About Therapy & Me

1006008367Pushing through and leaving the past in the past…

It just isn’t working out.

Anxiety, depression, and hopelessness still linger.

You’ve worked your ass off to get where you are today, but something’s still not right.

You’ve tried, but you can’t quite figure out how to get back to where you were before – when you were happy, confident, engaged, and ready for whatever life threw at you.

Coming to therapy can be a bit intimidating.

“Will this therapist actually be able to help?”

“Will we mesh well together?”

“Will I get something out of this?”

“Or am I just signing up for a very expensive friend?”

But coming into my office is much different than the movies. There’s a reason I named my practice “Fireside Chats.”

Here, therapy’s like sitting beside a fire with someone who deeply cares. When you have that connection, it’s easy to talk about anything. The warmth and comfort let you show up as you are.

There’s no need to put on a show or feel insecure.

1483265618Therapy isn’t all roses, though.

Just a heads up: Ninety percent (90%) of the work that happens will come from you… because this is YOUR life – not mine.

I can’t be the one to go home with you and make these changes for you.

I can be your guide through this journey.

Here’s what you need in a therapist…

I can’t tell you how many clients have told me, “Yeah, my last therapist was a really good listener, but that didn’t help.”

You don’t need someone who just listens. YOU need someone who actually tells you what to do next – someone who throws out different ideas for you to choose from. After all, you want to do what’s actually going to work!

You also don’t need a therapist who’s too rigid or uses only one therapeutic approach. You’re an educated person, and you know yourself well. You don’t need someone to teach you the basics. You want someone who can help steer you in the right direction.

When you work with me, we’ll approach this journey like a science experiment. I’ll throw out different ideas of things you can try, and you tell me what will stick.

You get to be the one in charge of your growth.

1420600823Let’s make this experience fun!

We’re going to laugh. A shit ton. Life isn’t always to be taken so seriously. People will be people, and it’s okay to laugh at yourself as you go through this process.

The changes you go through will be unique: two steps forward, one step back. You will implement different strategies to help you get out of this darkness to where you want to be.

I take an empathetically direct approach, so we won’t skate around the reality of your issues. There will be homework to do (don’t worry, not like the school kind), and there will be new practices you’ll have to test out in your personal life. Plus, there will be things you practice in session with me.

Think of therapy as a flight simulator: You can’t crash here, so let’s go all in!

You may be in the dark pits of your rock bottom…

But luckily, I’m down here with you. And I’ve got an entire tool bag full of things to help us climb out.

You don’t have to face the dark monsters of the depth alone. Plus, I’ve been here before. I know the way out. This doesn’t scare me.

So, bring everything to the table. You’ve got this. WE’VE got this.

Text, email, or fill out the contact form below to schedule your free 15-minute consultation. We’ll see if we’re a good fit and schedule your first face-to-face session.

I look forward to getting to know you and traveling this journey together!

u About Katrina Austin, MA, NCC, LPC

 

What I love most about this work…

While working as a therapist, I have sat across from some incredible individuals. I’ve watched them grow, fall back, suffer, and heal over the years. It’s remarkable to me that the breadth of the human experience can be so full of agony, joy, and indifference.

To be a part of their journey, sit with them through the pain, and hold space for all they bring in… it’s truly an honor. Not everyone is worthy of that kind of vulnerability, and I am forever grateful to those who have shown up raw and unfiltered.

Giving back to others is incredibly important to me. I want my life to have meaning, and working face-to-face with others in some of their darkest moments helps me achieve that goal.

I’m one of the lucky ones who gets paid to do what I love most: building relationships.

I always show up authentically.

I’m not some faceless shrink behind a clipboard. I’m just me, Katrina, sitting with you as you go through life.

I’m patient and educated… but not so educated that I think your experience should be predictable from some book (even though I’m constantly reading and learning to provide you with various options).

On my growth journey, I had to face many demons. So, I’m not afraid of whatever you may bring in. I’ve been in that dark pit of despair myself, even suicidal, and dug my way out. (Well, more like clawed my way out. It was f*ing difficult.) But because of this, I can help guide you and get you back into the light of life again.

You aren’t destined to stay here forever, and I think you know that. That’s why you’re here reading this.

Some of my education and experience…

My master’s degree is in clinical mental health counseling from Liberty University (though I am no longer religious), and I have a bachelor’s degree in psychology and ethics from Mid-America Christian University. I am a Licensed Professional Counselor in Colorado and a National Certified Counselor in the US.

In 2023 I started a podcast called The Therapy Alchemist. This is where I discuss different topics around mental health, growth, and change and bring on some very interesting guests to help teach you more about different topics. So, definitely go check it out!

Over the past several years, I have worked with people suffering from complex PTSD, anxiety, depression (tons of that), relationship issues, religious trauma, and women’s sexual issues. I’ve also done life coaching with first responders, military members, and their spouses, helping them navigate their unique experiences with trauma, stress, and reintegration into civilian life.

Img 8265Some super-dorky things about me you may like.

I’ve been to 48 countries and lived overseas for a few years. In Egypt, I got conned into getting into a car with someone who wasn’t who they said they were.

I’ve done 3 tandem skydives and cannot WAIT to do it solo!

Born and raised in Oklahoma, but I moved to Colorado on a whim (what can I say… I missed living near the mountains). I’m one of those who appreciates looking at the mountains, not summiting them.

Alright… enough about me.

Let’s schedule a call to see if we can be a good fit for each other. Just text, email, or input your information in the contact box below.

I can’t wait to hear from you!