Joseph Houchins, DNP

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Address

9600 North Mopac Expressway Suite 225 Austin, TX 78759

Phone

737-312-2194

Hours

• Monday: Closed
• Tuesday: Closed
• Wednesday: 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM
• Thursday: 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM
• Friday: 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM
• Saturday: 7:00 AM – 7:00 PM

Insurances Accepted

Aetna
AHCCCS
AmeriBen
Champ VA
Carelon
Cigna
ComPsych
Contigo Health
DMBA
Devoted Health
EMI Health
The Holman Group
Humana
Magellan Health
Medicare
Meritain Health
Optum
Tricare
TriWest CCN
United Healthcare
University Health Plans
Uprise Health

Joseph Houchins, DNP

Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner

(Reviews Coming Soon)

About Andrew Nichols, NP

Andrew Nichols, NP has over 10 years of healthcare experience spanning both military and civilian nursing. Born and raised in Houston, Texas, Andrew brings a sense of community to everything he does, and that same grounded, personal care carries into every patient interaction at Serenity.

Education and Background

Andrew earned his advanced practice degree from Texas State University and pursued specialized training in psychiatric mental health care. He served as a Lieutenant in the U.S. Navy, working as a Critical Care and En Route Care Nurse at Naval Hospital Okinawa and with the 3d Medical Battalion.
He joined Serenity drawn by the practice’s commitment to interventional treatments, including TMS and ketamine therapy, that go beyond conventional options to offer patients real, evidence-based paths forward.

Care Philosophy

Andrew approaches each session by staying present and grounded during even the most difficult moments. He meets every patient with understanding rather than judgment, and with care that is guided by clarity, honesty, and a genuine belief that treatment works best as a collaborative process.

What to Expect

In your first visit, Andrew will take time to understand what has been going on and what matters most to you before anything else. From there, you will build a plan together, one that feels manageable and effective. He listens closely and makes sure nothing important gets missed.

Personal Interests

When Andrew is not with patients, you will likely find him at the gym, reading a book, or practicing mindfulness. His greatest joy, though, is time with his kids, including volunteering at their school where he leads science experiments and happily takes on lunchtime duty.

About Joseph Houchins, DNP

Joseph R. Houchins, DNP, is a board-certified psychiatric nurse practitioner and Doctor of Nursing Practice at Serenity Mental Health Centers in Austin, TX. He completed his didactic and clinical training at Columbia University and holds advanced credentials as a clinical researcher and a Master of Arts in Psychology.

Prior to returning home to Austin, Dr. Houchins worked at an outpatient clinic in New York City where he worked extensively with interventional psychiatric treatments including ketamine and transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS). He also brings a strong background in psychiatric medication management and both individual and group psychotherapy, ensuring comprehensive care for patients facing depression, anxiety, PTSD, OCD, and other mental health conditions.

As a trusted psychiatric nurse practitioner in Austin, Dr. Houchins is dedicated to helping individuals navigate their mental health journeys with warmth and professionalism. He works collaboratively with each patient to identify strengths and tailor treatment plans that address their unique needs.

When he’s not working, Dr. Houchins enjoys reading, exploring the outdoors with his dog Winston, and spending quality time with his wife and baby son, Dean.