Charles Austin

Charles Austin is a licensed clinical social worker with 35 years of professional experience. He holds an LCSW credential and practices in New Mexico. His work focuses on helping people manage stress, anxiety, addictions, trauma, and depression.

He previously developed and directed outpatient and inpatient rehabilitation programs. That background informs his current private practice in Santa Fe and his work with people facing life-changing stressors. He draws on long experience supporting recovery and practical problem solving.

Sessions emphasize a straightforward, nonjudgmental atmosphere. He helps people talk through painful memories, patterns around substance use, and decisions tied to values and purpose. He encourages clear goals and steady steps toward change.

Charles uses a mix of approaches to fit each person’s needs. That can include client-centered methods that follow what a person brings, cognitive behavioral tools to shift unhelpful thoughts and behaviors, and EMDR for trauma-related distress. He also incorporates mindfulness and existential perspectives when those fit.

He often works with issues like codependency, guilt and shame, isolation, midlife transitions, and concerns related to aging or illness. Because he has personal experience in recovery, he aims to meet people with empathy and practical guidance.

To begin, people are asked to complete an intake questionnaire and then schedule sessions based on availability. Fees vary with location and the subscription used, and the subscription can be canceled at any time.

Approaches used in remote sessions and how they help

Client-centered therapy focuses on the person’s experience and priorities, giving space to talk and be heard while the therapist follows the client’s lead. This approach helps when someone needs to sort out feelings or make values-based choices. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, or CBT, looks at the link between thoughts, feelings, and behaviors and teaches practical techniques to shift unhelpful patterns; it can be useful for anxiety, depression, and managing stress. Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing, known as EMDR, is sometimes used to reduce the distress tied to traumatic memories and can be part of a trauma-focused plan.

Finding the right approach is often a process. The therapist will work collaboratively to identify which methods fit a person’s needs, goals, and preferences. That might mean trying different techniques and adjusting based on how the client responds.

Session delivery options are not listed in the biography, so confirm current formats before booking. In general, online therapy can make it easier to fit sessions into a busy schedule, allow shorter check-ins when needed, and avoid travel time. It can also let people choose whether to use video or other ways of connecting based on what feels most comfortable for them.