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Comprehensive, evidenced-based mental health therapy services for the whole family.

​HeadFirst Counseling is a private counseling center offering therapy services for children, adolescents, teens, young adults, and parents in Dallas, TX. HeadFirst Counseling was founded as an alternative to stuffy, formal therapy offices where the focus is placed on the problem. At HeadFirst, the focus is on each client's strengths and innate abilities to find creative solutions to his or her current concerns. We provide a holistic approach to therapy looking at the whole person to enable children, teens, adults, and families to develop insight, empathy, and problem solving skills. We use the latest brain-based techniques and interventions rooted in helping our clients form secure attachments and increase brain integration for optimal functioning. Our main goal is to provide quality, evidenced-based therapeutic interventions to tackle current problems and help clients reach their full potential.

WHO WE ARE

​​Welcome to HeadFirst Counseling in Dallas! HeadFirst Counseling is focused on changing the way people talk and think about mental health counseling. We focus on solutions, not labels. We integrate a personalized blend of cognitive behavioral therapy, attachment-based therapies, and techniques based in neurodevelopment and lifespan development to connect with each client on their level to help them develop insight and coping skills. Once they are able to regulate their emotions and impulses, the inappropriate behavior or symptoms seem to go away (and a lifetime diagnosis is not needed).

 

We steer clear from a one-size-fits-all approach to counseling and engage in a more authentic, personalized way of being with clients. Our goal is to remove the stigma associated with mental health in order to empower people to seek the help they need. As we work together to remove the shame and secrecy that is attached to going to therapy, together we can help change the attitude about seeking help from one of helplessness and weakness to one of empowerment.

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Many of our clients walk through the door with a wide range of concerns or reasons for coming to therapy. What we have found is that many of these concerns boil down common themes- Who am I? What is my role in this world? What do I want for myself? Where do I belong? Many people are on a quest to find themselves and to discover their purpose in life.

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At HeadFirst Counseling, we believe that as people become more connected to who they truly are, the need to put on masks or take on different roles to please others goes away. You become more of you, and less of what others want you to be. This is done first in the safety of the therapeutic relationship by learning to experience your feelings and recognize your own thoughts as they pop in your head. Your life becomes more in the moment rather than based on the past. You become a dynamic being able to evaluate different situations based on the facts and feelings at hand, not rigid beliefs from the past. You begin to view yourself and situations in a new light and behavior modification follows as needed.

 

We value uniqueness, originality, and creativity at HeadFirst Counseling, and believe that differences should be celebrated. Our work together will encourage you to find your true self and tap in to your unique potential. Our approach uses a combination of clinical interviews and observations, behavioral assessments, and standardized assessments to fully understand each client and assess their current needs and goals. We strongly believe all people are greater than their current symptoms, and we shy away from labeling or overgeneralizing. We look at people in an individual and holistic way to help each client increase self-worth and independence.

 

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Let's dive in, headfirst.

About
WHO WE CAN HELP

We provide play therapy and children's counseling services to address:

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  • ADHD

  • Anger and aggression

  • Anxiety

  • Attachment issues

  • Autism Spectrum Disorders

  • Behavioral concerns

  • Bullying

  • Depressive symptoms

  • Destructive behaviors

  • Development concerns

  • Divorce

  • Emotional concerns

  • Family changes or transitions

  • Mood concerns

  • Obsessive compulsive thoughts

  • Oppositional or defiant behaviors

  • Parenting issues

  • Selective mutism

  • Self harm

  • Sensory concerns

  • Separation anxiety

  • Social or relational concerns

  • Trauma

We provide expressive art therapy and traditional talk therapy in work with pre-teens, teens, and adults to address:

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  • Anxiety

  • Behavioral concerns

  • Bipolar Disorder

  • Bullying

  • Defiant behaviors

  • Depressive symptoms

  • Destructive or high risk behaviors

  • Eating concerns

  • Emotional concerns

  • Family changes or conflict

  • Gender Identity Development

  • Impulsive behaviors

  • Isolation

  • Lack of motivation

  • Low self-worth or self-confidence

  • Mood disturbances

  • Perfectionism

  • Relationship issues

  • Self harm- cutting, burning, etc.

  • Sexually acting out or promiscuity

  • Stress management

  • Trauma

Parenting consultations and support services to help parents dealing with:

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  • Adoption

  • Attachment concerns

  • Bedtime routines

  • Behavioral concerns

  • Child development

  • Disruptions in the parent-child relationship

  • Divorce or separation

  • Family conflict

  • Family transitions or birth of a  younger sibling

  • Morning routines

  • Nurturing concerns

  • Oppositional or defiant behaviors

  • Parental alienation

  • Parent stress management

  • Potty training

  • School or academic concerns

  • Sibling Conflict

  • Sleep Concerns

  • Tantrums and meltdowns

  • Therapeutic discipline and limit setting

  • Trauma

CONTACT US

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3500 Oak Lawn Ave, Suite 350

Dallas, TX 75219

info@headfirstdallas.com

(469) 571-3470

Mon-Fri 9am-7pm

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Press and Publications

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Part of DBest Top Psychology Groups in Dallas

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Proudly mom-approved since 2017 and counting!

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Read about our founder, Laura McLaughlin, in the 2023 People Newspapers 20 Under 40 list!

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