(she/her)
I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with a deep commitment to supporting individuals through life’s most challenging moments. My clinical focus includes psycho-oncology, working closely with individuals and families affected by cancer, as well as those navigating anxiety, depression, and eating disorders. I bring a compassionate, strengths-based approach that honors each person’s unique story, resilience, and needs. In our work together, I strive to create a warm, nonjudgmental space where you can safely explore your thoughts and emotions, gain insight, and build meaningful coping strategies. Whether you're facing a new diagnosis, managing ongoing mental health concerns, or seeking healing from disordered eating, I’m here to walk alongside you with empathy, clinical expertise, and unwavering support. My therapeutic style is collaborative and person-centered — I believe that healing happens through connection, understanding, and a shared commitment to your growth and well-being.
In our first session, we’ll take time to get to know each other in a safe, supportive environment. I’ll ask questions to better understand your background, current concerns, and what brought you to therapy. We’ll also explore your goals, what you hope to gain from our work together, and any questions you may have about the process. This session is not about pressure or problem-solving right away — it’s about building trust, helping you feel heard, and beginning to create a space where you can be your authentic self. You’re welcome to share as much or as little as you feel comfortable. If you're feeling anxious or unsure, that’s completely normal — I’ll walk you through everything at a pace that feels right for you. By the end of our time together, we’ll have a clearer sense of how we can move forward and what ongoing support might look like for you.
My greatest strengths lie in my ability to create a compassionate, nonjudgmental space where clients feel genuinely seen and supported. I bring a calm, grounded presence to the therapeutic relationship, helping individuals feel safe enough to explore even the most difficult emotions or experiences. With a strong background in psycho-oncology, I understand the unique emotional needs of those facing serious illness, and I’m skilled at supporting clients and caregivers through grief, adjustment, and uncertainty. I also have extensive experience helping individuals manage anxiety, depression, and eating disorders — using a blend of evidence-based approaches and deep empathy to foster lasting change. Clients often share that they feel truly heard in our work together. I meet each person where they are, offering patience, perspective, and partnership in their healing journey.
I am best positioned to support clients navigating psycho-oncology concerns, eating disorders, anxiety, depression, and major life transitions. Many come in feeling overwhelmed, uncertain, or disconnected, especially when facing changes in identity, health, or relationships. They are often looking for both a place to process their experiences and tools to move forward with greater clarity. My style balances warmth with thoughtful, practical guidance. I aim to create a space that feels supportive and collaborative, while also helping clients build skills to manage emotions, cope with stress, and navigate challenges more effectively. I also work with individuals experiencing relationship difficulties, focusing on communication, boundaries, and deeper connection. I tend to work best with clients who are curious about themselves and open to growth, even if they feel hesitant or stuck. Therapy becomes a place to build insight, strengthen resilience, and develop patterns that feel more aligned, sustainable, and fulfilling over time.
Other specialties
I identify as
Cash - $150 per session
Aetna
Aetna - Allied Benefits
Aetna - ASR Health Benefits
Aetna - Luminare
Aetna - Moda
Aetna - WebTPA
Aetna – HealthEZ
All Savers
Amerihealth Administrators
Arlo
AvMed
Blue Shield
CalViva Health (Medi-Cal)
Carelon Behavioral Health (Commercial)
Centivo
Central California Alliance for Health (Medi-Cal)
Cigna
Cigna - HealthEZ
Community Health Plan of Imperial Valley (Medi-Cal)
EAP:Cigna
EAP:Evernorth
EAP:UnitedHealthcare/Optum
Evernorth
Gold Coast Health Plan (Medi-Cal)
Golden Rule
GTEB
Harvard Pilgrim/UnitedHealthcare
Health Net (Medi-Cal)
Health Plan of San Joaquin/Mountain Valley Health Plan – Medi-Cal
IHSS Healthy Workers
Kaiser Permanente
L.A. Care Covered
L.A. Care Covered Direct
L.A. Care Health Plan (Medi-Cal)
L.A. Care PASC-SEIU
NC State Health Plan
Optum
OptumHealth Complex Medical Conditions
Oscar
Oxford
Partnership HealthPlan of California (Medi-Cal)
San Francisco Health Plan (Medi-Cal)
Santa Clara Family Health Plan - Medi-Cal
Sharp Health Plan
Surest (formerly Bind)
Sutter Health Plan
Tufts Health/Cigna
United Medical Resources
UnitedHealthcare Life Insurance
UnitedHealthcare Shared Services
UnitedHealthcare StudentResources
UnitedHealthcare/Optum
Dialectical Behavior (DBT)
I have extensive experience using Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) with both adolescents and adults who struggle with emotional dysregulation, anxiety, depression, self-harming behaviors, and disordered eating. I have utilized DBT in both individual and group settings, supporting clients in building the four core skill areas: mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotion regulation, and interpersonal effectiveness. My DBT-informed approach integrates these skills into sessions in a practical and supportive way, helping clients better understand their emotional responses and build healthier coping strategies. I also emphasize applying DBT tools between sessions, encouraging real-world practice and ongoing reflection. Clients often find DBT empowering because it provides concrete, effective tools to navigate intense emotions, improve relationships, and regain a sense of control in their lives.
Acceptance and commitment (ACT)
I incorporate Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) into my work with clients who are managing anxiety, depression, chronic illness, and life transitions. ACT focuses on helping individuals accept difficult thoughts and feelings rather than avoiding them, while committing to actions that align with their values and long-term goals. Through ACT, I support clients in identifying what truly matters to them and learning how to navigate emotional discomfort with greater flexibility and self-compassion. This approach can be especially powerful for individuals facing health-related uncertainty, identity shifts, or inner criticism. By integrating mindfulness, values clarification, and cognitive defusion techniques, I help clients build resilience, increase psychological flexibility, and live with more purpose — even in the face of emotional pain or uncertainty.
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
I use Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to help clients identify and change unhelpful thought patterns and behaviors that contribute to anxiety, depression, and other emotional difficulties. CBT is a practical, goal-oriented approach that focuses on developing skills to challenge negative beliefs and build healthier coping strategies. In my practice, I guide clients through the process of recognizing automatic thoughts, understanding the connection between thoughts, feelings, and behaviors, and implementing actionable changes that improve their daily functioning and overall well-being. CBT is especially effective for clients seeking concrete tools to manage symptoms, gain clarity, and develop long-lasting mental health improvements.
5 ratings with written reviews
June 8, 2026
Austin is truly amazing! Therapy can be really intimidating for me, but she has such a warm and welcoming presence that makes it so much easier to open up. She always makes me feel heard and understood, and I really appreciate how thoughtful and insightful she is. She’s supportive, compassionate, and genuinely cares about her clients. I’m so grateful to be working with her and feel hopeful and excited for my continued growth throughout this journey!!
May 14, 2026
Good listener. It genuinely feels like she’s engaged and listening. She’s understanding but doesn’t jump to conclusions, she’s willing to ask questions and gain a deeper understanding which shows she cares and isn’t just going through the motions. She’s upbeat and very kind. Very intellectual
April 26, 2026
Austin is the type of therapist I've been looking for for years now, so I'm very optimistic for the near future and beyond. She's highly knowledgeable, prepared, communicative, and I can tell she's genuine about understanding what I'm going through so that we can work towards solutions that will be life-changing. I'm so so grateful to be here!