San Marcos Counselor Bethany Hanusch, LPC

Interests & areas of Focus

I work with adults of all ages and life circumstances. Most people come to me looking to connect some dots or disrupt patterns they have noticed. In recent years I have really leaned into the soft, gentle work of rebuilding safety within the body. My work is trauma & nervous system informed. And these aren’t just buzz words, I believe with setting up the right environment in therapy, healing, growth and relief is actually achievable. It is my joy to be able to help people move from seeing themselves with judgment and resentment to seeing their core selves with compassion and understanding.

I also work with college students who are working through all the things you would expect to work through in your late teens and early twenties! Anxiety, life transitions, depression, processing childhood trauma, processing your family history and how it impacts you, relationship issues among partners and friends- the list goes on! Your 20s are a time for reflecting back on experiences, growing self awareness, & then looking ahead .

The clients I work with are already a bit introspective and often wish to work in the mental health profession themselves. They are ready to do the work of processing their feelings, thoughts, & behaviors and are seeking skills to help live a more full, healthy life. If that’s you- we would be a great fit!

Personal Details

In my free time I enjoy spending time with my husband of 14 years, Levi, our 4 year old son, and our two pets. Before I began graduate school for counseling I was a wedding photographer for 5 years which gave me a lot of experience with anxiety and stress! In my downtime I enjoy scary movies, gardening, embroidery, reality tv, and I love traveling and hiking. 

Approach to Counseling

In the counseling room I utilize several therapeutic approaches, including Self Compassion Focus, IFS (Internal Family Systems), EMDR, and Somatic awareness. Using a blend of these approaches, my hope for clients is that they will experience relief from deep pain points, as well as learn to build a safe compassionate relationship with themselves. I believe each person has individual wisdom and goodness, but often life experiences have made that part retreat to stay safe. When we can move through the painful roles and coping skills we took on along the way to get by, we can rediscover what has already been within the whole time. I do also have additional focus on working with people of faith, I understand the world of Christianity, for all it’s good and bad parts.

Education

I have a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and a Master of Arts in Professional Counseling. Included in this education are 800 hours of internship training. I am EMDR trained (Eye Movement and Desensitization Reprocessing) through Rick Levinson’s program. In 2025 I became a Level 1 Trained IFS Therapist (Internal Family Systems). Additionally, I have training in theology and biblical counseling from the Austin Stone Institute.