Gilbert Lopez is a licensed clinical social worker for the TXST Counseling Center and also serves as the coordinator for Therapy Assistance Online (TAO). When he’s not enjoying late nights (and early mornings) with his 14-month-old son, you can find Gilbert outside enjoying the scenic views of the hill country or somewhere playing chess. Learn more about Therapy Assistance Online below!
Q: What is TAO and what types of resources does it house?
A: Therapy Assistance Online is a digital tool that houses mental health resources that people can use to support their mental health. It’s all self-paced and a lot of the content is organized into modules. Some of the categories you can find information on are anxiety, depression, and burnout. There’s also helpful information on topics like relationships, communication, and anger management.
One of the modules I really like is the mindfulness library. There’s several different mindfulness meditations you can do while you’re at the office or walking around. There’s even progress trackers and cool badges you can earn the more you participate.
Q: Who can use TAO? Any TXST employee? Or Just Students?
A: Anyone with a TXST NetID or email can use it! TAO originally started out as a tool geared for students but then it just kind of blossomed from there. And with the way the world has changed and the content library has expanded, it’s become a tool that provides relevant resources for everyone regardless of if they’re a student, faculty, or staff.
Q: What’s the best way to access/log in to TAO?
A: You can log into TAO by visiting the Counseling Center website and going to the ‘Self-Help & Resources’ tab. It’ll be the first item under that menu. You can register or log in using your TXST email address.
Q: Why is maintaining a Stigma-Free campus important? And how can TAO help combat stigma?
A: Maintaining a stigma free campus is important for awareness and education. Terms such as “anxiety” may sound general to some people. However, anxiety can appear as burnout, perfectionism, or procrastination. TAO can help provide real-world examples and content to target everyday mental health challenges. Maintaining a stigma free campus through TAO reduces barriers and increases access to mental health services 24/7.