Shawn Austin, Professional Counselor Associate
Independent Contractor Therapist
Philosophy and Approach:
Healing is a process; and the process of that journey takes its own unique path. As a Professional Counselor Associate, I use collaborative person-centered philosophy. Much like a hired nature guide, I can tell you about the terrain, and the weather. However, you are making the decision of where to explore, and what the desired goals will be. Together, we will find a therapeutic pace you are comfortable with. While exploring together, I’ll check in with you to ensure safety, provide feedback, and most importantly, ensure that I’m understanding your experience as accurately as I can.
I find Cultural humility and trauma informed practices are essential values. These values help guide me in collaborating with every person in their unique path towards growth and change. I’ve been working in the mental health field for about 20 years. My approach evolved to be a bit eclectic. Generally, I use my training/experience so that I can adapt and provide options. I wish to find an approach that works best for a person. I am comfortable using Narrative/Existential, Internal Family Systems, Emotions Focused Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, CBT, DBT, and ACT techniques to pursue treatment goals.
Primarily, I use a Gestalt theory lens to recognize patterns, conceptualize information, and to understand where a person is getting stuck. I aim to collaborate with people through a Person-Centered Therapy (PCT) approach where empathy, being genuine, and providing an unconditional positive regard promotes rapport.
I specialize in the following areas:
Strength Based Approach
Collaborative Problem Solving
Attachment (How childhood trauma affects present relationships)
Anxiety
Depression
Dual Diagnosis
(SPMI) Severe and Persistent Mental Illness
Grief and Loss
Life Transitions
Self Esteem
Men’s issues
My training is in:
Gestalt
Person-Centered Therapy
Motivational Interviewing
Narrative/Existential
(IFS) Internal Family Systems
(DBT) Dialectical Behavior Therapy
(ACT) Acceptance and Commitment Therapy.
I earned my Master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Portland State University. I am a Registered Associate Counselor, license #R2933. During my coursework, I specialized in Person-Centered Therapy, Trauma Recovery, Addiction, and mood disorders including Depression and Anxiety. I took additional courses on Motivational Interviewing during my Internship at the Northwest Regional Re-entry Center. NWRRC is an inpatient facility providing wrap around services to help people transition from the criminal justice system back into the community.
I have worked 15 years in residential facilities serving and learning from people who live with severe and persistent mental illness and often have a co-occurring dual diagnosis. Additionally, I have worked for five years with Oregon DHS as a (DSCS), Direct Support Crisis Specialist, working in the Stabilization and Crisis Unit. I worked with youth who have behavior challenges, intellectual, and developmental challenges. I received additional training in Collaborative Problem Solving (CPS). CPS philosophy envisions that the obstacle is not a lack of will, the obstacle is a lack of skill. CPS helps identify strengths and helps build lagging skills. These skills are core cognitive functions (Ex. Inhibition control, cognitive flexibility.)
Supervisor: David Kays, PsyD, License No. 3148
