Discover how starting video game addiction counseling can support your own journey toward a happier, more fulfilling life.
3 therapists available in Austin
I use a client-centered, strength-based approach and strive to create a therapeutic relationship where you are heard, respected, a...
About
I use a client-centered, strength-based approach and strive to create a therapeutic relationship where you are heard, respected, and encouraged.
Kathy Del La Paz is a Licensed Master Social Worker who is passionate about helping individuals and couples address the issues they are facing by creating a safe, positive therapeutic relationship that facilitates meeting their individual goals. Kathy specializes in anxiety, depression, grief, postpartum depression and anxiety, stress, career, and life transitions.
Kathy earned her Master of Social Work at the University of Texas at Austin. With experience, compassion, and empathy, she helps those wanting to make positive changes in their lives achieve their goals. Kathy uses multiple treatment approaches including mindfulness, cognitive behavioral therapy, motivational interviewing, and positive psychology.
Kathy creates a safe space, working side by side with you to help you gain new perspectives and techniques and reach your goals. She aims to provide counseling to empower clients through a collaborative relationship. Additionally, she provides you with insight and practical tools and discusses solutions to utilize in your daily life.
Education and training
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I listen without judgement, and as a Black woman who grew up in a rural community in East Texas, I know firsthand how powerful it ...
I listen without judgement, and as a Black woman who grew up in a rural community in East Texas, I know firsthand how powerful it is to be heard, understood, and appreciated.
Nikki Easter is a Licensed Professional Counselor with 12 years of experience. She began her career supporting individuals with substance use challenges, and later expanded her expertise to clients facing trauma, grief, anxiety, and identity-related concerns. Nikki has worked extensively with marginalized populations, including those experiencing chronic homelessness, domestic violence, and severe mental illness.
Nikki earned her Master’s in Community Counseling from Argosy University. She uses a trauma-informed, strength-based approach. She primarily uses CBT and integrates modalities like ACT, mindfulness, distress tolerance, and psychodynamic therapy to support healing and emotional growth in clients of all backgrounds.
Nikki believes healing isn’t linear. She creates a safe, judgment-free space for clients to work through fears, doubts, and emotional setbacks. Nikki’s compassionate approach helps you move forward with confidence and clarity when navigating trauma or life transitions.
As a mother of special needs children, I understand the reality of life and the need for an unbiased and nonjudgmental person to w...
As a mother of special needs children, I understand the reality of life and the need for an unbiased and nonjudgmental person to work through life's unique journey.
Jamie Powers is a Licensed Professional Counselor Associate being supervised by Chris Hansen, LPC-S. As a veteran and special needs mother, Jamie has spent years advocating for the educational rights and freedom of others. She is passionate about giving back to the community by promoting a healthy mindset and overall wellness. Jamie specializes in anxiety, depression, grief, trauma, transitional periods of life, special needs parenting, and couple/family/child relationships. She provides assistance to individuals ages 14-60. Jamie enjoys helping others navigate their journey by supporting, being empathetic, and providing an open space that is inviting to all.
Jamie has completed three degrees from Lamar University, including a Master of Education in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. Jamie uses a multimodal approach, primarily focusing on mindfulness, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), and solution-focused therapy. She also has expertise in cognitive processing therapy for clients with traumatic experiences.
Jamie is confident that she would be able to provide a warm and welcoming environment to support you on your journey to obtain a healthy mindset. She hopes to help you regain inner peace and address whatever areas of need you may face across your lifespan. If you are ready to actively engage and do the work, she has evening and weekend timeslots.
You deserve dedicated time with a mental health professional — it can be life-changing.
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Thriveworks video game addiction counseling in Austin, TX helps people who have an obsession with playing video games as well as with internet gaming disorder. People may have mild, moderate, or severe internet gaming disorder if they struggle to control how often or how long they game. The symptoms of internet gaming disorder may include deceiving loved ones about when and how often they play, thinking constantly about gaming, and using video games as a distraction from real-world problems.
Thriveworks video game addiction counseling in Austin helps those who suffer by assisting them in regaining control over video gaming. In addition, it can help them cope with the negative effects of video game addiction counseling from anxiety to depression, insomnia, and more.
Video game addiction counseling at Thriveworks is conducted both in person and through Online therapy. We encourage you to choose the option that works best for you.
The length of video game addiction counseling depends on the individual’s needs as well as the extent and severity of their problem and those that might stem from it. That said, people can make meaningful progress in the first weeks to months of therapy.
When Javen’s parents restricted his access to the computer, and thus his favorite online game, they were worried about him. He used to love soccer and school, but since he started playing, Counter-Strike, Javen has been obsessed. He does not want to do anything else except play. They even caught him playing by himself in the middle of the night. Once Javen’s parents implemented the restrictions, their concerns continued to grow. Javen became despondent without being able to play the game. Then, his parents found out he lied to them—playing at a friend’s house when he was supposed to be at soccer practice. Exasperated, Javen’s parents do not know what else to do, and they are nervous that he might have a video game addiction.
Research is still being conducted to determine if what people popularly call video game addiction fits the formal definition of addiction, but a few things are abundantly clear: a lot of people play video games compulsively and experience addiction-like symptoms that may be comparable to other behavior addictions such as gambling.
Another similarity exists between addictions and compulsive video game use: their treatment. Several 12-step programs have been developed to help gamers, and these programs are modeled after alcoholics anonymous. Many people are also looking to a mental health professional for help as they regain control over their video game habits.
The therapists at Thriveworks Austin have helped many people who struggle with compulsive video game play. Our professionals know what it takes to establish self-control again.
People commonly speak of video game addiction, and The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5) addresses this behavior as internet gaming disorder. Similar to other behavior addiction such as gambling, internet gaming disorder is an impulse control disorder: people have difficulty regulating their gaming.
DSM-5 outlines the criteria for internet gaming disorder, gives severity modifiers. The disorder is also classified within the section, “Conditions for Further Study.” DSM-5 calls for more research before it classifies internet gaming disorder as an official disorder.
According to DSM-5’s diagnostic criteria, people may have mild, moderate, or severe internet gaming disorder depending upon how many of the following symptoms they display:
Just as with other compulsive behaviors, internet gaming disorder can lead to devastating effects within a person’s life. Without appropriate interventions, compulsive gaming often causes physical, relational, and emotional difficulties:
Do you recognize any of the signs of video game addiction in your own life or in your child’s? If video games are in control, know that help and support are available. Gaming does not have to cause emotional, relational, and physical difficulties. Many people are seeking out interventions that help them regain control of their gaming habits.
The mental health professionals at Thriveworks Austin offer treatment for internet gaming disorder, and we have appointments available. We work with adolescents and adults.
If you are ready to meet with a therapist, know that most new clients at Thriveworks Austin have their first appointment within 24 hours of their first call. We offer weekend and evening sessions, and we work with most insurance companies.
If you want to take back control of your video game habits, we are ready to help. Call Thriveworks Austin to get started.
Includes individual, couples, child/ teen, & family therapy
Includes reducing symptoms with medication & management
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