The SAFE Alliance is a merger of Austin Children's Shelter and SafePlace, both long-standing and respected human service agencies in Austin serving the survivors of child abuse, sexual assault and exploitation, and domestic violence.
Counseling - SAFE provides confidential counseling and therapeutic services for survivors during their healing process to help move beyond the violence and trauma. The Therapeutic and Counseling program is designed to meet survivors wherever they are in the process of healing, which could be immediately after an incident, months later, or years down the road. Through education on the dynamics of interpersonal violence and the development of goals, survivors are supported as they heal from trauma and reclaim their lives. We provide counseling services in multiple languages, including Spanish and American Sign Language.
We offer individual, group, and family counseling. Family counseling focuses on relationships and the health of the entire family. Counseling for adults and youth includes play therapy. We have a variety of counseling groups to fit all people and needs, including groups for drop-in clients, teens, Spanish-speaking clients, people with disabilities, women of color, men, and more. Counseling groups offer survivors the opportunity to join together to share experiences, connect, learn about the impact of trauma, develop coping strategies, and heal in a safe, supportive, and strength-based group setting. SAFE also provides phone counseling for survivors and families who have significant barriers to attending sessions in person.
Fees and Payment
SAFE provides free counseling.
This is a non profit agency.
Services Offered To: Adults Teens Children
Special Groups: Bilingual
Payment: Sliding Scale Pro-bono
Were You Able To Make an Appointment?
One quick last question. Who was seeking counseling today?
Do you know the reason they are not accepting clients?
A community counseling agency is a group therapy practice that offers affordable mental health services. Most are independent non-profit agencies, state agencies, or publicly-funded agencies. A few may restrict who is eligible for services, so it is a good idea to check when you call.
Community counseling agencies are generally more affordable than other therapy providers, but how much more affordable they are will depend on whether you qualify for a discount or sliding scale fee (or if they accept your insurance). Many, but not all, have a policy that they won't turn away anyone due to inability to pay. You should ask about their fees when you first call.
Expect to talk to kind people who want to help you find the care you need. Most community agencies strive to connect you with a live person within 24 hours, if not immediately. If you're asked to hold or leave a message, don't give up; just leave a message and wait. You should hear back pretty quickly.
Most agencies try to set up an initial assessment appointment within a week (some do within 24 hours), though the waitlist to start therapy is usually longer—about a few weeks on average. If you're not eligible or if the agency is not right for you, it's usually still worth it to call or drop in, because staff are knowledgeable about local options and can often refer you to one.
