Welcoming in May: Austin Koester

Austin (He / Him) joins us from Saint Mary’s Master’s in Counseling and Psychological Services Program. He is working on becoming a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC). Austin received a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from St. John’s University. Currently, Austin works at St. David’s Center for Child and Family Development where he helps to facilitate positive interactions and promote the social development of his clients.

Austin was drawn to the helping profession through his personal experiences and a deep desire to understand emotional processes and healing. He has a passion for emotional healing that improves relationships and the overall quality of daily experiences for each individual and their family.

 Austin enjoys working with teens and adults from all walks of life who are experiencing low self-esteem, anxiety, low mood, substance use challenges, and trauma-related symptoms. His goal is to serve others and make a difference as he assists in navigating the life challenges clients may face and aid them in finding wholeness for themselves and in their relationships.

 Austin believes that therapy, in part, is taking time to learn “why do I feel the way I feel, and what can I do to change how I feel.”  He deems therapy a forward-looking process of what can be done now in order to be more effective in our lives and relationships. His commitment is to have a safe and trusting relationship without judgment and for you to feel heard, understood, and respected. He’s driven by making sure you’re okay, you got what you need, and you are growing into a better version of yourself. He incorporates several approaches to his person-centered counseling, including cognitive behavioral therapy, acceptance, commitment therapy, and solution-focused therapy.

 In his free time Austin enjoys playing music, reading, running, and spending time with family and friends.