Charles Austin, LCSW

Charles Austin is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with 35 years of experience. He holds an LCSW and practices in New Mexico. He moved from directing outpatient and inpatient rehab programs into private practice in Santa Fe. He helps people who are coping with stress and anxiety, as well as addictions, trauma, abuse, and depression. He also supports people facing major life changes and values questions. He draws on decades of front-line experience with substance use programs and recovery work. Sessions focus on creating a nonjudgmental space where thoughts and feelings can be talked through. He emphasizes honest conversation and practical steps people can try between meetings. His own recovery experience informs a supportive stance rather than a distant or purely academic approach. Charles uses several well-known methods to guide work, including client-centered listening, cognitive behavioral techniques, mindfulness practices, existential reflection, and eye movement desensitization and reprocessing. He and the client decide together which tools fit the situation. People who reach out can expect straightforward language and a focus on real-life goals. The emphasis is on coping strategies, clearer values, and manageable behavioral changes. Charles aims to help clients move toward greater satisfaction and more stable daily functioning.

Approaches that translate to online work

Client-centered therapy puts the person and their goals at the center of sessions, with the therapist listening closely and responding to what matters most to the client. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) focuses on identifying patterns of thought and behavior and trying small, practical changes to reduce distress. Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) addresses trauma-related memories through structured protocols that aim to lessen the intensity of upsetting memories.

Finding the right approach is part of the work together. The therapist will talk with the client about goals, preferences, and what feels most helpful, and then choose methods collaboratively. Adjustments are made over time based on what is helping and what is not.

Session formats are not specified in the biography, so confirm current options before booking. Many people find online sessions helpful because they make it easier to fit therapy into busy days, reduce travel time, and allow shorter check-ins when needed. Online work can also let clients try techniques such as mindfulness exercises, cognitive tools, or EMDR-related processing in a way that suits their schedule and daily responsibilities.