Your Privacy Matters

Your privacy is our utmost priority. From the moment you reach out—whether by call, text, or email—your identity remains strictly confidential. We will never share any information without your written consent.

There are only three exceptions to confidentiality:
• If you are at risk of harming yourself or others
• If there is disclosure of child or elder abuse
• If records are subpoenaed by a court of law

The building is used for various classes and services, so most visitors won’t be aware of the reason for your presence. All staff understand the sensitive nature of counseling and are committed to respecting your privacy.

We do not speak to family members or friends about clients. If we happen to see you in public, we will not approach or acknowledge you unless you choose to do so. While counseling is now more openly accepted, we respect each client’s preferences and allow them to navigate public interactions in a way that feels right for them.

• Session Length & Fees

  • Standard sessions (45–50 minutes) are recommended for adults, adolescents, and children aged 10 and older.

  • First-time marital counseling sessions are typically 90 minutes.

  Session Rates:
  • 30 minutes – $40 - $50  (clients under 10 years old)
  • 45 – 50 minutes – $80 – $90 (Counseling Hour)
  • 60 minutes – $90 – $110 (Marital)
  • 75 minutes – $100 – $130
  • 90 minutes – $110 – $150

  Payment Options:
  Cash, check, and credit cards are accepted. Insurance is not accepted at this time.

  To help make counseling more accessible, we offer a sliding scale for those with a total household income under $70,000/year. Reduced rates range from $30 to $80 per standard session, depending on your income bracket.

A Personalized Approach to Counseling

Every client’s journey is unique, and we strive to tailor each session to meet your individual needs. Together, we will identify your therapeutic goals and explore tools, exercises, and worksheets to support your progress—always leaving room for you to decide what resonates most.

Consider the following:

• Are you seeking coping strategies for anxiety, depression, behavioral issues, or other mental health concerns?
• Would you benefit from conflict resolution or communication skills to strengthen relationships?
• Could parenting support help you better connect with your child?
• Do you need help processing trauma or navigating intense emotions?

The possibilities are endless. Our role is to be a supportive presence in your life—to coach, guide, and cheer you on.

We take a holistic approach to counseling, recognizing that the mind, body, and spirit are deeply connected. As Christians, we also offer faith-based counseling for clients who wish to incorporate their spirituality into the therapeutic process.

What to Expect in the First Session

During the first session, we will review your completed intake paperwork and take time to get to know each other. Our goal is to help you feel comfortable in the office, gain a better understanding of the counseling process, and leave feeling better than when you arrived.

We aim to understand how we can best support you and will begin setting therapeutic goals together. It’s completely normal to feel a little nervous during your first session! We strive to create a calming, welcoming environment and want your counseling experience to be a positive one.

How Often Should You Come to Counseling?

Ultimately, that’s up to you! Time and budget are realistic considerations. We offer session lengths and fees as follows:

• 30 minutes – $40–$50 (typically for children under 10)

• 45–50 minutes – $80–$90 (standard counseling hour)

• 60 minutes – $90–$110 (commonly used for marital counseling)

• 75 minutes – $100–$130

• 90 minutes – $110–$150

The first session is typically 60 minutes. Subsequent sessions are usually 45–50 minutes, though we’ll work together to determine what length fits your needs best.

We suggest clients return within two weeks of their first session to get the ball rolling. After that, most schedule weekly or biweekly sessions. If you're not in crisis, one session every 3–4 weeks may be enough. Some clients need just 2–3 sessions to work through a short-term issue, while most concerns are often addressed in 6–8 sessions. Many also find value in long-term counseling and choose to continue beyond that point.

If you're unable to return right away, that’s completely okay. There’s no shame in coming back after several months or even years. Sometimes the timing isn’t right—or you may discover you're not quite ready to address certain matters just yet.

Who We Serve

We provide counseling for children ages 5 and up, adolescents, adults, engaged and married couples, and families. Heather specializes in marriage and family therapy and loves working with clients from all walks of life.

Our experience covers a wide range of concerns, including but not limited to:
• Depression and other mood disorders
• Anxiety disorders
• Abuse and trauma
• ADHD and behavioral challenges
• Divorce and family conflict
• Grief and life transitions
• Eating disorders
• Relationship and self-worth issues
• Women’s issues, including pregnancy and postpartum
• Stress and spirituality

We’re here to support you through whatever you're facing with care and compassion.

You're Always Welcome Here

You and your feelings are welcome in our office—no matter how you're feeling, just come as you are. Any resistant thoughts or preconceived notions about therapy often shift after the first few sessions. Progress can move more quickly when someone is open, willing, and committed to the process. However, even those who find it hard to communicate still benefit from showing up. We believe there's something to gain for everyone.

When it comes to children, their age and the seriousness of the issue will help determine how we approach things. As parents, you can encourage your child by asking for their best effort and offering an agreement like, “Try it for three sessions, and if you don’t want to continue, we’ll reconsider.” Talking to someone who has experienced counseling can also be encouraging. Please let your child or teen know that we incorporate fun games and activities in our sessions!

In marital therapy, it’s ideal when both partners are willing to attend. If one person struggles to express themselves, the other can help by being a voice for the relationship. While ultimatums or using counseling as a last resort are not typically effective, there is still hope. One partner actively working on the marriage represents 50% of the relationship—and one person can truly make a meaningful impact.

Our Approach to Couples Counseling

We meet with couples in joint sessions to establish goals and identify key areas of concern within the relationship. To keep sessions balanced, we incorporate games and exercises—so it’s not all about the problems. We work on communication, active listening, and conflict resolution techniques to build stronger connection and understanding.

At times, we may recommend meeting with each partner individually, if both agree. When this occurs, we typically split a session in half to meet with each person separately. This is usually a one-time occurrence.

For marital and premarital counseling, we recommend using the SYMBIS (Saving Your Marriage Before It Starts) inventory. Heather is SYMBIS trained and uses this tool to help couples explore relationship dynamics and common areas of conflict such as communication styles, spending habits, and expectations.

We also offer assessments developed by Dr. John Gottman of the Gottman Institute, a leading expert in marital research. Some assessments are available at no additional cost, while others may include a small fee.

What Is a Counselor?

Short & sweet is best! You may take & pick from some of the following information.

• Counselors are people who help others. We ask questions, listen carefully, and help children understand and manage their emotions, thoughts, and behaviors.

• We provide a safe, judgment-free space where kids feel seen, heard, and supported. In our sessions, we might talk, play games, use toys, explore art, or even do something active—like tossing a football outside (with parental consent).

• We keep what you share private, unless someone is planning to hurt themselves, someone else, or if someone has hurt you.

• Coming to counseling doesn’t mean you’re in trouble. Counseling is for everyone! It helps people grow, learn new skills, and feel better—even if they’re not facing big problems.

Please never tell a child they are coming to counseling because they are “bad” or “being bad.”

Faith Statement

As Christian counselors, we believe in Jesus Christ as the Son of God. We believe Jesus lived a perfect life and was sent by His Heavenly Father to die in our place, restoring our relationship with Him—broken by sin, which separates us from His holy presence. We are saved by grace alone, through faith alone in Jesus Christ.

We believe the Holy Spirit dwells within us and that we will be with Him in heaven after this life. We affirm that the Bible is God’s inspired Word and use it as a foundation for truth, wisdom, and guidance. We spend time daily in prayer and Bible study and are actively involved in a local church.

Our core values and worldview are rooted in Scripture. We view God as the ultimate authority in our lives. That said, we deeply respect the beliefs of others and do not impose our faith. We have experience counseling clients from various spiritual backgrounds.

If it aligns with a client’s goals, we are honored to integrate a faith-based approach into the counseling process, including the use of Scripture and prayer.

Heather’s Story

Heather first felt called to the field of counseling back in junior high school. Friends often came to her for advice, and she naturally took on the role of mediator during conflicts. She found deep fulfillment in helping others and embraced the role of peacemaker. With an intuitive ability to see both sides of an issue, God nurtured that early desire in her heart.

By the time she graduated high school, Heather knew she wanted to pursue psychology with the dream of becoming a counselor one day. After earning her undergraduate degree in psychology, she went on to complete graduate studies in counseling psychology.

In 2009, Heather began working as a Licensed Professional Counselor Associate in two private practice settings. At one of these positions, she had the opportunity to serve as a contract counselor for the Children’s Advocacy Center, where she supported victims of abuse.

After spending several years at home full-time to raise her three children, Heather returned to the work she feels called to—walking alongside others on their healing journey.

Meet Angela

“Big feelings deserve safe spaces—and someone who truly listens.”
Angela believes therapy can be a place to exhale—whether you're a parent supporting an overwhelmed child, an adult healing from childhood wounds, or simply someone seeking peace in the chaos. As a former school counselor and now an LPC-Associate (supervised by Mark Cagle, LPC-S), Angela supports clients of all ages through challenges both big and quiet.

Angela brings extensive experience working with children and teens (ages 4–18) navigating anxiety, crisis recovery, school stress, and emotional regulation. She understands how overwhelming parenting can be when a child is hurting. That’s why she also supports parents with practical tools to strengthen connection, communication, and confidence. As a mother herself, Angela brings both professional insight and personal experience—including guiding her own son through cancer remission—with deep empathy and grounded perspective.

In addition to her work with youth and families, Angela supports adults facing anxiety, burnout, parenting stress, and the lingering impact of growing up with emotionally immature caregivers—a subject she has researched extensively and integrates into her clinical work. Her experience serving on her church’s benevolence committee also informs her compassionate approach with clients navigating grief and financial hardship.

Angela uses a human-centered, relational style informed by CBT, DBT, solution-focused therapy, and crisis-responsive care. She holds a Master’s in Educational Psychology from Texas A&M University and a Master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Angelo State University. She also shares her insights on parenting and emotional attunement in the Give n’ Grow podcast episode: “Big Feelings, Safe Spaces.”

Angela is a wife, a mom of two, and someone who deeply understands what it means to keep showing up, even when life feels heavy. Whether you're 5 or 105, she is passionate about creating a space where you feel safe, seen, and empowered.

Bright Hope Counseling was established by Heather Axtens in 2021. The name was inspired by Heather’s favorite hymn, Great is Thy Faithfulness, which includes the line: “Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow.” These words beautifully reflect the heart of what we offer—support for the present and hope for what’s ahead.

Our logo has a special story. It was unintentionally created by a client during an art therapy session. When asked to paint something that made her feel peaceful, she created a bold, bright, and unique sunset. That painting eventually became our logo. Each element in the design carries symbolic meaning and serves as a reminder of the healing and beauty that can come through creative expression.

We try to eliminate the likelihood of not being a good fit before you arrive for your first session. We offer a free 15-minute consultation to provide basic information, answer any questions you may have, and gather the details we need to ensure we can meet your needs.

Even with these proactive steps, it’s still possible that we may discover—within the first few sessions—that we’re not the best fit. In that rare case, we’ll gladly help you find another counselor. No hard feelings! Our goal is for you to receive the support you need and to have a positive counseling experience.

No, we do not accept insurance at this time. However, we can provide a superbill that lists session dates for possible reimbursement. Clients are responsible for checking with their insurance provider and handling all paperwork for reimbursement.

During the summer, as interest arises, we offer group counseling sessions for children, teens, parents, and adults. Topics are chosen based on community needs and interest levels.

Each group typically runs for 8 sessions and is offered at a discounted flat fee, making it more affordable than individual therapy. Group counseling also provides valuable peer support and helps normalize common experiences and emotions.

During the initial phone consultation, the parent or guardian will explain why they are seeking counseling for their child. In the first session, we speak with the parents or guardians privately for a few minutes to hear their concerns and desired outcomes for their child. Then, we meet together with the child and their parent(s)/guardian(s) to review confidentiality so everyone is on the same page about what is shared and what is not.

To provide a safe space for building trust and rapport, we do not share with parents or guardians the specific details of what their child says in session. However, we may offer general updates or inform parents/guardians of specific coping skills that were introduced. The child is free to share as much or as little as they like with their parents or guardians.

We welcome updates and input from parents or guardians via email, voicemail, or text. Additionally, we reserve the first 10–15 minutes of each session as optional time for parents or guardians to use if they wish. For the remainder of the session, parents/guardians may wait in the waiting room or choose to leave and return at the end of the session.

After the first session, it is not required for the parent or guardian to be the one bringing the child to appointments.

Outside of session time, we encourage communication through voicemail, email, or text. We genuinely appreciate updates from our clients and enjoy staying connected. We understand that, in special circumstances, additional support may be needed between sessions. That’s why we offer current clients up to 15 minutes of conversation at no charge. Whether it’s a quick pep talk or a listening ear, we’re happy to help when we can.

However, any communication that extends beyond that time will need to be addressed during a scheduled session. Please understand that we also have families and other obligations, so we may not always be available after hours or on demand.

If you are experiencing an emergency, please call 911, go to your nearest emergency room, or contact the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988.