Autism Psychiatry Fort Worth
Effective Autism Support includes Quality Psychiatry
Your child is more than an autism diagnosis. Behind every meltdown and sensory overwhelm is a child who deserves care that truly understands what they’re experiencing. That’s the standard we work toward in every evaluation.
Recognized by:
What Comes After You Suspect Autism?
Many clients come to us after getting evaluations and working with other specialists, often spending thousands of dollars. And for many, it hasn’t helped them form a complete picture. Families often feel like each specialist is addressing one piece of the puzzle while no one is stepping back to connect the full picture.
At Mindful, the goal is to step back and evaluate the full clinical picture rather than treating isolated symptoms in different settings. We offer psychiatry for autism and that means building a support plan for the anxiety, behavioral dysregulation, sleep, and gut health of your child. All focus is on the child and developing a clear evaluation that actually leads to effective treatment. Come to us for a thorough, unrushed appointment.
Getting Started with Mindful
Request an appointment
We respond quickly and can typically schedule you within 1-2 weeks, while many practices book 6-8 weeks out.
Talk to a real, live human
Our team personally reviews your child’s details to ensure we can help. You’ll know costs, what to expect, and how to use out-of-network benefits.
Meet directly with your psychiatrist
Your child receives a thorough psychiatric evaluation, then we discuss practical recommendations tailored to their needs.
Autism Care That Builds Long-Term Resilience
- ➤ We identify your child’s unique meltdown triggers
- ➤ Autism is managed alongside Anxiety, ADHD, and ODD in one coordinated plan.
- ➤ When medication is used, the goal is careful, conservative prescribing tailored to the child’s needs and adjusted over time as appropriate.
- ➤ Sleep, gut health, and nutrition are examined as part of your child’s overall health.
- ➤ You learn behavioral strategies that hold up at home, at school, and everywhere in between.
- ➤ A local physician who knows your community and stays involved over the long-term.
- ➤ As families develop effective strategies and symptoms become more manageable, appointments often become less frequent over time.
When medication is appropriate, the goal is thoughtful, conservative prescribing focused on the symptoms creating the greatest difficulty. All supported by real-life coping skills you can use outside of our sessions together.
How Autism Support from a Psychiatrist Actually Helps
Young Children (3-8)
- ➤ Prevent meltdowns and build emotional regulation
- ➤ Support sensory needs and restful sleep
- ➤ Whole child care for developmental differences
Tweens and Teens (9-17)
- ➤ Calm the anxiety and restore emotional balance
- ➤ Manage ADHD and OCD more easily
- ➤ Redirect difficult behaviors, build healthier patterns
Adults (18-65+)
- ➤ Address mood concerns to feel more stable
- ➤ Gut-informed treatment for added assurance
- ➤ Clear answers based on quality psychological assessment
How Our Psychiatrists Approach Autism Differently
Your child’s psychiatrist will look for co-occurring mental health issues, behavioral patterns, medication history, social skills, gut health, and what is actually driving the daily difficulty, all examined before any recommendation is made.
Behavioral therapy for children with ASD via physician-led interventions built around your child’s specific patterns. An effective plan is built upfront, and medications (if needed) are started at the lowest effective dose for the shortest amount of time.
Our team customizes gut health and micronutrients as needed because whole child health means addressing symptoms and causes. When the body is better supported, behavior, sleep, and emotional regulation tend to respond more consistently.
Psychiatrists Who Go Beyond Standard Autism Treatment
Justin Dyniewski, MD
Dr. Dyniewski has been part of the Mindful team since 2017. He has vast experience working with adults and young people who experience anxiety and have a family history of mental illness across Texas. His approach to anxiety treatment is thoughtful. He understands the full picture and is transparent with patients about his recommendations. His patients consistently value how clearly he explains the reasoning behind their care.
Training & Education
- Child, Adolescent & Adult Psychiatrist (MD)
- General Adult Psychiatry & Child Psychiatry: University of Arkansas
- Faculty: Texas Christian University (Clinical Assistant Professor)
Clinical Focus
- Adults: anxiety, ADHD, mood concerns
- Children/teens: attention and anxiety-related concerns
- Medication management with a “lowest effective dose” mindset
Amelia Villagomez, MD
Dr. Villagomez is an expert in integrative psychiatry. Her treatment plans go beyond medication. Her deep training at Yale and Harvard and a two-year fellowship in integrative medicine shape her unique approach to anxiety disorders. She covers biological, behavioral, nutritional, and lifestyle changes, along with targeted mindfulness interventions when clinically appropriate.
Training & Education
- Child, Adolescent & Adult Psychiatrist (MD)
- General Adult Psychiatry: Yale School of Medicine; Child Psychiatry: Harvard University
- 2-year Fellowship: Andrew Weil Center for Integrative Medicine (University of Arizona)
- Faculty: Texas Christian University (Clinical Assistant Professor)
Clinical Focus
- Integrative psychiatry
- Child/adolescent and adult psychiatry
- Mind-body skills and lifestyle-informed treatment planning
- Medication at the lowest effective dose when needed
David Marvin, MD
Dr. Marvin works with adults with anxiety-related concerns. His focus is on helping patients make sense of what is actually happening, simplifying the treatment plan as much as possible, and building toward long-term stability. He incorporates ACT (Acceptance and Commitment Therapy) when it fits the situation and approaches anxiety care as a collaborative process, straightforward and thoroughly guided by a psychiatrist.
Training & Education
- Board Certified Adult Psychiatrist
- General Adult Psychiatry: University of Arkansas
- Internship in Family Medicine: University of Tennessee
- Former Psychiatrist: U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (Fort Worth)
Clinical Focus
- Bipolar disorder
- PTSD
- ADHD
- Adult medication management and psychiatric care
Christopher Bone, DO
Dr. Bone provides high-quality telehealth psychiatry across Texas for adults who want an expert physician in their corner. His approach is direct in the best way: skip the noise, talk one-on-one, and build a treatment plan that goes beyond just managing symptoms of anxiety disorders. His clinical background spans inpatient, outpatient, and forensic settings, allowing him to treat a wide range of anxiety conditions while looking deeper than surface-level symptoms.
Training & Education
- Board-Eligible Adult Psychiatrist
- General Adult Psychiatry: JPS Health Network – Fort Worth
Clinical Focus
- Integrative telepsychiatry
- Comprehensive psychiatric evaluation
- Thoughtful medication management + whole-person planning
- Texas-wide virtual care
Jake Ryan Fields, MD
Dr. Fields helps people treat anxiety disorders with psychiatric precision. He listens carefully, reviews thoroughly, and builds a plan that is safe and clinically sustainable before making any recommendations. His additional training in sports psychiatry gives him a particular understanding of how performance pressure, chronic stress, and anxiety intersect in high-functioning adults.
Training & Education
- Board-Eligible Adult Psychiatrist
- General Adult Psychiatry: JPS Health Network – Fort Worth
- Additional training in Sports Psychiatry (International Society of Sports Psychiatry)
Clinical Focus
- Comprehensive psychiatric evaluation
- Evidence-based medication management
- Performance, stress, and mood-related concerns
- Performance, stress, and mood-related concerns
Brian J. Dixon, MD
Dr. Dixon built Mindful around a straightforward standard: psychiatric care should be physician-led, transparent, and accountable to the patient. He is direct about what is happening clinically, what it costs, what the options are, and what the plan is, so patients are never left guessing between appointments. He provides professional help for behavioral modification for children, teens, and adults, with a particular focus on how anxiety shows up across different age groups.
Training & Education
- Child, Adolescent & Adult Psychiatrist (MD)
- Triple Board Residency (Pediatrics/Psychiatry/Child Psychiatry): University of Kentucky
- Faculty: Texas A&M University (Affiliate Clinical Assistant Professor)
Clinical Focus
- Behavior modification (ASD, RAD, ODD, ADHD)
- Comprehensive care for Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD)
- PTSD and cultural psychiatry
- Business coaching and entrepreneurship
Justin Dyniewski, MD
Dr. Dyniewski has been part of the Mindful team since 2017. He has vast experience…
Read More
Amelia Villagomez, MD
Dr. Villagomez is an expert in integrative psychiatry. Her treatment plans go beyond…
Read More
David Marvin, MD
Dr. Marvin works with adults with anxiety-related concerns. His focus is on helping patients…
Read More
Christopher Bone, DO
Dr. Bone provides high-quality telehealth psychiatry across Texas for…
Read More
Jake Ryan Fields, MD
Dr. Fields helps people treat anxiety disorders with psychiatric precision. He listens…
Read More
Brian J. Dixon, MD
Dr. Dixon built Mindful around a straightforward standard: psychiatric care should be…
Read More
Experienced, Local, Community-Connected Autism Support by Our Psychiatrists
Mindful is powered by over 72,000 hours of psychiatric training across 6 states with 47+ years of combined private practice.
Founded by Brian J. Dixon, MD, the team includes psychiatrists with varied backgrounds and skills to better meet the needs of the population we support.
We’ve been consistently recognized for excellence by our physician peers as TopDocs in Fort Worth Magazine and 360West.
The best psychiatric care is local. It’s delivered by doctors who live in and invest in the same community you do.
- ➤ Local physicians who live and work in Texas
- ➤ Accessible scheduling (typically within one to two weeks)
- ➤ Over 47 years combined experience in private practice
- ➤ Transparent pricing from the beginning
- ➤ Direct support for out-of-network reimbursement
We have never centered insurance companies. Since 2014, we have centered our patients.
For those who want rushed or insurance-directed care, we are not the right fit.
If you’re looking for thoughtful, physician-led psychiatric care, we’re here to help.
Founded by Brian J Dixon, MD, our growing team of life-long learners include psychiatrists on faculty with Texas A&M College of Medicine, TCU Burnett School of Medicine, and University of Arizona.
Request A Psychiatry Appointment Today
Contact us using the form below.
We respond promptly during business hours
(Mon–Fri, 8am–5pm)
What Our Patients Are Saying
FAQs About Psychiatry for Autism Treatment
What does a psychiatrist actually do for a child with autism?
A psychiatrist addresses the medical and behavioral factors making daily life hardest, including anxiety, attention difficulties, anger management, emotional dysregulation, sleep disturbances, gut health, and mood concerns. With our psychiatrists, you get a holistic approach that helps manage autism better.
My child already has an autism diagnosis. Why would they need a psychiatrist?
Psychiatrists are trained to coordinate care across medical, developmental, and behavioral needs. They can bridge gaps in knowledge and treatments for everyone in the care team. That includes occupational therapists, speech therapists, pediatricians, and, of course, parents and caregivers. Our psychiatrists examine how sleep, nutrition, gut health concerns, anxiety, and behavior may interact, so treatment is more coordinated and individualized.
Will my child be put on medication at the first appointment?
A comprehensive evaluation comes first. Medication is used after a behavior plan and therapeutic strategy is created. If medications are indicated, we use them at the lowest effective dose for the shortest amount of time.
My child is already on multiple medications. Can you help review that?
Absolutely. Our experienced physicians perform a medication review as part of their psychiatric evaluation. Our goal is to simplify and identify what is warranted, what may not be needed, and build a customized and precise plan moving forward.
What co-occurring conditions do you treat alongside autism?
Anxiety disorders, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder, oppositional defiant disorder, mood instability, sleep disturbances, and depression. We offer dedicated support for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, using an individualized, patient-centered approach to care.
Will this actually help my child?
It depends on whether the right clinical factors get identified and addressed. A plan is built around your child’s specific circumstances after a detailed evaluation. We determine what is actually driving your child’s specific challenges and what treatment options to consider.
Can I afford this long-term?
The practice is built around front-loading the clinical support so your family needs less ongoing care over time. Pricing is transparent from the first conversation. We provide tools including Reimbursify to help recover a meaningful portion of fees through out-of-network benefits.
What does psychiatry for autism usually include?
Our Autism support services support children, teens, and adults dealing with mental health concerns including, mood disorders, relationship challenges, relationship issues, and other health conditions connected to autism. Treatment may include medication management, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), coping strategies, therapy services, parent training, and support with communication skills to improve eye contact and daily functioning. Our team includes psychiatrists with years of experience providing mental health care across Tarrant County, Texas, the nation, and even Canada. We also help families understand autism evaluations, insurance coverage, and how to better support their loved one.
Do you offer support beyond medication management?
Yes! Our clinic takes a full-person approach to mental health care that may include coordinating with Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapists, early intervention support, special education advocates, and guidance for caregivers navigating autism-related challenges. We focus on practical coping strategies, stronger communication skills, and personalized treatment planning that fits each person’s needs. If you are looking for health information or want to learn more about available therapy services in Tarrant County and Texas, our team can help.
Can I trust my psychiatrist with something this important?
Our skilled physicians have delivered over 72,000 hours of psychiatric care and have been recognized as TopDocs by Fort Worth Magazine every year since 2018. We never recommend anything without a complete evaluation and your full understanding and agreement.
Do you take insurance?
Since 2014, the practice has never accepted major insurance. No pressure to rush an evaluation that deserves real time, no incentive to limit the scope of care. We provide tools, including Reimbursify, to help recover fees through out-of-network benefits.
Psychiatry for Autism That Looks at the Whole Child. Not Just the Diagnosis.
Your child deserves real care built to manage autism and the accompanying behavior issues. That is the approach we work to provide every day. At Mindful, your child gets supportive care that increases resilience and independence, and lowers reliance on medication as much as possible.
