Self Esteem Therapists in Austin, TX

Hi there! It's my goal in this therapy practice to help individuals experiencing depression and anxiety to regain groundedness and develop coping skills that will assist them in creating authentic, fulfilling lives on their own terms. I enjoy fostering a space that’s gender affirming and body positive, as well as sex positive and kink friendly/affirming. I also strive to provide a warm, supportive and judgment-free space that is culture affirming and trauma informed, with an understanding that you are the expert on your life.

I enjoy helping clients study their habitual patterns. Through repeated experiences we develop habits, but we don’t have to continue living that way. As we mindfully explore who we are, we give ourselves more freedom of choice about our habitual patterns and who we want to be. I have specialized experience in anxiety, depression, chronic pain, self-esteem, relationship issues, life transitions, and trauma.

You have worked hard your entire life to do everything right. In a lot of ways, you have succeeded. However, sometimes you can't stand yourself for having "issues." You worry that if others notice, they will see you as weak. So many successful, wonderful people have anxiety, fears, negative thoughts, self-doubt, depression, and feel like they are never enough. I want you to know that you do not have to feel like this forever.

Depression is often overwhelming. It drains us of our energy, makes the world seem bleak and hopeless, and removes the pleasure, joy, and meaning from life. When we are depressed simple things are difficult, like getting out of bed, going to work, or simply being with others. Depression erodes our self-esteem and we often end up disliking ourselves and others, and we just want to hide away. Often these symptoms of depression cause even more depression – our withdrawal into ourselves leads to performance difficulties at school and work, and it isolates us from the very people we love and who love us.

I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who is passionate about supporting individuals with disordered eating, body image issues, anxiety, depression, identity development, low self-esteem, and life transitions. I believe in the importance of relationships and creating a safe therapeutic environment that allows clients to be their authentic selves and utilize their unique strengths to drive the change process. I welcome people from all backgrounds, identities, and experiences with an open mind and humble curiosity to learn and understand. My style is compassionate and gentle but direct when needed.

Therapy provides the unique opportunity for you to adventure into and openly investigate your internal world. Emotional transformations can be akin to wading into the ocean or navigating a new trail in the forest. While these pursuits are exciting, they can also be intimidating, challenging, or frustrating at times. I view my role as your co-pilot; helping you to navigate what it is that brings you to therapy with the goal of unleashing your innate strengths and ability to overcome. I do so with a genuine curiosity and openness, integrating my training in mindfulness and Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapy.

Are you struggling with doubt and uncertainty, intrusive thoughts and negative thinking, or self-criticism and shame? Whatever it might be, I'm here to help. I treat adolescents and adults, and I have special interests in supporting individuals who are experiencing anxiety/depression, low self-esteem/negative body image, relationship distress/heartbreak, and relational trauma/attachment wounds. I particularly enjoy supporting college students and young adults who are navigating the transition to adulthood and the myriad of personal and professional challenges that can arise during that time.

Are you struggling with recent life transitions? Not sure how to break the cycle of yo-to dieting or how to manage frequent, anxious thoughts? At Autonomy Therapy, we provide high quality, evidence-based care to support our clients in learning how to strengthen their mind-body connection and become the most authentic, resilient versions of themselves. The therapy that our clinicians provide empowers our clients to develop increased trust with their own thoughts, emotions, and decisions, and supports them in identifying what an intentional, autonomous, and values-based life truly looks and feels like.

I am eager to support clients in embracing their true self. I enjoy working with clients with depression, anxiety, infertility, life transitions (i.e. graduating, becoming a new mom, etc.), self-esteem, and those in the perinatal period. I also enjoy working with clients in larger bodies and empowering them to be their most authentic self in a society that attaches health and worthiness to weight.

I am supervised by Michelle Zadrozny, LCSW-S. Are you feeling disconnected from your life purpose? Are you struggling with low self esteem , the impacts of trauma, challenging relationships, lack of motivation, or debilitating thoughts, fears, or emotional pain? As your therapist, I will be a gentle and supportive presence to guide you into deeper self knowledge and healing, so that you can thrive. My therapeutic approach is influenced by my perspective as a musician and creative person, and I utilize techniques such as cognitive behavioral therapy, motivational interviewing, meditation, mindfulness, art, and narrative therapy.

I utilize an integrated and holistic approach to therapy that is grounded in relational-cultural theory (RCT). I aim to understand and address the ways in which a client’s presenting concerns manifest in their mind, body, and spirit. I believe that clients come to me already holding the answers and guidance they are looking for and it is my role to help empower them to connect with their inner knowing. I encourage clients to increase mindfulness and emotional awareness to help them become an intentional creator of their experiences. I aim to help clients let go of shame and develop self-compassion.

People are naturally resilient with the right support. Therapy facilitates the healing process by helping you deeply understand yourself, with compassion, so your presenting concerns can be effectively addressed. My approach varies to fit the style and presenting issues of each client. Typically, I take a holistic approach combining in-depth traditional talk therapy with more recent, empirically-validated and present-focused approaches. I sometimes act as a life coach, helping clients change behaviors and discern choices that lead toward the lives they envision. My predominant focus is guiding deeper exploration that results in real inner transformation, personal fulfillment, and learning to love yourself.

I specialize in working with individuals who struggle with overwhelming feelings, rigid and or perfectionist control strategies, anxiety, relationship challenges, low self-esteem and a confused sense of self-identity. I focus on healing the impact of childhood and family relational trauma so that individuals can lead an authentic, connected and fulfilling life. I also work with couples who experience difficult transitions, communication breakdowns, trust and intimacy issues or feelings of isolation. I will help you learn to identify where you get stuck the most as a couple and replace the patterns and habits reinforcing the dynamic.

If you’re struggling with painful thoughts and feelings, struggling with relationships, or feeling stressed or overwhelmed… I’m not surprised! It can be really hard to be a human being, especially in the last few years. We all struggle sometimes. If you’re looking for support with these kinds of issues, you’ve come to the right place. I help adult individuals struggling with issues related to mood and emotions, low self-esteem, relationships, and other life stressors to find greater ease, wellbeing and fulfillment using research-supported approaches to therapy.