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Don Johnson, Ph.D. - Austin Psychologist, Adolescents, GT
 Although I was born in Michigan, I was educated in Texas. After graduating from Richardson High School in 1967, I attended Austin College in Sherman. It was at AC that I decided to study Psychology while keeping a youthful exuberance for basketball, student government, and an active social life. This life experience, guided by my mentor and coach, Dr. Bob Mason, formed the foundation for my belief in striving to maintain "balance" in our lives.
Following completion of my Bachelors of Arts in 1971, I moved to San Antonio and began the Clinical Psychology program at Trinity University. While working on my master's degree, I worked for the Marbridge Foundation. I worked briefly in the psychology department at San Antonio State Hospital before joining the psychology staff at San Antonio Children's Center (SACC).
At SACC, a children's psychiatric hospital, I received wonderful training and supervision from numerous talented psychologists, psychiatrists, social workers, and educators. During my five years at SACC, I received guidance from my mentor, Wayne Ehrisman, Ph.D., and I worked in several different positions before being promoted to an area director of the inpatient services. Following the encouragement and advice from my colleagues and supervisors, I returned to graduate school in 1977 at the University of Texas in Austin, School of Education. I began the Doctoral Program in the Department of Counseling/Psychology but I completed my course work in the Department of Special Education, graduating in 1984.
While I was in the doctoral program, I worked at the UT Counseling Center's Crisis Hotline. I also worked for one year at the Settlement Home as Director of Child Care. My next job was as a Children's Caseworker at Rosewood Zaragosa /Austin - Travis Co. MHMR. It was at Rosewood that I began my professional association with Gary Glass, M.D.
Along with two other psychologists, Gary and I began working together in private practice. Sue Hoffman, LMSW-ACP joined Gary and I in 1986. I was licensed to practice Psychology in Texas in January of 1987. Austin Psychotherapy Associates has continued to develop and evolve with the goal of providing the greater Austin community with high quality multi- discipline mental health services.
During my years in private practice, I have provided consultation and services for several community agencies. Those agencies include the following: Travis County Services for the Deaf, The Settlement Home of Austin, Child Protective Services, Lutheran Social Services and The Casey Family Program. In the past, I have worked with numerous schools in the Austin area and I have worked extensively with hospitals and residential treatment centers. I served for three years as President of the Board of the Child Assault Prevention Program until it merged with the Pebble Project. In Spring, 2004 I began teaching in the St. Edwards University, Master of Arts in Counseling program.
Attempting to meet the challenge of providing quality mental health services in the age of managed care and insurance control over treatment, I was involved in the formation of Austin Mental Health IPA. For several years, I served as President of the Board of that organization.
Currently, my practice primarily focuses on the treatment of adolescents and adults although I also see some elementary school age children. I specialize in the treatment of ADHD, Anxiety, Depression, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, Grief and Loss, and Stress Management. Many of my clients are gifted and talented individuals such as musicians, artists, writers, physicians, and scientists. I do communicate in sign language and I still have a few adolescent or adult clients who are deaf.
I have had extensive
training and experience in psychological and educational assessment, but I no
longer devote much of my time to that area.
currently refer assessment cases to Mary Cunningham, Ph.D. (refer to Mary’s bio on this website). Other psychologists that I refer clients to for
assessment include the following: Kelley Ahr, Ph.D.; Stephen Thorne, Ph.D.; Gary Yorke, Ph.D.; and Scott Hammill, Ph.D.
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) has been an exciting "tool" that I have added to my repertoire of treatment techniques. I am certified as a Level II EMDR therapist and I have used this therapuetic technique for treatment of trauma, phobias, grief and loss as well as numerous other psychological impairments.
When working with clients, I take a holistic approach, evaluating and treating the whole person, looking for "Balance" in our lives. This includes the cognitive, emotional, physical, social, spiritual, recreational, and intimate parts of our selves.
I personally continuously strive to maintain balance in my life. I make sure I have time alone as well as time with my family and friends. As an athlete, I enjoy walking, biking, swimming, weight lifting, and for the past six year's I have studied and practiced T'ai Chi Chuan and Chi Gung. I also enjoy creative writing, playing piano, and photography. As an outdoorsman, I travel, hike, camp, and I love landscape gardening. I also study world religions to keep spirituality an integral part of my life.
I believe the most important thing for a client to know about me is that I love my work.
Thank You,
Don Johnson, Ph.D.
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