Waterloo Counseling Center
Waterloo Counseling Center is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit outpatient mental health counseling program in Austin, Texas, operating as part of Texas Health Action since 2020. It provides affirming individual, couples/family, and group therapy to LGBTQIA+ individuals and people living with HIV/AIDS via in-person and statewide Texas telehealth.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1983
- HeadquartersAustin, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Waterloo Counseling Center does
Waterloo Counseling Center is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit outpatient mental health counseling organization founded in 1983 by Paul Clover in Austin, Texas, originally to serve people dying from AIDS. Since 2020 it has operated as a program of Texas Health Action, a community-informed nonprofit that also operates Kind Clinic and other integrated health programs for LGBTQIA+ populations and people affected by HIV. Its clinical portfolio comprises individual therapy ($180 per 60-minute self-pay session), couples/family therapy, and therapist-led group therapy, each priced at $90 per 60-90 minute self-pay session, supplemented by free peer-led support groups, adult healthcare letters (for HRT, gender marker change, surgery, name change, and disability documentation), and Ryan White grant assistance covering 58-100% of fees for eligible HIV-positive clients. A sliding scale program discounts self-pay rates by 42-98% for uninsured or underinsured clients, and the Crime Victims Compensation Program is accepted for eligible crime victims.
Services are delivered in-person at a South Austin office (2800 S. IH 35 Frontage Rd., Suite 215) and via a HIPAA-compliant telehealth platform available statewide to Texas residents. Client management runs on AthenaHealth (patient portal for scheduling and rescheduling) and Waitlist+ (intake/waitlist signup), with priority scheduling granted to new HIV-positive patients seeking Ryan White-covered services. The clinical team is small (approximately 5 fully licensed therapists across LCSWs and LPCs, plus associate therapists, graduate interns, and administrative staff within an 11-50 total headcount band), with specializations in affirming care for LGBTQIA+ clients, HIV/AIDS-related mental health, and trauma.
The go-to-market model is community-led, anchored by word-of-mouth referrals and warm handoffs from the Texas Health Action / Kind Clinic network; the organization holds in-network status with Blue Cross Blue Shield, Magellan, Aetna, Cigna, Medicaid, Medicare, and Optum/United Healthcare, alongside the self-pay, sliding scale, and grant-funded revenue streams. No revenue, ARR, or budget figures are disclosed in the source material. Waterloo has been formally recognized by the Texas Governor (1994), the Texas Senate (2008), the Metropolitan Community Church of Austin (1997), and Samaritan Center (2007) for its 40-plus years of service to LGBTQIA+ and HIV-affected communities in Central Texas.
Waterloo Counseling Center firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Waterloo Counseling Center
- Legal name
- Waterloo Counseling Center
- Website
- https://waterloocounseling.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1983
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Waterloo Counseling Center is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit outpatient mental health counseling program in Austin, Texas, operating as part of Texas Health Action since 2020. It provides affirming individual, couples/family, and group therapy to LGBTQIA+ individuals and people living with HIV/AIDS via in-person and statewide Texas telehealth.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Waterloo Counseling Center industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Mental Health Counseling Services
- NAICS
- Offices of Mental Health Practitioners (except Physicians) (62133)
- SIC
- Services-Specialty Outpatient Facilities, Nec (8093)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Outpatient Mental Health & Counseling Clinics (HLAFABAC)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Mental Health & Crisis Support Services (BPAGACAD)
Keywords
Where Waterloo Counseling Center is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Austin
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Waterloo Counseling Center business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Others
Revenue model
- Fee-for-Service Therapy: Direct client payments for therapy sessions including individual ($180), couples/family ($90), and group therapy ($90). Self-pay clients receive Good Faith estimates as required by the No Surprises Act.
- Insurance Billing: Waterloo bills insurance for clients with coverage through Blue Cross Blue Shield, Magellan, Aetna, Cigna, Medicaid, Medicare, and Optum/United Healthcare. Limited in-network providers available.
- Sliding Scale Discount Program: For uninsured clients or those without mental health benefits. Discounts range from 42% to 98% off self-pay rates based on household income and household size.
- Ryan White Grant Assistance: For HIV-positive clients without insurance or mental health benefits. Covers 58% to 100% of fees based on sliding scale. No wait for eligible Ryan White clients.
- Crime Victims Compensation: Waterloo works with the Crime Victims Compensation Program to cover therapy costs for eligible crime victims.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| One time/ perpetual license | Per session | Individual Therapy Self-Pay |
| Unit Pricing | Per session | Couples/Family/Group Therapy Self-Pay |
| Subscription | Monthly | Insurance-Based Therapy |
| Freemium | Free | Peer Groups |
| Other | Per service | Adult Healthcare Letters |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels5 records
Waterloo Counseling Center product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Waterloo Counseling Center is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit outpatient mental health counseling center founded in 1983 that provides affirming individual, couples/family, and group therapy specializing in LGBTQIA+ individuals and people living with HIV/AIDS. Services are delivered in-person at the South Austin office and via HIPAA-compliant telehealth statewide across Texas, with financial access supported through a sliding scale discount program (42%-98% off) and Ryan White grant assistance (58%-100% off) for eligible HIV-positive clients.
Product overview
Waterloo Counseling Center is an outpatient mental health counseling organization offering a portfolio of clinical and peer-based services. Its core clinical offerings include Individual Therapy, Couples/Family Therapy, Group Therapy (therapist-led), and Adult Healthcare Letters (HRT, gender marker change, surgery, name change, disability). These are complemented by free Peer Groups (peer-led support and social groups) and a Client Portal powered by AthenaHealth. Financial access is supported through a Limited Sliding Scale Discount Program (42%–98% off) and a Ryan White Grant Program (58%–100% off for eligible HIV-positive clients). All services are delivered in-person in Austin and San Antonio or via HIPAA-compliant telemedicine statewide across Texas, with interpretation services available in all languages.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Individual Therapy One-on-one therapy sessions at $180 per 60-minute session addressing depression, anxiety, stress, self-esteem, grief, trauma, PTSD, boundaries, relationships, coming out, LGBTQ experiences, gender identity exploration, and living with HIV/AIDS. Available for clients age 15+ in-person at the South Austin office and via telehealth statewide across Texas.
- Couples/Family Therapy Counseling services for couples and families at $90 per 60-90 minute session to improve communication, resolve disagreements, create healthy boundaries, and strengthen relationships. Virtual sessions and limited in-person sessions at satellite locations are available.
- Group Therapy Therapist-led group therapy sessions at $90 per session providing opportunities to explore issues with peers, improve communication, receive support, and learn from others' experiences. Groups currently meet virtually statewide in Texas.
- Peer Groups Free peer-led support and social groups including Resiliency Workshop, Statewide Queer Support Group, Art & Heal Group, Queer Relationship Group, and HIV Support Group (led by Kind Clinic). These are volunteer-led and free to attend, listed on Eventbrite.
- Adult Healthcare Letters Assistance with healthcare-related letters for adult clients aged 18+ including HRT letters, Gender Marker Change letters, Surgery letters, Name Change letters, and Disability letters. Available for current clients as part of therapy services. Emotional Support Animal letters are not provided.
- Ryan White Grant Program Grant assistance for HIV-positive clients with no health insurance or insurance without mental health benefits, offering potential discounts of 58%-100% off the full self-pay fee. No wait for eligible clients; priority scheduling for HIV-positive patients seeking Ryan White services.
- Sliding Scale Discount Program Discount program offering potential reductions of 42%-98% off the full self-pay fee for uninsured clients, those without mental health benefits, or clients choosing out-of-network therapists. Eligibility based on household income and household size.
Companies that use Waterloo Counseling Center
Customer profileNamed customers3 records
Segments6 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Waterloo Counseling Center technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Waterloo Counseling Center partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Three partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.
- Texas Health ActionflagshipWaterloo Counseling Center became a program of Texas Health Action in 2020. Texas Health Action is a community informed 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to providing access to culturally affirming, quality health services in a safe and supportive environment with expertise in serving LGBTQIA+ people and people impacted by HIV since 2015.
- Kind CliniccorePositive Connections: HIV Support Group is led by Kind Clinic. Waterloo coordinates care and referrals with Texas Health Action programs including Kind Clinic. Kind Clinic is part of the Texas Health Action network.
- Crime Victims Compensation ProgramminorWaterloo works with the Crime Victims Compensation Program administered by the Texas Attorney General, which may cover therapy costs for eligible crime victims.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Waterloo Counseling Center competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Modern Health: Global mental health platform offering therapy, coaching, and wellness to employer clients. Comparable as a virtual outpatient mental health service operating at significantly larger scale.
- Lyra Health: Large virtual mental health benefits platform serving employers with therapy and coaching. Comparable as a virtual outpatient mental health provider, though serving employer-sponsored populations broadly rather than LGBTQIA+ specifically.
Direct peers
- Included Health: Virtual care company offering LGBTQIA+ affirming care, including mental health support, primary care, and care navigation. Comparable as an LGBTQIA+ specialty virtual care provider with mental health as a core offering.
- Talkiatry: Virtual psychiatry platform accepting insurance across multiple states, with a growing focus on affirming care. Comparable as a virtual outpatient mental health practice serving similar patient demographics.
- Folx Health: Virtual-first LGBTQIA+-focused health platform offering hormone therapy, PrEP, and mental health services. Directly comparable as an affirming-care specialty provider with telehealth delivery and a similar LGBTQIA+ mental-health value proposition.
- Kind Clinic: Sister program under Texas Health Action providing LGBTQIA+ affirming sexual health and primary care, including PrEP and HIV treatment in Austin. Direct peer via shared parent, shared patient population (LGBTQIA+ and people living with HIV), and bidirectional referral pipeline.
- Q Care Plus: Telehealth platform providing affirming care for LGBTQIA+ patients, including PrEP, HIV care, and STI services. Comparable as a virtual specialty provider targeting the same LGBTQIA+ and HIV-positive patient segment.
Emerging players
- The Trevor Project: Nonprofit providing crisis intervention and mental health support specifically for LGBTQIA+ young people. Comparable in mission and target population (LGBTQIA+ mental health), though focused on youth crisis rather than adult outpatient therapy.
Regional players
- OutYouth Austin: Austin-based nonprofit serving LGBTQIA+ youth with support groups, resources, and mental health programming. Comparable as a regional LGBTQIA+ mental health community organization with overlapping Austin footprint.
- AIDS Services of Austin (Vivent Health): HIV/AIDS services organization providing medical care, case management, and support services for people living with HIV, with operations in Texas. Comparable as a regional HIV-focused community health provider overlapping with Waterloo's HIV-positive patient population.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Waterloo Counseling Center social profiles
Digital presenceWaterloo Counseling Center financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Waterloo Counseling Center leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles12 records
Waterloo Counseling Center funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Waterloo Counseling Center M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Waterloo Counseling Center
What does Waterloo Counseling Center do?
Waterloo Counseling Center is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit outpatient mental health counseling center founded in 1983 that provides affirming individual, couples/family, and group therapy specializing in LGBTQIA+ individuals and people living with HIV/AIDS. Services are delivered in-person at the South Austin office and via HIPAA-compliant telehealth statewide across Texas, with financial access supported through a sliding scale discount program (42%-98% off) and Ryan White grant assistance (58%-100% off) for eligible HIV-positive clients.
Is Waterloo Counseling Center a public or private company?
Waterloo Counseling Center is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Waterloo Counseling Center founded?
Waterloo Counseling Center was founded in 1983. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Waterloo Counseling Center based?
Waterloo Counseling Center is headquartered in Austin, United States, in the North America region.
How does Waterloo Counseling Center make money?
Five revenue lines are on record. Fee-for-Service Therapy is the primary driver. The others are insurance Billing, sliding Scale Discount Program, ryan White Grant Assistance and crime Victims Compensation.
Who are Waterloo Counseling Center's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Modern Health and Lyra Health. Direct peers are Included Health, Talkiatry, Folx Health, Kind Clinic and Q Care Plus. The Trevor Project is listed as an emerging player. Regional players are OutYouth Austin and AIDS Services of Austin (Vivent Health).
Does Waterloo Counseling Center have an API?
No public API is recorded for Waterloo Counseling Center.
What industry is Waterloo Counseling Center in?
Waterloo Counseling Center's product category is Mental Health Counseling Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HLAFABAC, Outpatient Mental Health & Counseling Clinics, with a secondary code of BPAGACAD, Mental Health & Crisis Support Services. Its NAICS code is 62133 and its SIC code is 8093.