Shakela Austin

About Me

My life experiences of being in a position to support others through difficult periods of their lives came from my upbringing and aligned with my values, leading me to focus my attention on self-development while naturally leading me to develop skills of empathy. This resulted in developing a better sense of self as it pertained to my needs, goals and areas that would benefit from refinement. I felt motivated to live my life self-actualized to the best of my ability through daily and ritualized self-care practices that helped me to maintain my emotional, mental, physical and all areas of wellness and I found so much purpose in being able to assist in sharing that with others.

I am distinguished by my focus, patience and commitment to creating a safe space where people feel seen, heard and appreciated for their outlook on life. I think more than one perspective is better than one, I am encouraged to look for healthier alternative options when it comes to processing experiences; therefore, the focus of the counselling style is centered on the individual, their needs, experiences, idiosyncrasies, culture, and their strengths that will assist them in cultivating their goals. I think we all have a uniqueness to ourselves, which is a power that we can impose upon ourselves.

Expertise

Psychodynamic therapy, Psychoanalysis, Cognitive behavioral therapy, Dialectical behavioral therapy, Acceptance and commitment therapy, Exposure therapy / Virtual reality therapy, Interpersonal therapy, Solution-focused brief therapy, Somatic experiencing therapy, Narrative therapy, Couples and family therapy, and Group therapy

Education

Masters of Arts in Counselling and Psychology

Age Groups

Teenagers, young adults, and adults

Availability

Waiting list