Behavioral Health

The Behavioral Health section of the Wellness Center is focused on promoting and preserving mental and emotional well-being. We have a range of no-cost services available to you and your family, including mental health counseling, Peer Support, & Chaplaincy. This Behavioral Health section of the website will provide you with information and resources to help you maintain optimal mental, emotional, and spiritual health.

We Are Here To Help

Staff Psychologists

Marc Kruse

E-mail: marc.kruse@austintexas.gov Phone: (512) 974-0225

Celesta Harris

E-mail: celesta.harris@austintexas.gov Phone: (512) 974-5482

Officed at 517 S. Pleasant Valley, Austin, Texas 78741

Peer Support Team

Firefighters helping firefighters.

This program consists of peers who are trained to identify various symptoms and challenges, and to aid their fellow brothers and sisters by providing emotional support in their time of need.

To reach a Peer Support Memeber, Please dial 1-888-423-3435 (1-888-4-AFD-HELP) and they will return your call.

Chaplain Team

Chaplains serve the spiritual and emotional needs of others through the work of pastoral care. They perform wedding or funeral ceremonies, administer communion, deliver spiritual messages, offer prayer at public meetings, and provide regular counseling. Chaplains also meet the needs of the moment, usually through listening and prayer.

In the event of tragedy, personal crisis, or a season of change, chaplains provide the pastoral care needed to help and support individuals. Consequently, chaplains work in a number of environments where pastoral care is needed.

To reach their hotline, please dial 1-888-367-1119 and a Chaplain will return your call.

FAQs

Will my supervisor know that I came to see you?

No. We do not disclose any information about your appointments or sessions with your BC or anyone else, unless we have your written, “Authorization to Obtain/Release Information” to do so. Under certain circumstances, there are limits to when we might ethically and legally have to report information reported in session, i.e. if you report that you are a danger to yourself or others, if a child (under 18), dependent adult (18-64 who has mental or physical limitations that restrict his/her ability to carry out normal activities), or the elderly (over age 65) is being physically abused, sexually abused, neglected and/or exploited, if you are in need of emergency medical/psychiatric services, and if your medical records, including mental health records, are subject to subpoena by a court of law for either criminal or civil proceedings.

Might I be pulled from duty if I come to see you?

No, not necessarily. Our mission is to help you do your job as best as you can. We are not looking to pull you from your job just because you have some emotional or mental health issues you are working through. However, depending on the severity of some issues, we might need to talk about the best course of action for you. Overall, we want you healthy and safe. Additionally, we also want the people in the community you serve to be safe. So, should an issue arise that might compromise either of those. We will discuss those in session and collaborate on the best course of action for you.

Can my partner come see you?

Yes. As a City of Austin public safety employee, you and your family (spouses, romantic partners, and children; also covers biological, adopted, and step-children) are eligible to receive services at no cost. You do not have to be present for your family members to receive services.

Can my family members come see you?

Yes. As a City of Austin public safety employee, you and your family (spouses, romantic partners, and children – biological, adopted, and step-children) are eligible to receive services at no-cost. You do not have to be present for your family members to receive services.

Do I have to pay?

No. As a City of Austin public safety employee, you and your family (not limited to spouses, romantic partners, and children – biological, adopted, and step-children) are eligible to receive services at no-cost.

Is my therapy session going to be like my pre-hire psychological interviews?

No. Therapy sessions and pre-hire psychological interviews are completely different processes and serve different purposes. The pre-hire psychological interviews are a part of the hiring process and are designed to assess the fit of the applicant with the job. Therapy sessions are to help individuals who have been hired (and are already in their positions) be as successful as they can while doing their job. Therapy can be an ongoing process, whereas pre-hire psychological interviews are a one-time step in the hiring process.

Do I have to see you or can I see my own provider?

No. It is not a requirement that you see anyone at the Wellness Center. You are free to choose your own provider in the community if that works for you. Please visit myuhc.com to get a list of providers in your area who might accept your insurance.

If I want to change providers, can I?

Therapy is completely voluntary. If at any time you feel that therapy is not working for you or that you are not getting what you need from a particular individual, you are completely free to choose to work with someone else either within Wellness or the community.

How many sessions can I have with you?

There is no general session limit. The number of sessions you attend will be based on the goals that you will be working on together with your therapist.

How do I get in contact with someone?

Marc Kruse

E-mail: marc.kruse@austintexas.gov Phone: (512) 974-0225

Celesta Harris

E-mail: celesta.harris@austintexas.gov Phone: (512) 974-5482