A Helping Hand Right Here in Rockport
How a local counseling practice is showing up for our community — one person at a time
There's something special happening in Rockport, and it doesn't involve a festival or a fishing tournament. It's quieter than that; but it might actually matter more.
ACCESS, a local counseling practice, is quietly becoming one of the most important resources in Aransas County. And according to the people behind it, the need is bigger than most people realize.
Meeting People Where They Are
Mental health awareness month just wrapped up in May, but for ACCESS, the work doesn't stop when the calendar flips. The team is focused on building something lasting like support groups, referral partnerships, and outreach to people who might not know help is available.
One of the newest conversations they're having is about vaping. It's a real problem for local teens, and ACCESS is working on developing a support group specifically designed to help young people navigate addiction — whether it's their own or something they're living with at home. Details are still being finalized, so if you're interested in learning more, reach out to the ACCESS office directly.
ACCESS is also exploring a partnership with local courts to provide ongoing support for teens beyond a single appointment; helping young people stay connected to resources even after a court interaction ends.
New: A Support Group for Women in Menopause
ACCESS is also developing a menopause support group for women in the community. This is something that doesn't get talked about enough, and ACCESS wants to change that. Details are still coming together, but if this is something you or someone you know has been looking for, you can contact Dr. Nacole Predom-Love at the ACCESS office to learn more and stay in the loop as the group gets off the ground.
The People No One Is Checking On
One of the things that makes ACCESS stand out is that they're paying attention to the people who often get overlooked. Elderly residents. Families navigating complicated mental health diagnoses. People who don't have insurance, or can't afford to pay full price for help.
ACCESS uses a sliding scale fee, meaning people pay what they can, so that cost doesn't become a barrier to getting support.
A Community Built on Showing Up
The Rockport Pirate had a chance to hear directly from the ACCESS team about what drives this work. It comes down to something simple: this community has always taken care of its own. So if you or someone you know could use support, whether it's counseling, a listening ear, or just knowing that resources exist, ACCESS wants to hear from you. And if you're a teen and vaping, stress, or family stuff has you feeling stuck, you don't have to figure it out alone.
Contact Dr. Predom at (361) 247-0580 for more information on any of the programs mentioned above.
The Rockport Pirate will have more coverage of ACCESS and the mental health resources available in Aransas County in the coming weeks. Stay tuned.
