It's been over seven years since I last used a substance to change the way I feel. I truly don't believe my sobriety would be where it is today without the guidance of Chris Shanks. He helped me see reality for what it is and taught me how not to be ruled by my own mind. Chris has a gift for using analogies that speak directly to the heart, making complex ideas easy to understand. That approach allowed me to quickly grasp the insights he shared. Even now, I check in with him from time to time, and I continue to be amazed by his deep understanding of addiction and recovery. He never presents himself as anything other than a genuine human being with a sincere desire to help alleviate suffering in others. I'm beyond grateful. read more

Shanks Counseling - Shanks on the left, me on the right at Casa De Luz in Austin, TX - Counseling & Mental Health Near Me

I started working with Chris two years ago seeking help with some substance abuse issues. Through our time together, I've learned so much about how my mind works and improved the quality of my life exponentially. I feel far more present and centered in my every day life. My spiritual growth has been remarkable and become a very important part of my life too. Chris' knowledge and respect for sacred medicine is a beautiful thing to witness and made a life-changing impact on my life. read more

Working with Chris over the past three plus years has truly changed my life in ways that are hard to put into words, but I'll try because he deserves that and more. When I first met Chris, I was in a place where hope felt completely out of reach. I had relapsed more times than I could count, and even my doctor saw that traditional medicine and therapy wasn't going to be enough to save me; so she recommended Chris to me. Chris didn't swoop in with quick fixes or empty promises. Instead, he met me exactly where I was -- broken, stubborn, scared -- and somehow still saw the part of me that was worth fighting for. Through patience, honesty, and a kind of deep intuitive wisdom that can't be taught, he helped me reconnect with the part of myself I thought was long gone. Working with Chris isn't about being told what to do -- it's about being guided, gently but firmly, back to your own inner strength. He believes in meeting each person where they are and helping them build a new path forward, one real, steady step at a time. He created a space where I could heal, fall, get back up, and slowly, surely, start living again with purpose and love. Thanks to Chris, I don't just survive my days anymore -- I live them. I walk through challenges now with clarity and grace I didn't know I had. I still stumble sometimes -- that's life -- but the difference now is I know who I am, and I trust the person I am becoming. Chris helped me find myself again. And if you're willing to show up and be honest, even when it's hard, he can help you find yourself too. I'm endlessly grateful for the work we've done together, and for the fire inside me that he helped me protect and grow. Thank you, Chris, for being a guide, a teacher, and one of the reasons I'm still standing today. read more

I highly recommend Chris Shanks to anyone struggling with alcohol. I was a daily drinker for 30 years and have now achieved six months of continuous sobriety, thanks in large part to Chris's philosophy and approach. Over the past 15 years, I tried nearly everything: more than a dozen books on alcoholism, hundreds of hours of podcasts, countless AA meetings, quit drinking apps, an outpatient rehab program, vitamin-based treatments--you name it. While many of these approaches work for others, none worked for me. At best, I could string together a day or two of sobriety a few times a year. As a "highly functional" alcoholic in a white-collar career (also why my name is anonymous), I minimized and hid my drinking as best I could. The people closest to me knew the truth, and so did I--but none of that mattered once 6 p.m. rolled around. My daily need to quiet the relentless voice of addiction always overpowered my desire to change. I was heading toward serious illness or an early death, and I was exhausted from fighting a battle I kept losing. I had begun to accept that fate. Working weekly with Chris changed everything. Through mindfulness and harm-reduction practices, he helped me gradually shift my awareness away from the constant stream of thoughts and rumination that had long dictated my emotions and actions--the same ones I drowned each night with alcohol. With his direct, no-nonsense guidance, I learned to get out of my own head and be present with myself and others, especially those who matter most. Chris's approach isn't easy. It requires a fundamental shift in how we live day to day. But it is not about white-knuckling sobriety, behavior modification through misery, or resigning yourself to a life of deprivation. It's about real change. I'm in my 50s, and for the first time in my adult life, I feel cautiously optimistic--and genuinely confident--that I can live without alcohol. I attribute so much of this journey to Chris Shanks. He has changed the trajectory of my life. If this review resonates with you or someone you care about, I strongly encourage you to reach out to Chris. read more

I wanted to give it 2 years before writing a review. I've hit that milestone... Even though I haven't talked to Chris in about a year, not a week goes by that I don't reflect on some of the conversations we had. That's what I'd call them, conversations. It didn't feel like a therapist/patient relationship. It was better than that. I went to treatment, and very quickly realized that I was not interested in AA or any of those "culty" roads to sobriety. That thing where you trade one addiction for another addiction did not appeal to me. Not only was it just not my bag, but I got shit to do. Kids that have to be carted around to various activities, a wife that can't just have a chill weekend at home, it's gotta be filled up with shit, and employment that I needed to get back to. I just spent 6 weeks away in treatment and it was time for me to take back some of the load my wife had been carrying. I can't be hemmed up in meetings trying to earn coins. Enter, Chris... Man, was I in a rut of shame and disappointment. Just feeling gross and sorry for myself. Chris was very quick to sift through all the noise and get to the meat of me and my hang-ups. We just talked. During those conversations, things got itemized, drilled down on, and ultimately dealt with. Chris wasn't prescribing any treatment, or program. Chris was guiding me to find my own path to recovery. You fell down? Ok, that happens. Now get back up and try again. You can't surprise him. He's been there, done that, and stole the t-shirt. He knows how hard it is to break habits. That's really what we all have, very bad habits that turned into full blown addictions. He got me to shift my perspective just enough to set me on a path that I could gamify. I was excited about this path and hell bent on beating my top score. Being sober started a chain reaction. Hmmm, I've been so unhealthy for so long, I wonder what the other end of this spectrum looks and feels like? It was on. Me against me. Chris was encouraging and real. No fluff. No platitudes. Just helpful and genuinely happy to see me happy. Everything comes from a place of gratitude with Chris. Ah, you stumbled and drank while your wife was out of town? Good, be thankful that it happened that way and that you had a chance to see what that feels like... and what it's going to feel like when you tell her about it... Umm, what was that last part? That sense of gratitude is contagious. It makes you want to be a better person. Before you know it, silver linings are everywhere. Thank you, Chris! I don't even know what you did, but it's been a super rewarding journey! read more

Chris calls himself the potty-mouthed plagiarist, and honestly, it fits. He doesn't waste time with fluff--he gets straight to the core issues, helping you navigate mediation and mindfulness with no-nonsense, real-world insight. He curses (which I appreciate), and he moves fast. In just 10 weeks of working with him, my blood pressure has gone down, and the time I used to spend stuck in old frustrations--days of ruminating over the same BS--has shrunk to just 90 to 180 seconds. Now, I can pull myself back into the present and focus on solving the real issues of daily life. I don't struggle with addiction (unless you count the occasional Oreo binge). I run multiple companies, and from the outside, my life would probably look "successful." Cool. Great. But inside, I was constantly stressed, stuck in old family programming, and convinced I had no choice or voice in certain relationships. That's all changed for the better--thanks to Chris. Work with him! Dan read more

I have had the pleasure of working with Chris Shanks for over a year, though I did not seek him out on my own. Something within me sought inner peace and wholeness, but despite all the knowledge and experiences I accumulated, I knew that I really had no idea what to do with my life or how to really go about any path to find the wholeness I sought. I was desperate to try whatever I could, I was desperate enough to ask for help. In the midst of burning my life down, I was given the opportunity to make a phone call to "some guy in Texas" that could potentially teach me how to meditate ... When we first started talking, my mind was completely scattered and my internal energy felt like it was moving at 200 mph. Chris didn't preach to me, nor did he represent that he had all the answers. He simply met me where I was, and empowered me how to slow things down internally, how to use my own faculties to let the dust settle. Through our work together, he has given me the tools and resolve to develop my inner stillness and strengthen my connection to spirit. The skills and practices we have worked on over the last year have proved invaluable, and I would highly recommend him to anyone that is seeking help to find their way. read more

I hit three years of sobriety on the day that I'm writing this. How did I do it? Chris Shanks opened up the door to mindfulness in a way that never made sense before. And that was just the start to a whole new way of looking at life for me. Your mileage may vary, but this is longest I've ever been sober and I had been trying for 10 years (I tried hypnosis, support groups, medication, etc). Underneath everything I do now is a layer of peace. I no longer have to rely on a relationship, a job, money, or a new car to make me feel whole (although I do have all those things lol). I don't want this to sound like an advertisement, it's just my truth, and I'm grateful to Shanks. Good luck on your own personal journey! read more

Shanks Counseling - Counseling & Mental Health Near Me

I don't fall into the typical type of patient Chris sees but nonetheless I've found his methods to really help. He is going to teach you how to cope better. One person may cope by using drugs and another may cope by being anxious and yet another coping method may be to lash out. All of these can be addressed with the same approach and I suspect with great success from all of his other reviews. Chris will help you set a mindfulness practice to lay a foundation as you start therapy. It will instantly quell your issues while simultaneously giving you and therapist a place to start that feels safe. It's a stepwise approach where you will need to do some work each day. Each session will be spent discussing the questions surrounding your practice. Chris uses telehealth and my sessions with him are like a facetime call. I was able to keep my appointment even when I went on vacation because of this style. His pricing is very affordable and I'm able to attend a 30 minute session weekly and still pay out of pocket. Best of luck to anyone out there struggling. There is hope. read more

I spent years spiraling into a hate filled view of myself and most of the world around me. With the exception of a few of my friends and family members, I felt like everything was pain and misery. I struggled with constant self-criticism and hate for the most ridiculous reasons and held onto them like the pain was my shield against making the same mistakes again. I continuously grasped and held onto negative thoughts and experiences while I disregarded and deflected any positivity instantly as flukes that I didn't deserve. The negative thoughts had somehow become my self-harming addiction. Some friends that had already been speaking with Chris tried for over a year to get me to reach out to him, but I continuously made excuses. One day, I was at rock bottom once more; it was a place that I swore to myself I would never reach again. I finally told one of my friends that enough was enough. He put me in contact with Chris and by the end of the day, we had talked over the phone. I started his mindfulness program that evening. Learning mindfulness and understanding of my own thoughts quickly painted a different view of my own life and how it was not as painful as I had believed. Within a couple of weeks, I no longer felt like I was drowning. I mentioned to him that I had contemplated plant medicine, but no longer felt it was needed. We discussed it and I decided to give it a try. The difference before and after Chris and plant medicine feels unreal. The world is an entirely different place, and I am happy to be in it. I could not explain enough how important a call with Chris would be to anyone even considering it. You are worth it! You can be happy and own your life again! You can do it! Thank you, Chris! read more

I would definitely recommend Shanks Counseling. I've spent years suffering from, and falling prisoner to anxiety, depression, and addiction. Eventually I was unable to experience any joy in my life, despite my many blessings. My world was crumbling around me. I've spent a lot of time and a lot of money on conventional therapy and counseling over the years and never experienced the desired results. I'm coming up on 8 months of continuous sobriety and have been working with Shanks for 7 of those months. Bringing mindfulness and meditation into my life under Shanks' guidance has completely turned my world around and I now enjoy a SOBER life filled with joy and peace. Situations and external factors that used to absolutely sink me mentally and emotionally no longer have that same power over me. By nurturing my awareness through mindfulness practice, I am learning how to be the solution to my own suffering. I couldn't be happier with where I am today and the growth I've experienced in such a relatively short amount of time. Every day brings a new lesson and a new joy. I'm eternally grateful to Shanks Counseling. read more

Chris has helped me immensely get my life back on track. He brings the knowledge and wisdom of years walking in my shoes with his history of putting his addiction behind him and not dwelling on the past. He has shown me how to use mindfulness throughout my day which has had an unprecedented effect on my thought processes, truly opening my eyes to the way our minds work. This in turn allows me to have much more control of my life and actions- a truly unique perspective on relapse prevention which has been a game changer for me. He is super easy to talk to and he gets it unlike many in his industry these days. I can't say enough good about him- he has changed my life! read more

THANK YOU CHRIS! i was struggling with some personal issues - non addiction type of stuff. Chris gave me some tools on DAY ONE. we set an action plan on day one as well. I loved that. so many times you go to someone and you leave feeling worse and without an action plan on how to get better. not with Chris. I really enjoyed our sessions and we now meet once a month for maintenance. His approach was/is perfect for me. it has made a lasting impact on me and my ability to manage things - emotions, responses to triggers, clearing my mind. I'm in such a better place now. And with tools to keep growing. Chris has helped me make changes to myself which are impacting my family for the better. Thank you. read more

Chris has changed my point of view in life, he taught me how to controll my thoughts and emotions through mindfulness. This helped me kick bad habits and take full control over my life through conversation and meditations. When I first started counseling with Chris, I did not look forward to our meetings, I smoked weed every time I woke up and anytime i could, Now I look forward to meeting with him and have kicked my bad habit of waking and baking. Chris's counseling is more than just kicking habits he really does teach you how to control your thoughts which can help you in infinite aspects of your life. I am forever thankful for Chris and all he has done for me. read more

I am a chronic relapser. My journey has included numerous inpatient treatments, outpatient treatments, jail, and more psychiatric wards than I care to recall. Over the years, I have been able to achieve physical sobriety for extended periods of time, two of which are noteworthy; one lasted for about three years and another for about five. The problem, though, lies in the fact that these periods were not sustainable. I drank and used drugs again - plain and simple. When measuring the success of conventional methods, that is very important data for me to consider. Looking back, it is quite clear that I experienced very little freedom during those periods of abstinence. While I may have been free from the suffering of the consequences of drug and alcohol use, I was still experiencing the consequences of my own thinking. I was obsessive, perfectionistic, and neurotic. The methods taught by Chris have empowered me to break free from the prison of my own mind. Whether you are new to recovery, a chronic relapser with whom conventional methods have failed, or have been in recovery for years but are still a victim of the misery produced by your own thinking, I would highly recommend Shanks Counseling. Perhaps the most beautiful thing about his approach is that it is totally experiential. There is nothing that I must BELIEVE to begin experiencing freedom. I must only DO what he teaches and reap the benefits of my own experience. read more

Shanks counseling has really played a huge part in my life these past couple of years and has really opened up my heart to myself. and to other beings. I continue to learn and grow with shanks after years of knowing him and praising the mindfulness practice in my everyday life. Shanks continues to grow and learn himself. and has pushed me in a lot of ways to be the best version of myself. I feel like I've opened my eyes to reality for the first time - seen that I've grown more into the peaceful natural being of myself these last couple of months/years that I have aspired to be all my life read more

i Love this man. Not only did he help me find freedom he set my heart free. I am now able to enjoy my family. I see the world in a new way. From a state of oneness. Awake and aware of everything. the ego has been smashed. read more

I've been doing counseling with Chris for about 8months. The past 8months have changed my life and perception completely. I HIGHLY recommend chris for anyone! I have had what felt like insurmountable addiction, and deep depression. I went to rehab for 50days, and when getting out I still felt sad, angry, and disappointed. While I was 10x better then I was going in, I just wasn't happy. My rehab (Burning Tree) suggested continuing my mindfulness practice with Chris. At first, I just thought it would be the same as all councler's. Lots of talk, then after the session you realize nothing they told you actually applies to real life. I was completely wrong. The first 30 days of counseling, I worked on a mindfulness course. Basically learning how to practice and pondering some concepts. About 2 weeks in I started noticing some differences. Not feeling as bad and having a more calm composure. Chris motivated me and actually gave me answers. Most of the counselors I had been to just reflected the question back at me. Chris however, told me real ways to change how I felt. He guided me through what consciousness actually is, and how to be present in the moment. Anxiety is just looking to the future and depression is holding on to the past. The first 2months were pretty hard to be consistent in. I just had a hard time reminding myself of how to keep calm in bad situations. Eventually, These practices started to become second nature. I started to barley have any conflict. This was a big change considering some members of my family thrive on conflict. I just kind of realized I don't have to react. Also, I started to feel more for others. Understanding that they were just listening to their minds will, just as I had done months before. How can you be mad at someone you feel bad for? Slowly, things started to come together around me. I had a new found motivation as well. Chris convinced me to to try a ketogenic diet and work out as well. I was hesitant, being I was overweight and scared to change that. I didn't believe I could change it. Immediately I started feeling different. This feels like yesterday, but It has been about 3 months since then. I have lost 65 pounds and shooting for another 30. I am literally a completely different person now. I went from hating myself and hating life, to loving every minute. Yes, bad times do happen. However, I now know how to handle them . I can look in the mirror and say I love myself now. Not only physically, mentally I don't recognize myself. I have goals, aspirations, and appreciation for life. I feel more clear minded and motivated everyday. Not only that, but Im over 9months sober! I have found things I truly enjoy, and I never had that really. Through all of this Chris has motivated me and showed me how to do this. Life is good, and I could not have done any of it without Chris. If you are on the fence about planning a session, DO IT!!! He is a great guy, and fun to talk to. It's never boring like with most councler's. Hard work will always pay off if it has intention. You can do it, just try! read more