The Annex Mental Health

03/27/2026

The Annex Treats C-PTSD 🍃 Key characteristics of Complex Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder often include:
▪️ Difficulty with emotional regulation: Intense mood swings, chronic emptiness, suicidal ideation, or explosive anger.
▪️ Distorted self-perception: Feelings of shame, guilt, worthlessness, or a profound sense of being different from others.
▪️ Relationship difficulties: Trouble forming secure attachments, a tendency to repeat unhealthy relationship patterns, or extreme fear of abandonment.
▪️ Dissociation: Feeling detached from one’s body, thoughts, feelings, or the world around them; memory gaps.
▪️ Physical symptoms: Chronic pain, digestive issues, fatigue, and other stress-related physical ailments.
▪️ Loss of meaning and hope: A pervasive sense of hopelessness, despair, or a feeling that life has no purpose.
To learn more about C-PTSD, visit https://bit.ly/4t4G2VI or click Sprout 🔗 in bio

03/20/2026

Understanding REBT: The "Logic" of Emotional Health ---> Fearturing Miranda Hayes, M.S., LPC-Associate, NCC 🍃 Clinical Therapist
“One of the most empowering parts of REBT is helping clients realize that their thoughts are not facts. When people learn how to question rigid beliefs like ‘I must be perfect’ or ‘this should never happen,’ they often experience a greater sense of emotional freedom. Over time, this shift helps clients respond to challenges with more flexibility and self-compassion.” – Miranda
To read the full post, visit https://bit.ly/47eIuAx or click Sprout 🔗 in bio

'Understanding REBT: The "Logic" of Emotional Health' features The Annex Mental Health's Clinical Therapist Miranda Hayes, M.S...

03/13/2026

MEET OUR TEAM :: TAYLOR BARSTAD, LCSW :: OPERATIONS DIRECTOR
EDUCATION
Colorado State University [Master of Social Work, MSW], University of Montana [Bachelor of Social Work & Psychology, BSW]
CLINICAL SPECIALIZATION
As Director of Operations, Taylor combines her clinical insight with operational strategy to ensure the delivery of high-quality, client-centered care. She oversees the infrastructure and systems that support effective treatment, bringing a unique blend of logistical leadership and clinical understanding to her work. Taylor is passionate about creating environments where both clients and staff can thrive with a strong emphasis on collaboration, transparency, and integrity in care delivery. Taylor Barstad is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with specialized training in eating disorders, substance use disorders, OCD, and trauma. Taylor’s clinical foundation continues to inform her leadership as Director of Operations.
CERTIFICATIONS
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) Certified
To learn more about The Annex team, visit https://bit.ly/4lB9GOo

03/06/2026

We intentionally consider both environmental influences and biological or genetic factors when shaping each client’s care.
To learn more about The Annex philosophy, visit https://bit.ly/3OO0Lya or click Sprout 🔗 in bio

02/27/2026

PHILOSOPHY OF CARE 🍃 We believe treatment should be defined by a client’s growth, not a timeline. Our framework, The Core Ten, outlines the foundational competencies clients work to develop over time, recognizing that meaningful progress looks different for every individual. Our growth-based treatment model allows clients to build these capacities within a setting designed to support the complex and often chronic nature of mental health disorders.
To learn more, visit https://bit.ly/3OO0Lya or click Sprout 🔗 in bio

02/20/2026

We operate from a long-term, intensive clinical model designed to manage the emotional dysregulation, relational instability, and systemic chaos that often undermine treatment outcomes in traditional settings.

WHAT WE TREAT:
🍃 Complex PTSD
🍃 Borderline Personality Disorder
🍃 Other Personality Disorders
🍃 Chronic Emotional Dysregulation
🍃 Attachment Injuries & Relational Traumas
🍃 Co-Occurring Disorders
To learn more about what we treat at our Austin programs, visit https://bit.ly/4aEPd7M or click Sprout 🔗 in bio

02/13/2026

What's Special About The Annex? ... "We want to be the experts in one thing, and that's treating Personality Disorders and Complex Trauma." -Lauren Juvers, Director of Clinical Outreach
To learn more about The Annex, visit theannexmh.com or click Sprout 🔗 in bio

02/06/2026

We are thrilled to announce that The Annex is a proud sponsor of the & Austin Marathon events from February 14th to 18th! 🏃‍♀️ 🏃‍🏃‍♂️

Join us for an insightful morning as our very own Clinical Director, Jen Shotwell, takes the stage as a featured panel speaker.

The Details: 🗓 Monday, February 16 🕘 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM 📍 Release Recovery Austin | 2416 S Lamar Blvd

The Topic: 🎤 “From Crisis to Continuity: Cross-Program Best Practices for Acute Clients and Family Systems”

We’re honored to support the recovery community and dive deep into the best practices that help families move from crisis to long-term healing. To learn more, visit https://bit.ly/4r2Gh36

01/22/2026

Attending Pikes Peak Winter Symposium? Look out for Lauren!

Our Director of Clinical Outreach, Lauren Juvers, is officially in attendance. Whether you want to talk shop about C-PTSD and personality disorder support, or you need the recipe for a legendary pie party, she’s your person.

Find her in the crowd and say hello! ❄️✨
Learn more about Lauren and The Annex Team at https://bit.ly/4lB9GOo or click Sprout 🔗 in bio

01/16/2026

THE CORE 10 :: Mental health is more than just the absence of a struggle; it is the presence of a meaningful, stable, and connected life. At The Annex, we utilize The Core 10, a comprehensive framework designed to move clients from a state of survival to a state of emotional thriving.
Take a look at the ten pillars that guide an individual's journey toward lasting stability at https://bit.ly/4pGrcmk or click Sprout 🔗 in bio

At The Annex, we utilize The Core 10, a comprehensive framework designed to move clients from a state of survival to a state of emotional...

01/09/2026

MEET OUR TEAM :: JEN SHOTWELL, MS, MBA, LPC, LCDC, CS, EMDR TRAINER, NCC :: CLINICAL DIRECTOR
UNIVERSITIES + DEGREES .. Northcentral University [In Progress, Doctor of Philosophy in Psychology], Southern Methodist University [Master of Science in Counseling, MS], University of North Texas [Master of Business Administration, MBA], University of North Texas [Bachelor of Business Administration, Finance, BBA]
CLINICAL SPECIALIZATION .. Jen specializes in the treatment of personality disorders and substance use disorders, with an integrated focus on both the client and their family system. Her professional journey has included roles in transitional living programs, treatment centers, non-profits, and private practice. Drawing on both her lived experience and advanced training, Jen provides clinical therapy as well as consultation and education to families and professionals who feel stuck in the referral process or uncertain about how to engage complex cases. She is particularly recognized for her ability to break down complicated, overwhelming information into clear, practical, and usable strategies. Her dissertation research focuses on the causation and treatment of personality disorders, further deepening her expertise in this highly specialized area.
CERTIFICATIONS
▪️ Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC)
▪️ Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor (LCDC)
▪️ Licensed Clinical Supervisor (CS)
▪️ Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) Trainer
▪️ National Certified Counselor (NCC)

12/31/2025

Our team leads with curiosity, empathy, and evidence-based clinical approaches to create an environment where lasting change is possible.