Our Whole Child. Whole City. Initiative
all children deserve equal access to mental health resources.
Whether we’re seeing families in our playroom for sessions or we’re creating our next learning opportunity, this is our fundamental therapeutic belief and it’s what we base our decisions on. As we practice acceptance, foster inclusion, and honor diverse identities, the healing benefits ripple through the family system and the community at large. Healthy children grow up to be healthy adults. Healthy children and adults form healthy, whole communities.
TheWhole Child. Whole City. Mission.
We recognize that families on the margins of society often experience significant barriers to quality mental health.
In efforts to offer equal access to mental health to more children and families on the margins in Austin, we would like to invite you to support our Whole Child. Whole City. initiative.
All donations will enable us to offer free counseling sessions to families in Austin who otherwise would not have the financial resources to do so. These funds will also ensure that our experienced counselors maintain a sustainable income, thus preventing burnout and compensating them for their time and expertise.
And for context, it takes an average of 20 sessions for most children to complete their therapeutic goals.
Why East Austin?
Ensemble Therapy opened its doors in 2015 with the mission to bring high-quality therapeutic services to children, teens, and their families in Central Austin. We expanded our practice and opened our second office in East Austin in an effort to offer quality mental health services to the families neighboring our practice.
Despite its progressive reputation, Austin has historically been a very segregated city. On the east side of Austin, over 50% of families have a household income that is 200% below the federal poverty level. Over 50% of the families in East Austin also identify as families of color. We know from research that childhood trauma is highly correlated with low socioeconomic status. This trauma is amplified when low socioeconomic status intersects with systemic oppression experienced by families of color.
Although there are many challenges, there is also hope.
Therapy and family support can heal a child’s brain so they can live, learn, play and thrive.
Our clinicians provide opportunities for children to…
Build healthy, secure relationships with other children and adults
Develop a sense of connectedness
Learn healthy coping skills and self-reflection
Our clinicians help families…
Create safer and more stable environments
Connect and communicate in positive ways
Navigate school systems and programs so they can access learning and opportunities for growth
What exactly doES “high-quality therapeutic services” MEAN?
Locally we have a shortage of providers that specialize in developmentally appropriate treatment for children under the age of 10 years old, one of the many barriers that our community faces to access mental health support.
At Ensemble Therapy we prioritize clinicians who are Registered Play Therapists™ or in supervision to become a Registered Play Therapist™. In addition to being active members of our state play therapy chapter, many of our clinicians are also current or past board members of this important organization that seeks to advance the discipline of play therapy; conduct and foster programs of education in the field of play therapy; promote sound play therapy practices in the interest of society and the individual; advance high standards of professional conduct by conducting educational and professional meetings and conferences; inform and educate the general public and the mental health community about the play therapy profession; establish contacts with various organizations for support and educational pursuits; and advocate for the rights of children, their families, and significant others.
Our founder, Jaclyn Sepp, was awarded the Tom Hoeffner Award from the Hill Country Chapter of the Texas Association for Play Therapy in 2020 for outstanding education, training, and professional services to the community that significantly develop, promote, or advance the value of play therapy and credentialed play therapists.
In 2020 we held 3,608 appointments and supported 258 families
In 2021 we held 7,008 appointments and supported 497 families
In 2022, we held 12,228 appointments and supported 586 families
In 2023, we held 12,342 appointments and supported 665 families
In 2024, we held 13,133 appointments and supported 670 families
Our team has specialized training in the following evidence-based practices:
IPT-CST (Institute of Play Therapy Certified Sandtray Therapist)
RYT®200 (Registered Yoga Teacher), and Yoga & Mindfulness Based Practices including Hakomi Mindful Somatic Psychotherapy
Your direct support helps us immensely.
As part of our appreciation, you'll receive our free Park Adventure Challenge guide to explore nature and play with your family in Austin parks or wherever you live. Learn more here.