Today we’d like to introduce you to Megan Garcia.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
Atascosa Counseling & Consultation Services (ACCS) was founded in 2022, but the story really began much earlier. I grew up right here in Pleasanton, and as a teenager, I was deeply impacted by my high school counselor, Mrs. Sandra Poth. During a formative and difficult time in my life, she showed me how powerful it can be to have one safe, trusted person who truly listens. Her kindness and steady support planted the seed for what would eventually become my career.
Years later, when I saw the property at 704 Bensdale Road listed for sale, I immediately felt drawn to it. The building had lived many lives over the years—as a church, a home, a special events venue, and even a boutique—and so many people in town held meaningful memories there. It felt like a place that had always been meant for connection and care. Adding to that sense of purpose, the property sits just a few houses away from Mrs. Poth’s former family home, which made the decision feel full-circle in a way I can’t quite put into words.
I had also heard for years, including from my own mother, how difficult it had been to find local counseling services in Pleasanton. Too often, people were forced to travel to San Antonio to get help. I wanted to change that. Opening ACCS was my way of giving back to the community that supported me during my own teen years and ensuring that others wouldn’t have to leave town to access quality mental health care.
I opened the practice in April of 2022 as the sole staff member. As demand quickly grew, I added Tabitha in 2024 to better serve our clients. Soon after, Amanda joined to help keep the office running smoothly behind the scenes. Since then, we’ve had several associate therapists complete their hours with us, and today, Chelsea is part of our clinical team, providing therapy services to the community. Taryn also joined to support evening hours and occasional Saturdays, helping us keep the office environment pleasant and peaceful.
Watching ACCS grow from a one-person practice into a supportive, collaborative team has been incredibly humbling. Every step has been guided by the same goal I had from the beginning: to create a place where people feel seen, supported, and cared for—right here in Pleasanton.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Graduate school prepares you to be a therapist—but it only somewhat prepares you to run a private practice. It’s certainly not a business degree. I’ve been fortunate that my mother’s side of the family is made up of entrepreneurs, so I grew up helping with my grandparents’ business and have a mother and an aunt I can lean on for guidance. Even with that support, there are moments when being the sole decision-maker feels heavy—especially now that staff members, clients, and the broader community rely on us to remain open, ethical, and consistent in the quality of care we provide.
This isn’t a business where you’re selling a product like candles or clothing—we’re helping people change their lives for the better. That carries an enormous responsibility. Protecting the mission and vision of ACCS while ensuring steady, thoughtful growth is work that never truly ends.
That challenge is even more real because our office building sits behind our home—we live on the property. There’s rarely a clear “off” switch. There have been moments when I’ve questioned whether it would have been easier to work in a clinic setting or stay in schools, where the mental load felt lighter and the hours were clearly defined. Over time, I’ve had to learn boundaries—something I’m still actively working on.
When things have felt especially hard and quitting crossed my mind, I always come back to the same realization: people count on us. As long as we are acting with integrity, doing our best, and leading with good intentions, the mission and vision of ACCS are being honored. And so, we keep going.
We’ve been impressed with Atascosa Counseling & Consultation Services (ACCS), 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?
Atascosa Counseling and Consultation Services (ACCS) is a group private practice located in the heart of Pleasanton, Texas (which is about 20-30 minutes south of San Antonio). We serve individuals, couples, and families and work with adolescents ages 12 and up, teens, adults, and couples who are looking for thoughtful, personalized mental health care.
We often describe our office as “hidden in plain sight.” While we’re right near the center of town, our location offers private parking and a discreet, peaceful environment—something that matters smaller communities where privacy can be a concern. Our goal from day one has been to create a space where people feel comfortable seeking help without fear of being judged or recognized.
We provide outpatient counseling using evidence-based approaches such as Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), and Positive Psychology. Our therapists work with common concerns like anxiety, depression, stress, life transitions, relationship challenges, and burnout—issues that affect people from all walks of life.
What we’re especially known for is our individualized approach. While our clinicians share a strong clinical foundation, each therapist also has their own specialties and strengths, allowing clients to find a great personal fit. I also specialize in ADHD assessment, treatment, and coaching, which has become an important and growing part of our practice.
We don’t believe therapy should feel cookie-cutter. From the first session forward, clients receive care that is tailored specifically to them—including customized goals, tools, and “homework” that actually fits their life.
What truly sets ACCS apart is the experience we provide—not just the therapy itself, but the environment, the attention to detail, and the way we care for people as whole human beings.
We’ve intentionally built a boutique-style practice focused on quality over quantity. Our therapy rooms are comfortable, private, and thoughtfully designed to feel more like a calm retreat than a clinical office. We offer a fully stocked coffee bar, small weekly client giveaways, and a welcoming atmosphere that helps people feel at ease the moment they walk in.
In a rural area where clinics are insurance-driven and high-volume, we’ve chosen a different path. While we accept select insurance plans and EAPs, we are increasingly focused on serving private-pay clients who want premium, highly individualized care—or who prefer to use superbills with their insurance. That shift allows us to spend more time with each client and provide a higher level of service.
Brand-wise, we’re most proud that ACCS has become a trusted, respected name for mental health care in our community. Most of our clients come to us through word of mouth, which tells us we’re doing something right.
We’re also proud that we’ve been able to bring a more modern, elevated view of therapy to a small-town setting. Our brand reflects professionalism, warmth, discretion, and quality—all while staying approachable and down-to-earth. We want people to feel that seeking therapy is not a sign of weakness, but a smart, proactive investment in themselves.
We want readers to know that therapy isn’t just for moments of crisis—it’s for growth, clarity, and learning how to live better. Many people are surprised by how much counseling can help with things like work stress, decision-making, boundaries, confidence, parenting, or relationship communication.
At ACCS, we’re here for people who want more than just “getting by.” We’re here for those who want to understand themselves better, improve their relationships, and create meaningful change in their lives.
Quality mental health care shouldn’t require a long drive. We’re proud to offer high-end, compassionate, evidence-based counseling right here in Atascosa County—and we’re excited to continue growing alongside the communities we serve.
Where we are in life is often partly because of others. Who/what else deserves credit for how your story turned out?
First and foremost, my husband, Jason, has been a constant source of encouragement. Even when he jokingly thinks my ideas are a little wild or ambitious, he has learned to trust my instincts and support me fully. That kind of steady belief—especially behind the scenes—has made a huge difference. His family, who live here in Pleasanton, have also been incredibly supportive and have always made ACCS feel like something the whole community is rooting for.
Sandra Poth, my former high school counselor, deserves special recognition. Long before ACCS existed, she showed me what compassionate, ethical, and truly caring support looks like.
I’m also deeply grateful to my former LPC Supervisor, Grace Friesenhahn-Soliz, who helped guide me during a critical stage of my professional development. Her mentorship helped shape not only the clinician I am today, but the kind of practice owner and leader I strive to be.
Our clients deserve immense credit as well—especially those who have trusted me for years, some since the very beginning. Allowing someone into your life during vulnerable moments is no small thing, and their trust is something I never take lightly.
Finally, the day-to-day operation of ACCS would simply not be possible without our team. Amanda truly does it all—serving as our scheduler, biller, gatekeeper, problem-solver, and my right hand. Her ability to keep everything running smoothly allows the rest of us to focus on providing quality care. Tabitha also plays a vital role in keeping the practice steady, grounded, and clinically strong. Their dedication and consistency are the backbone of this practice.
ACCS is what it is today because of the people who believed in it, supported it, and showed up along the way.
Pricing:
- Individual Counseling: $100+
- Couples Counseling: $125+
- ADHD Coaching: $175+
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.atascosacounselingservices.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/atascosa_counseling_srvcs/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AtascosaCCS
