Melanie Mahanger, MA, LPC
Licensed Professional Counselor
Online Therapy
In-Person Therapy in Lockhart
Insurance through Headway
ADHD
Anxiety
Loneliness
Depression
Relationships
Identity
Coping Skills
Therapeutic Focus
Anxiety
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If you have anxiety you understand that it can bring your day to a standstill. The feeling is physical as well as emotional leading to restricted breathing, only being able to focus on one thing, feelings of fear and isolation. Anxiety can cause you to make fear-based decisions in an attempt to feel better as soon as possible.
Maybe you are a person who takes care of everyone’s emotional well-being. It could be tied to an anxious need to avoid negative actions or feelings from others that make you feel unsafe, unseen or unhappy.
​Some people feel muscle tension, fast heartbeat or dread-filled thoughts affect their body and mind in social situations. These feelings can make someone feel isolated, unloved or unsafe.
​ Anxiety is a message. It can be excited anticipation or a sign that you need to stop and take care of yourself. I can help you understand what triggers your anxiety and how to approach it with curiosity and self compassion to help you feel better. Let me know what you would like help with by sending me a message below in the contact section.
Life Transitions and Adjustment Disorder
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Change is hard. Almost every human on the planet experienced this in a significant way due to Covid-19. Every time you have a life change, try something new or face an unexpected difficulty adjusting, your emotions, mindset and your reactions to that challenge can cause distress.
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Maybe you just lost/started a job, are struggling with the challenges of college, lost a loved one or became a new parent. You might feel anxious, depressed, irritated or a loss of control. Adjustment disorders are caused by stressors and affect how you think and feel about yourself and the world.
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These symptoms arise from positive and negative stressful life transitions. They regularly interfere with your eating, sleep, relationships and feelings about yourself. Life is constantly changing and it’s hard to keep up. We can figure out together what exactly you are struggling with and find some calm in the storm.
Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)/Neurodivergence
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ADHD symptoms include: ​
Impulsiveness
Disorganization and problems prioritizing
Poor time management skills
Problems focusing on a task
Trouble multitasking
Excessive activity or restlessness
Poor planning
Low frustration tolerance
Frequent mood swings
Problems following through and completing tasks
Hot temper
Trouble coping with stress
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There are many ways to address the symptoms of ADHD. I don't diagnose or prescribe medication for ADHD, but I help people explore and understand how it personally affects their mood, feelings of self worth, work, school, relationships, and life goals. I use Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) to build skills around coping with symptoms and how to get unstuck from thoughts and emotions that are unworkable in meeting your goals and living according to your values.
Depression
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Depression is often referred to as a sibling to anxiety. One can lead to the other or occur together. Maybe you feel tired, overwhelmed, sad or lack of interest in the things you once found exciting.
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Depression can sometimes be an overpowering, all consuming feeling or a low key feeling of disinterest, worry, irritability, that seems to drag on throughout days, months or years. It can affect your eating, sleeping and how you show up in relationships.
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Do you cry more easily or more than usual? Does there feel like there is a wall between you and other people that mutes the color and enjoyment of life? Are you carrying around the emotional hurt of a past event or relationship?
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Depression is complex and can arise from many various sources - it looks different in everyone. I am here to help you figure out why you feel this way and create a plan for a path to relief so you can feel happy.
The Work We Can Do
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Psychological Disorders
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Life Transitions
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Trauma informed, Not Specialized
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Therapeutic Tools and Techniques
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Communication skills and Boundary setting
Trauma Informed, not specialized
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PTSD
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sympathetic/ parasympathetic systems
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Emotional effects of Narcissistic relationships
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Clients have seen a therapist for their trauma, and are ready to integrate their understanding of the trauma into their daily relational experience
Psychological
Disorders
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Anxiety Disorders
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Depressive Disorder
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Adjustment Disorders
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ADHD
Therapeutic Tools and Techniques
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Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
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Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
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Insight-oriented
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Strength Based
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Mindful Self-Compassion (MSC)
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Self Care
Life Transitions
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Clients 18 to 70 years old
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Work/Life/Family balance
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Relationship challenges
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Career changes
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Parenting struggles
Concerns often processed
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ADHD and Neurodivergence
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Social Anxiety
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LGBTQIA+ issues
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Generational challenges
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Building strong relational bonds
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Coping skills
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Melanie Mahanger, MA, LPC
Psychotherapist
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B.S. in Psychology at Loyola University New Orleans. M.A. in Professional Counseling at Texas State University. Licensed as a LPC in Texas in 2018. Central Texas resident since 2006. Providing in-person therapy to adult individuals in the surrounding Lockhart area community and online therapy in Texas.
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I use my humor and kindness to create a calm and relaxed space. I encourage clients to simply tell their story and I listen with empathy and concern. I believe the therapeutic relationship plays the most important role in whether and how therapy works. I meet my clients where they are in life and set goals to track progress and reflect on the changes that result. My neurodivergent brain helps me support you mentally and emotionally in unique ways.
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There is no one size fits all method to my therapy. Every person I help adds something to my skill set. The backbone of my therapy is family systems theory because our experiences at home shaped how we act now. I use Compassion Focused Therapy (CFT) and Mindful Self-Compassion theory and find it important to teach clients about the mind body connection related tools to alleviate symptoms outside session. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) helps me teach client's how to get unstuck from unworkable thoughts and emotions by identifying strengths and values. I use strength based, person-centered techniques and mindfulness to work with people in life transitions, people with relationship issues, anxiety, depression, ADHD and LGBTQIA+ individuals.
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My hourly fee is $130. I have a sliding scale available for private pay clients if you can't afford the full fee. I take Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas, Aetna, Oscar Health, United Healthcare, Oxford and Cigna.
Contact Me
​NOTICE:​
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