Today we’d like to introduce you to John Avritt.
Hi John, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I spend the first 15 years of my professional career as a high school basketball/track coach and teacher. As I evolved as a person, a husband, and a father, I realized that the thing I valued the most about that profession were the great relationships I was able to build with the people I came into contact with. I earned a graduate degree in counseling and another one in sport psychology. Those degrees led me to work as a professional school counselor and eventually as a Master Resiliency Trainer at Ft. Hood. After living for over 20 years in the Austin/Central Texas area I realized that the need for mental health services far outweighed the availability. It was very confusing that people were put on waiting lists to see a trained professional for 2, 3, and sometimes 6 months. So in 2023 I opened the doors here in Killeen, essentially across the street from Ft. Hood. Our goal has been to keep waiting times short, to be able to see those in need regardless of their insurance, and see people of all ages and presentations. My mission is when someone calls us or walks in the door, we have an expert for them to see. Building an honest and caring relationship is critical in mental health and it remains a primary focus of our clinic. We are able to offer several different therapy options, including EMDR and Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy. We have recently added a PMHNP to the team.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
When you start a private practice and decide to take insurance, nothing is easy!! We’ve learned a lot about taking insurance, billing insurance, and working with more difficult ones, like Tricare. But since we teach resilience, I can honestly say that all of the struggles have made us stronger. No one can ever learn what they’re made of unless they’ve had struggles.
We’ve been impressed with The Mindset Counseling Group, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
At The Mindset Counseling Group, we provide compassionate, evidence-based mental health services for individuals across the lifespan—children, teens, adults, and families. Our practice specializes in meeting clients where they are and helping them build healthier, more fulfilling lives through a holistic approach to therapy. We look at the whole person—their history, environment, relationships, and strengths—to support deep, sustainable change rather than short-term symptom relief.
One of the offerings we are most known for is Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP), a powerful treatment option for clients struggling with treatment-resistant depression, PTSD, anxiety, and other conditions. We are proud to be one of the few practices in our region offering KAP in a safe, clinically structured, and fully therapeutic setting. Our team includes fully licensed clinicians as well as supervised associates, ensuring high-quality care grounded in current research and best practices.
What sets The Mindset Counseling Group apart is our commitment to accessibility, authenticity, and clinical excellence. We partner with most major insurance plans to make care affordable, and we emphasize developing real, meaningful therapeutic relationships rather than a one-size-fits-all approach. Whether a client is seeking help for emotional regulation, trauma recovery, life transitions, or family dynamics, our goal is always the same: to empower them to understand themselves more deeply, strengthen their internal resources, and create lasting change.
Brand-wise, we are most proud of creating a space that feels welcoming, grounded, and genuinely supportive—a place where clients feel safe to heal and clinicians feel supported to grow. Ultimately, we want readers to know that The Mindset Counseling Group is here to provide comprehensive mental health care rooted in compassion, innovation, and a belief in every person’s ability to thrive.
So maybe we end on discussing what matters most to you and why?
What’s most important to me both personally and professionally is authenticity. I think my ‘raw and uncensored’ approach helps clients feel comfortable by allowing them to fully express what they are thinking without judgement. One of the best compliments I have ever received was from a former high school student who said “Dr. A is real”.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.mindsetcounselingtx.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drjohnnya14/; https://www.instagram.com/themindsetcounselinggroup/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100089750588387
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@UnfilteredCounseling
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@johnnya141
Image Credits
Not sure what to credit here, but the image of me and the woman in the red dress is my wife, Dr. Kelly Avritt.
