Hi, I’m Austin.

Austin Portch, Licensed Mental Health Counselor

I’m a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) providing counseling services to teens and adults all throughout Washington state. I’ve been practicing in the mental health field in a variety of capacities for the past 8 years. I’m a proud graduate of Gonzaga University and now live in Spokane with my wife and son.

I’ve worked in a variety of roles in the mental health field, which has allowed me to work with clients from all different backgrounds and diagnoses. I got my start in the field working in community mental health, where I had the pleasure of working with underserved and high risk youth and adults in the Spokane community.

My face-to-face client work eventually led to me taking a position in leadership where I provided individual and group supervision to other mental health professionals. Following my work as a supervisor, I pursued experience training Motivational Interviewing to organizations and individuals, with the goal of exploring the ways our communication can foster connection and lasting change.

I now specialize in work with teens and adults struggling with anxiety, depression, burnout, and life transitions. I also have a real passion for working with men struggling with the things we can broadly describe as “men’s issues” in our society (e.g. dealing with the weight of responsibilities, struggling to communicate feelings, and battling the pressure to keep it all together).

I started Anchor Point Mental Health to support people with navigating all the tricky stuff life throws at us. Whether you're feeling anxious, overwhelmed, stuck, disconnected, or simply tired of carrying everything on your own, my goal is to help you slow down, make sense of what's going on, and explore new ways of moving forward.

Austin Portch, Washington State Licensed Mental Health Counselor

  • Washington State Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC)

  • MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Gonzaga University

  • National Board Certified Counselor

  • Membership of the Motivational Interviewing Network of Trainers (MINT)

  • Coded to proficiency in the Motivational Interviewing Competency Assessment (MICA)

  • Experience in Leadership & Supervision

Credentials & Background

Counseling

Why “Anchor Point”?

Where does the name Anchor Point come from?

The name Anchor Point reflects both where I come from and how I think about therapy. It's a nod to my upbringing in Anchorage, Alaska, while also representing what I've learned through my work as a therapist.

One of the things I've found to be most meaningful in therapy is helping people identify what truly matters to them. When we have a clear understanding of our values, we have something to return to when life feels uncertain, overwhelming, or off course. Our values become an anchor. They help us stay grounded while we navigate life's challenges.

Before we can decide where we want to go, it helps to know what we're standing on. When we're grounded in what matters most, we're better able to make choices that align with the kind of life we want to build, even when the path forward isn't perfectly clear.

That's what Anchor Point means to me. It's both a reflection of my own story and the foundation of how I approach therapy: helping people get grounded in what matters most so they can move toward a life that feels meaningful and authentic.

Specialties

  • men's counseling

    Men's Issues

    Many men grow up with the message that they should handle things on their own, push through, and keep moving. But carrying stress, frustration, self-doubt, or loneliness by yourself can take a toll. Therapy offers a space to be honest about what's going on and figure out how to move forward in a way that feels authentic to you.

  • stress counseling

    Stress/Burnout

    Stress and burnout can really take a toll. When life starts feeling like an endless list of responsibilities, it's easy to end up running on empty. Whether you're feeling overwhelmed by work, family demands, or just trying to keep up, therapy can help you slow down, regain perspective, and find a healthier, more sustainable way forward.

  • anxiety counseling

    Anxiety

    Anxiety can show up as constant worrying, overthinking, trouble relaxing, or feeling like your mind never shuts off. It’s almost as if your mind is full of noise and it can’t quiet down. Together, we'll work to understand what's driving the anxiety, develop practical tools to manage it, and help you feel more grounded in your day-to-day life.

  • depression counseling

    Depression

    Depression often looks different than people expect. It’s more than simply feeling sad or down about yourself. It can be feeling stuck, disconnected, exhausted, irritable, or simply not enjoying life the way you used to. Therapy can help make sense of what you're experiencing, reconnect with yourself, and begin taking steps toward feeling better.

  • relationship counseling

    Relationship Issues

    Relationships can be one of the most rewarding—and challenging—parts of life. Whether you're struggling with communication, recurring conflict, trust, boundaries, or feeling disconnected from the people who matter most, therapy can help you better understand relationship patterns and build stronger, healthier connections.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • I offer individual counseling sessions for teens and adults. Currently, I am only offering telehealth sessions.

  • If you're here, chances are something in life feels harder than it needs to right now and you’ve already had some thoughts about how you might want things to be different. If you’re wanting change and seeking support in that process, then therapy might be a helpful tool for you.

  • I love working with teens and adults experiencing anxiety, depression, stress with life transitions, and anything that falls under the umbrella of “men’s issues”, such as communication, emotions, and relationships.

  • Our first session centers on giving you space to explore your counseling goals and begin identifying the next steps forward. Think of it as a way for us to set the stage and get a feel for what our work together will look like.

  • I accept private pay and some insurances. My private pay rate is $180 per 50-55 minute session. Because every insurance plan is different, your co-pay will be determined by your insurance provider.

  • The duration of our work together depends on your unique needs and circumstances. Each session is between 45-55 minutes long. Some clients prefer short-term support while others prefer longer-term work. It’s all tailored to your needs and preferences.

  • You can fill out a message form on the “Contact” page, or email me directly at austin.portch@anchorpointwa.com to set up a 15-minute phone consultation.

Ready to Talk?

Send me a quick note, and we’ll set up a time to chat about what you’re searching for and if I might be a good fit for you.