Hi everyone,
I was recently interviewed by Tom McKeown of the Longevity Insider Group on integrative wellness. Please check out the article below and share it with anyone who may be interested in therapy.
In Austin’s fast-moving world of founders, creatives, and professionals chasing the next breakthrough, there’s a quieter revolution taking place—one centered not on achievement, but on awareness, connection, and emotional wholeness.
At the heart of that movement is Peter Craig, a therapist at Presence Wellness, who left behind a career in sales and marketing to pursue something deeper: helping people feel more connected to themselves and their relationships.
“I wanted a deeper intimacy with the people I talk to every day,” Peter shared in our recent interview. “Now I get to work with high achievers from all walks of life, from CEOs and doctors, to entrepreneurs and educators, who just want to feel more fulfilled in their relationships—and in their own skin.”
With eight years of clinical counseling under his belt, Peter’s practice is built on a rare blend of advanced psychotherapy training, couples work, sexuality counseling, and mindfulness-based embodiment practices. But at its core, what he offers is simple: a space to be fully seen—and supported.
Why Long-Term Growth Still Matters
Presence Wellness, located in Westlake, is more than just a therapy clinic. It’s an integrative wellness center committed to long-term personal growth. The approach is holistic, collaborative, and deeply attuned to the full spectrum of the human experience—mental, emotional, physical, sexual, and spiritual.
“Our goal is to help people deepen emotional awareness, strengthen relationships, explore their spirituality, and move toward a life of greater fulfillment,” Peter says.
Whether clients come in struggling with anxiety, grief, identity questions, sexual disconnection, or chronic relationship issues, the emphasis is the same: long-term, embodied transformation.
The Modern Man’s Silent Struggle
Peter specializes in working with men, a demographic that’s often underserved—and sometimes unsure—about seeking help. As he shared in his TED talk ‘The Lost Man’, he explains- “There’s this narrative that therapy is all heavy emotional labor, but it can be inspiring. Therapy helps people release unresolved emotional energy that’s been stored up from past experiences. It’s not just about rehashing the past—it’s about clearing space to move forward with more clarity and freedom.”
In a city full of high-achieving men, Peter offers a safe container for something often neglected: emotional honesty.
His work blends elements of traditional talk therapy with coaching, breathwork, and body-based practices. For men dealing with burnout, identity confusion, or the weight of silent expectations, it’s not just healing—it’s liberating.
Couples Work That Goes Beyond Communication
Peter is also a specialist in couples therapy, trained in leading models like PACT (Psychobiological Approach to Couple Therapy), and mentored for nearly a decade by Presence Wellness founder John Howard.
When asked what couples struggle with most, Peter says it often boils down to security. “We’re wired for both individuality and connection. But most people never learned how to protect the safety of their relationship—how to truly turn toward each other during conflict.”
From practical rituals like morning hugs to deep emotional skills like empathetic listening, Peter teaches couples how to move from reaction to reflection. “Being a therapist in the room with two people who are upset can be a lot of energy to hold—but helping them reconnect and notice each other more deeply, that’s where the real magic is.”
Treating the Whole Person
Presence Wellness, now a part of Ethos Wellness, offers far more than talk therapy. Founded with the vision of creating an integrative, collaborative treatment center, they joined the Ethos Wellness family in 2022—an exciting step that has allowed them to expand services. The clinic includes psychiatrists, psychologists, group therapy, and holistic wellness tools. Their integrative model emphasizes both mental health and physical vitality—reflecting a growing understanding that mind and body are inseparable.
Peter says clients often come in for a specific challenge—like anxiety, depression, sexuality issues, or relationship strain—but stay because they begin to see that therapy can be a path to self-discovery and joy.
“We’re not here to ‘fix’ people,” he says. “We’re here to support their wholeness.”
For the Skeptical or Unsure
For those considering therapy but hesitant to take the leap, Peter’s advice is straightforward: treat it as an experiment.
“Give it three months. Find someone you could like or trust. You don’t have to perform. You just show up—and see what opens from there. By exploring your inner world with a supportive other, most people gain emotional and relational skills and experience feeling lighter, more self-compassionate, and more grounded in who they are.”
A Message to the Austin Wellness Community
Peter is passionate about building bridges between therapy and other wellness modalities. “Biohacking, therapy, psychedelics, meditation—it’s all pointing to the same thing: helping people feel more alive, more integrated, more whole.”
And as Austin continues to innovate in the wellness and longevity space, Peter sees integrative therapy as a critical piece of the puzzle. “You can optimize your biology, but without emotional connection and clarity, it’s hard to thrive. Therapy is one path into the inner work that makes life more meaningful and satisfying.”
To connect with Peter Craig or learn more about Presence Wellness, visit presencewellness.co. Both in-person and telehealth sessions are available.
Read the article on their site here: https://longevityinsidersgroup.com/presence-wellness-austin/