Justin Thetford

Justin Thetford specializes in the treatment of depression, anxiety, and sexual behaviors. Justin grew up in the city of Lubbock, Texas. He was raised as the youngest of three children by a single mother. Being a very timid and quiet child, he spent a lot of time watching and listening to others. Over time, Justin developed a natural acuity for the emotions of those around him. As a child in a single parent household, he learned of the difficulties his family went through to stay afloat and the importance of family working as a team to remain strong. Justin went on to enthusiastically participate in his school’s tennis team until graduating high school. He then went on to attend Texas Tech University and received his Bachelor of Arts in Psychology.

Style and Approach

Soon after graduating from college, Justin moved to Virginia to gain a better sense of what he wanted to achieve in his life and to explore his career options. It was here where Justin was given the very impactful role of a residential counselor in a residential service for young men who were traversing the foster system. This position gave Justin the inspiration he was looking for and led to him obtaining his Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center.

During this educational period, Justin also worked for the Texas Department of Family & Protective Services as a Child Protective Services Investigator. The experiences leading to Justin’s current position have driven his passion for individuals of all backgrounds, with a special place for those who have faced family trauma. Justin also loves helping people work through struggles with depression, anxiety, sexuality and the difficulties that come with transitioning into adulthood or coming to terms with their identity. Justin works with children age 15 and up. His counseling approach is based on Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy, Reality Therapy, and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. He believes that counseling should be comfortable, like having a conversation with a trusted mentor.

Some other things to know about Justin include his love of rock music of all eras, his passion for the great outdoors and wildlife, and his laid-back attitude and willingness to talk about anything. In his spare time, he likes to read (fiction, philosophy, and psychology), make his best attempt at studying new languages, and get some exercise.