Hello, my name is Austa Murray and I'm a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with over 24 years of experience bringing knowledge from a broad range of mental health settings. My work has included individual therapy, group therapy and family therapy with the purpose of starting our work together where the client wants. My intention is to move at a pace comfortable to you and to build a connection, so that you can receive the support you're seeking. I have worked with a diverse group of clients who've faced a variety of concerns, including depression, anxiety, stress, career difficulties, parenting issues, relationship issues, sexual assault, emotional abuse, and other trauma. I have advanced training in working through an attachment and trauma based lens, as well as developmental expertise.
My style is compassionate, non-judgmental, educational and insight based. I see my role as providing you with my experience and knowledge in a supportive manner to help you navigate the challenges that led you to seek support. This often involves addressing your presenting concerns with a combination of understanding, listening, skill development, and psychological concepts based on establishing insight. My approach is strengths-based, trauma and developmentally informed, combining cognitive behavioral and solution-focused counseling styles. Together, we will create a plan to meet your individual needs. I look forward to working with you.
Additional areas of focus: LGBT, Relationship issues, Grief, Intimacy-related issues, Parenting issues, Anger management, Bipolar disorder, Coping with life changes, Coaching, Compassion fatigue, ADHD, Abandonment, Adoption and foster care, Attachment issues, Blended family issues, Caregiver issues and stress, Co-morbidity, Codependency, Commitment issues, Communication problems, Control issues, Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder (DMDD), Dissociation, Divorce and separation, Domestic violence, Emptiness, Family of origin issues, Family problems, Forgiveness, Guilt and shame, Impulsivity, Infidelity, Isolation / loneliness, Jealousy, Mood disorders, Narcissism, Obsessions, compulsions, and OCD, Panic disorder and panic attacks, Paranoia, Personality disorders, Phobias, Polyamory / non-monogamous relationships, Postpartum depression, Post-traumatic stress, Pregnancy and childbirth, Self-harm, Self-love, Sexual assault and abuse, Sexuality, Social anxiety and phobia, Trichotillomania, Women's issues, Young adult issues
Clinical approaches: Attachment-Based Therapy, Client-Centered Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Gottman Method, Narrative Therapy, Psychodynamic Therapy, Solution-Focused Therapy, Trauma-Focused Therapy
IL LCSW 149.010100
These quotes represent just a few of the many positive reviews that we have received for Austa Murray. We don't pay anyone to provide their review and they are all made voluntarily. Some people's experience receiving therapy with BetterHelp might be different.
I first began work with Austa nearly five years ago, as an effort to process difficult emotions brought on by the dysfunctional family system I grew up in. I was not capable of processing my childhood as traumatic.
Austa has an intuitive approach and a light touch. She correctly assessed that I have a bit of an independent learning streak and listened and asked questions instead of pushing ideas that I wasn't ready for.
A few years later, and it is hard to believe that I am the same person. I set boundaries with my family. I ask for things in relationships and communicate my feelings instead of bottling them up or icing people out. I break my big problems into smaller surmountable steps instead of getting too stressed out and doing nothing.
I have gone through heartache, burnout, growing pains over this time period. Austa has remained an empathetic listener and coach. And words cannot adequately express my gratitude.
Written on Oct 30, 2024 after therapy with Austa for 1 year and 11 months on issues concerning stress, anxiety, relationship issues, trauma and abuse, and adhd
None judgmental. Extensive knowledgeable in trauma and it’s effects on your daily life. Very insight and super intelligent.
Written on Mar 18, 2023 after therapy with Austa for 3 years and 6 months on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, relationship issues, trauma and abuse, bipolar disorder, and adhd
Each therapy sessions made me feel like I could breathe again, especially when there was a major issue or crisis taking place in my life or the life of my loved ones. I originally thought I was going to therapy for a certain set of issues but found that my world was opened wider, broader, into places that had me examining the quality of all my connections and how I viewed myself. My life feels richer and generative because of the work we are doing. That is all thanks to Austa. I am ever grateful to BetterHelp for connecting me to her and her life-changing work. I feel as though I will live longer as a direct result of the care I received.
Written on Dec 27, 2022 after therapy with Austa for 2 years and 5 months on issues concerning stress, anxiety, relationship issues, trauma and abuse, self esteem, and coaching
Austa has genuinely been the best therapist I could have ever asked for. I have had a very tough life that has left me with a lot of trauma. She has helped me in so many unique ways to pick up the pieces and make myself whole again. I am finally starting to learn who I am meant to be. I am very blessed to have such a supportive therapist, and I am fully happy with every aspect of this app.
Written on Sep 12, 2021 after therapy with Austa for 4 months on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, family conflicts, trauma and abuse, grief, intimacy-related issues, eating disorders, sleeping disorders, parenting issues, self esteem, anger management, career difficulties, coping with life changes, and compassion fatigue
Best counselor I have ever had
Written on Jul 23, 2020 after therapy with Austa for 1 year and 3 months on issues concerning stress, anxiety, relationship issues, trauma and abuse, intimacy-related issues, parenting issues, self esteem, coping with life changes, coaching, compassion fatigue, and adhd
I’ve been working with Austa for just a short time now, but it feels like forever. I love her input and reassurance. I’m so glad I joined better help and even more glad I have the pleasure to work with someone like Austa.
Written on Apr 28, 2020 after therapy with Austa for 2 weeks on issues concerning stress, anxiety, relationship issues, intimacy-related issues, and coaching