Charles Austin, LCSW

Charles Austin is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with 35 years of experience. He is licensed in New Mexico and Texas and practices in Santa Fe. He has led outpatient and inpatient rehab programs and now offers care in private practice. He draws on long experience with addiction and recovery in his approach.

He helps people facing stress, anxiety, depression, trauma, and addictions. He also supports people navigating big life changes and clarifying their values. Sessions focus on talking through what feels overwhelming now and finding practical next steps.

His style is direct and grounded. He aims to build an open, nonjudgmental space where clients can say difficult things and work through them. He often combines listening with practical strategies so people leave with clear ideas to try between sessions.

Charles has specific experience with aging and geriatric issues, cancer-related concerns, and the long ripple effects of family of origin problems. He also works with men’s issues, feelings of isolation or emptiness, and problems tied to impulsivity and guilt or shame.

Clients who appreciate a therapist with rehab leadership experience may find his background useful. He draws on methods such as cognitive behavioral approaches, mindfulness, client-centered work, existential thinking, and EMDR when these fit a person’s needs.

To begin, readers should use the site Start Therapy button and complete the short matching questionnaire to schedule based on the therapist’s availability.

How therapeutic approaches guide online work

Client-centered therapy focuses on the person’s own goals and feelings. The therapist listens actively and follows the client’s lead to clarify what matters most and what to change. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, or CBT, looks at how thoughts and behaviors affect mood and teaches practical strategies to shift unhelpful patterns. It is often used for anxiety, depression, and stress. Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing, commonly called EMDR, is a method used to reduce distress tied to traumatic memories and can be paired with other approaches when appropriate.

Finding the right approach is part of the work together. The therapist will review options with the client and choose methods based on needs, goals, and personal preferences. That collaborative planning helps ensure sessions match what the person wants to accomplish.

The therapist’s biography does not list specific online session formats, so please confirm current options before booking. Online therapy can make it easier to fit sessions into a busy life by saving travel time, allowing shorter check-in meetings, or enabling people to meet from different locations. Licensed professionals can use a mix of conversation, skill practice, and guided exercises that translate well to remote sessions, helping clients apply tools between meetings.