in healing from:

  • Single event trauma (e.g., surviving through a natural disaster, car accident, or severely distressing event)

  • Developmental trauma (e.g., childhood trauma and childhood abuse)

  • Complex trauma (e.g., prolonged or repeated periods of severe stress where escape was difficult or impossible)

  • Sexual abuse and sexual assault

  • Substance abuse and co-occurring mental health disorders

  • Panic attacks, social anxiety, anger management, low self-esteem, and self-worth

  • Dissociative disorders

  • Difficulties with life transitions, grief, and relationship issues

If you’re feeling overwhelmed by your emotional response to past traumas, struggling with physical health symptoms tied to stress, or coping with persistent trauma symptoms, as a trauma counselor I'm here to help. 

Living with the Impacts of Trauma Can be Debilitating

Common Signs of Persistent Trauma Symptoms

  • Emotional Aftereffects

    You may feel easily overwhelmed, reactive, or emotionally flooded during everyday situations. Some people notice difficulty calming down or an undercurrent of irritability or fear.

  • Avoidance Patterns

    It’s common to steer clear of reminders, situations, or conversations that bring up the emotional residue of what happened. This is a result of “overgeneralization,” where the brain and nervous system become avoidant of anything remotely resembling the original trauma.

  • Shifts in Mood, Beliefs, or Self-Perception

    Sometimes trauma leaves an emotional imprint that shapes how you see yourself, others, or the world. You might notice increased self-criticism, difficulty accessing positive emotions, or a sense of heaviness that’s hard to shake. Some people feel disconnected from the things they once enjoyed or find it harder to trust their own reactions and instincts.

  • Heightened Alertness or Tension

    Your body may stay on guard, scanning for cues of danger even when you’re not consciously thinking about the event. This can feel like restlessness, a racing mind, increased startle responses, or difficulty feeling settled.

  • Changes in Sleep or Concentration

    Your mind may feel busy, restless, or easily distracted. Sleep might feel light, interrupted, or harder than usual to settle into.

  • Disconnection or Numbing

    Some people notice a sense of emotional distance, difficulty feeling present, or a disconnection from themselves and their body. This can be your mind’s way of giving you space when things feel too intense.

There is Light at the End of the Tunnel

What is EMDR?

  • EMDR is an evidence-based psychotherapy for the treatment of PTSD. Originally developed by Dr. Francine Shapiro.

    EMDR is endorsed as a first line trauma therapy by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs/Department of Defense, the American Psychiatric Association, and the World Health Organization.

  • Unlike traditional talk therapy or cognitive behavioral therapy, EMDR uses bilateral stimulation such as eye movements, tapping, or tones, to aid in the reprocessing of traumatic memories.

    This process allows the brain to access and integrate sensory, emotional, cognitive, and somatic body sensations of trauma in a way that reduces the intensity and stores the disturbing memories in a more neutral state. Click to learn more about the neuroscience behind EMDR.

  • EMDR has been heavily researched with high success rates for single and multi-event trauma, and emerging evidence for complex trauma..

    Studies have shown between 84-90% of single event trauma survivors and 77% of multi-event trauma survivors no longer had symptoms at clinical levels after 3 - 6 sessions.

    For complex trauma, the process requires longer treatment. Studies show EMDR is still effective after around 12 sessions.

  • During an EMDR session, I work with you to identify specific traumatic memories or distressing experiences. As you notice these memories, I will guide you through bilateral stimulation exercises, helping your brain to reprocess the memory.

    Learn more about what to expect in an EMDR session.

Strategies and Goals for Healing

My first priority is to create a safe environment and work to build a trusting relationship with you. As this develops we’ll create a custom treatment plan based on your specific needs, strengths, and goals. No two healing journeys are the same and trauma recovery shouldn’t be a cookie cutter experience.

Whether you’re working toward personal growth, building self-esteem, or just trying to gain stability in daily life, I’ll meet you where you are and focus on what’s most important to you regarding your progress. By incorporating multiple treatment options, I can tailor therapy to your individual needs. In general, trauma-focused therapy aims to produce the following benefits:

Benefits of Trauma Therapy

  • Reduction of Trauma and Mental Health Symptoms

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    EMDR therapy has been shown to reduce PTSD, depression, and anxiety symptoms.

    A high percentage of individuals no longer meet criteria for a trauma or stressor related diagnosis after EMDR.

    One study from the National Institute of Mental Health found 8 sessions of EMDR was superior to fluoxetine (antidepressant) for depression.

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  • Healing Your Past

    By targeting and reprocessing key past experiences underlying current symptoms, energy and resources are freed up to move from surviving to thriving.

  • Reclaiming Your Present

    By coming to understand the effects of trauma on the brain and nervous system, learning coping skills, and targeting present triggers with EMDR, the present moment can shift from a place of fear and dread to the zone of creativity, motivation, and action toward your goals.

  • Building Your Future

    Post-traumatic growth goes beyond simply returning to the previous state before the trauma, it’s marked by shifts and transformations in mental, emotional, psychological, and spiritual growth, leading to a new quality of life.

    After healing the past, many people find they are able to reconnect with their passions, zero in on new directions in life, and build relationships that feel stable and rewarding.

    Empowering you to capture these positive changes and helping you reach your goals is one of my favorite parts of therapy.

Take the First Step Toward Healing

  • You don't have to face your trauma alone. As a trauma specialist I'd be honored to support you. I know how difficult it can be to reach out, but sometimes it's those difficult decisions that bring the most positive change to your life.

You Deserve Freedom

3 Step Plan

  • Man booking a consultation on laptop computer with a trauma therapist in Austin, TX

    Book Your Free 15-Minute Consultation

    Follow the link below to use my calendar and choose a time that’s right for you.

  • Woman waving to her laptop screen as she meets her therapist to discuss healing her past, reclaiming her present, and building her present

    Together we assess your needs and determine a plan of action

    A consultation allows you to explore if therapy with me is right for you with no commitment or obligation.

  • 4 friends embracing as the reflect on their journey of healing

    Begin healing your past, reclaiming your present, and building your future

    After consultation, beginning therapy is as easy as scheduling your first session.

Book Your Free 15-Minute Consultation

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Yes, Virtual EMDR sessions can be successfully conducted online through secure video. The process can be adapted for teletherapy, utilizing visual cues, auditory tones, or tapping for bilateral stimulation. This flexibility allows you to receive EMDR treatment from the comfort and safety of your home.

  • Yes, I have an office for in-person sessions in North Austin near Mopac and 183 and in Southwest Austin on Bee Caves Road if you prefer to meet face to face. My availability is more limited for this option though.

  • I have several ways you can use your insurance.

    I'm in network with Aetna and offer a convenient hassle free way to handle your claims through a company called Headway.

    For all other insurance carriers, if you've met your deductible for the year you could get automatic reimbursement and only pay for a portion of your sessions by using a company called Thrizer to process out of network claims. If you haven't met your deductible, we can submit superbills to Thrizer to apply toward meeting it.

    I can assist you with your options in a free 15-minute consultation or visit my services page for links to explore these options for yourself.

  • I charge $150 for 60-minute sessions and $225 for 90-minutes sessions.

  • See my frequently asked questions page for more questions and answers, my page on the cost of EMDR, or schedule a free 15-minute consultation with me. I'd be happy to help!

Book Your Free 15-Minute Consultation