The Top 9 Private Pay Therapists in River Oaks
Discreet, High-Level Therapy for River Oaks Residents
If you live in River Oaks, you know that quality, privacy, and discretion matter — especially when it comes to your mental health. Many residents choose private pay therapy because it offers complete confidentiality, flexibility, and access to advanced treatment options that aren’t limited by insurance rules.
At Connect Clinical Services, our Houston-based therapists regularly work with clients from River Oaks and nearby Inner Loop neighborhoods. We specialize in Trauma Therapy in Houston, EMDR Therapy, Neurofeedback Therapy, Brainspotting Therapy, and integrative Individual Therapy for high-functioning adults, professionals, and families.
Below, meet nine of the top private pay therapists serving River Oaks, each bringing distinct expertise in trauma, emotional regulation, and nervous-system healing.
Private Pay Therapists in River Oaks: Meet the Team
1. Guy Bender, LPC — Clinical Director
Expertise: EMDR Therapy, Brainspotting, Neurofeedback, Trauma Integration, Leadership Consulting
As the founder and Clinical Director of Connect Clinical Services, Guy Bender has more than 16 years of experience in trauma-focused and neuroscience-based treatment. His work combines EMDR Therapy in Houston, Brainspotting Therapy, and Neurofeedback Therapy to help clients resolve long-standing patterns at both the brain and body level.
Guy has trained under leading trauma clinicians such as Richard Schwartz (Internal Family Systems) and Peter Levine (Somatic Experiencing). River Oaks clients often choose him when they want a clinically sophisticated, direct, and results-oriented approach to complex trauma, treatment placement, and nervous-system regulation.
Learn more about EMDR Therapy in Houston.
2. Shannon Tantillo, LCSW, LCDC, LCSW-S
Expertise: CBT, DBT, EMDR, Trauma-Informed Yoga, Recovery & Harm Reduction
With over 30 years in the mental health field, Shannon Tantillo offers deep experience in treating trauma, addiction, and emotional dysregulation. She integrates CBT, DBT, EMDR, and trauma-informed yoga to support clients who are ready for meaningful and sustainable change.
Private pay clients from River Oaks appreciate her grounded presence and collaborative style. Shannon’s background in research, detox, IOP, and private practice means she understands the full continuum of care — and how to help high-functioning individuals stabilize, recover, and rebuild.
3. Marina Erbstoesser, LMFT-S, LCDC, CSAT, CMAT-Tech
Expertise: Family Systems Therapy, Addiction Recovery, DBT, ACT, Trauma Healing
Marina Erbstoesser is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist Supervisor and certified sex addiction therapist with extensive experience in family systems and complex trauma. Her work at The Menninger Clinic and her involvement with IITAP have positioned her as a trusted resource for River Oaks clients seeking discreet help with addiction, relational wounds, and long-standing behavioral patterns.
Marina blends DBT, CBT, and ACT to help individuals, couples, and families repair trust, address compulsive behaviors, and move toward healthier relational dynamics.
4. Vanessa Green, LPC, NCC
Expertise: EMDR, DBT, Multicultural Counseling, Self-Esteem & Anxiety
Vanessa Green offers a warm, empowering style that resonates with both professionals and young adults. She specializes in EMDR Therapy, DBT, and solution-focused approaches to help clients manage anxiety, grief, identity questions, and self-esteem struggles.
Her multicultural lens and whole-person focus make her a strong fit for River Oaks clients navigating cross-cultural dynamics, high expectations, and internal pressure. Vanessa helps clients build emotional tools, clarify boundaries, and cultivate greater self-trust.
Explore more about Individual Therapy in Houston.
5. Sarah McGinnis, LPC
Expertise: Somatic Experiencing, EMDR, Narrative Therapy
Sarah McGinnis supports clients who are ready to transform how their past lives in their body and story. She integrates Somatic Experiencing, EMDR, and narrative work to address physical, sexual, and relational trauma.
Clients from River Oaks often come to Sarah when insight alone hasn’t shifted how they feel. Her sessions are described as grounding and restorative, helping people release stored tension, reframe long-held beliefs, and reconnect with purpose, meaning, and self-compassion.
6. Tyler Lemmons, LMSW — Supervised by Shannon Tantillo, LCSW-S
Expertise: EMDR, Grief Counseling, Trauma-Informed Care
Tyler Lemmons brings a gentle, relational presence to clients working through grief, loss, and attachment wounds. She uses EMDR, mindfulness, and body-based grounding to help clients process experiences that have felt too heavy or confusing to face alone.
Tyler is particularly attuned to religious trauma, early family experiences, and identity exploration. River Oaks clients often value her ability to slow things down, create safety, and connect emotional patterns to what the body is holding.
7. Ryan Bruce, LMSW
Expertise: Psychodynamic Therapy, Addictions, Mentalization-Based Therapy
Ryan Bruce works well with clients who want to understand the deeper “why” behind their emotions, choices, and relationships. Using a psychodynamic and mentalization-based lens, he helps adults examine underlying patterns related to depression, anxiety, addiction, and relational conflict.
With prior experience at The Menninger Clinic and The Council on Recovery, Ryan is comfortable navigating high-acuity histories within a private pay outpatient setting. River Oaks clients often find his reflective, insight-oriented approach helpful when they’re ready to move beyond short-term coping into long-term change.
8. Shannon Lewis, LPC-Associate
Expertise: Neurofeedback Therapy, Relationship Growth, Trauma Support
Shannon Lewis focuses heavily on Neurofeedback Therapy in Houston, helping clients improve focus, mood stability, sleep, and stress tolerance through EEG-based brain training.
By combining neurofeedback with supportive counseling, Shannon helps River Oaks clients better regulate their nervous system, stay present in relationships, and recover from chronic stress or trauma. Her humanitarian work providing trauma care abroad reflects the same compassion and commitment she brings into the therapy room.
Learn more about Neurofeedback Therapy in Houston.
9. Briana Dergent, LCSW
Expertise: EMDR, CBT, Trauma-Focused CBT, ADHD, Bipolar Disorder
Briana Dergent specializes in treating trauma, anxiety, and mood disorders in both adults and adolescents. She combines EMDR, CBT, and Trauma-Focused CBT to help clients better understand their symptoms, build practical coping tools, and stabilize emotionally.
River Oaks clients value Briana’s calm, straightforward style and her ability to balance compassion with clear structure. She is particularly skilled in supporting individuals navigating ADHD, bipolar disorder, and complex trauma who want both depth and day-to-day strategies.
Brain-Based and Trauma-Informed Care Minutes From River Oaks
Connect Clinical Services is located at 8100 Washington Ave, Suite 170, Houston, TX 77007, just a short drive from River Oaks, Avalon Place, Upper Kirby, and nearby neighborhoods.
Our team goes beyond “just talking.” We offer brain-based, trauma-informed therapies designed for clients who want more than coping skills:
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EMDR Therapy in Houston – Helps reprocess disturbing experiences so they stop driving your reactions.
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Brainspotting Therapy in Houston – Uses eye position to access and release deeply held emotional material.
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Neurofeedback Therapy in Houston – Non-invasive brain training that supports focus, mood regulation, and resilience.
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Somatic Experiencing – A body-based approach that helps unwind chronic tension, hypervigilance, and nervous-system overload.
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Integrative Individual Therapy – Combining CBT, DBT, IFS, and psychodynamic work based on your goals.
This integrated model is especially powerful for River Oaks clients facing chronic stress, high responsibility, and long-standing trauma.
What Private Pay Clients in River Oaks Can Expect
A Tailored, Confidential Experience
When you begin private pay therapy with Connect Clinical Services, your care is designed around your life, not an insurance company’s rules.
You can expect:
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A free 15-minute consultation to identify the right therapist for your needs.
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A comprehensive intake where you and your therapist define what “better” actually looks like.
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A customized treatment plan that may include Trauma Therapy, EMDR, Brainspotting, Somatic Experiencing, Neurofeedback, or a blend of modalities.
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Ongoing refinement of your plan as your nervous system settles, relationships shift, and your goals evolve.
Why Choose Private Pay Therapy in River Oaks?
Private pay therapy gives River Oaks clients the privacy, flexibility, and customization that many insurance-based models can’t.
When you work with Connect Clinical Services:
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Your care is confidential – No automatic insurance reporting or required diagnosis for services.
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Scheduling is flexible – Evening and telehealth sessions throughout Texas are available for busy professionals and families.
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You can access advanced modalities – Including EMDR Therapy, Neurofeedback, Somatic Experiencing, and Brainspotting.
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Treatment plans are tailored to your life – Therapy can be structured around trauma recovery, performance, leadership stress, relationships, or all of the above.
FAQs: Private Pay Therapists in River Oaks
Is your office convenient to River Oaks?
Yes. Connect Clinical Services is located at 8100 Washington Ave, Suite 170, Houston, TX 77007, just minutes from River Oaks. Many clients schedule sessions before or after work, between meetings, or during quieter parts of their day.
Do you work with executives, professionals, and high-achieving clients?
Absolutely. A significant portion of our private pay caseload consists of attorneys, physicians, executives, founders, and other high-responsibility professionals. Our clinicians are comfortable discussing:
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High-pressure roles and leadership stress
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Burnout, perfectionism, and difficulty “turning off”
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The emotional cost of visibility, wealth, and public roles
We tailor treatment to support both emotional health and real-world performance.
Can I use out-of-network insurance benefits for private pay therapy?
Connect Clinical Services is a private pay practice, but many clients use out-of-network benefits. We provide itemized superbills you can submit to your insurance company for potential reimbursement. Coverage and reimbursement amounts vary, so it’s best to check with your plan.
What issues do River Oaks clients most often seek help for?
Common reasons River Oaks residents seek private pay therapy with us include:
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Trauma and PTSD
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Chronic anxiety or panic
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High-functioning depression or burnout
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Sleep problems and nervous-system overactivation
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Relationship strain and family stress
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ADHD, bipolar disorder, or long-standing mood instability
We often use a mix of Trauma Therapy, Therapy in Houston for Professionals, EMDR, Brainspotting, Somatic Experiencing, and Neurofeedback to address these concerns.
How is private pay therapy different from traditional insurance-based therapy?
With private pay therapy:
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Sessions can be longer and more flexible.
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You and your therapist decide the pace and focus of treatment.
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There is no need to meet diagnostic or “medical necessity” requirements to continue.
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Advanced modalities like Neurofeedback and Brainspotting can be integrated without restrictions.
For many River Oaks clients, this level of freedom and privacy is essential to doing deep, effective work.
How do I get started with a private pay therapist serving River Oaks?
You can start by:
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Visiting Therapy in Houston to explore services.
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Reviewing our specialty pages, such as Trauma Therapy in Houston or EMDR Therapy in Houston.
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Completing the contact form on our Contact Us page to request a consult.
Our team will help match you with a private pay therapist who fits your goals, personality, and schedule.
Begin Your Healing Journey Near River Oaks
Your mental health is foundational to how you lead, love, and live. If you are looking for private pay therapists in River Oaks who offer advanced, trauma-informed, brain-based care, Connect Clinical Services is ready to support you.
Book Your Appointment to get matched with a therapist who understands both the pressures and potential of life in River Oaks.
