- Attachment informed
- Skills focused
- Strengths based
About Austa
Austa Murray is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) with more than 22 years of clinical experience. She focuses on practical help for people dealing with stress, anxiety, depression, relationship strain, parenting concerns, trauma, and issues related to adoption and foster care. She aims to move at a pace that feels manageable and to build a connection so clients get the support they came for.
Murray keeps sessions compassionate and nonjudgmental. She listens first and helps people name what matters most. Sessions often include skill building, gentle problem solving, and talking through emotional patterns that get in the way of daily life.
She draws on attachment-informed ideas to help people understand relationship patterns and how early relationships shape present struggles. Cognitive behavioral techniques are used to identify unhelpful thoughts and try new ways of coping. Murray also uses client-centered principles to keep the work focused on each person's values and goals.
Her approach is grounded in strengths and development. That means looking at what already works and building on it, while also addressing past stress or trauma when needed. She blends listening, teaching, and practical tools so clients can try changes between sessions.
People who choose her often want a steady, experienced clinician who explains things plainly and helps make concrete plans. Murray aims to partner with each person to set realistic goals and track progress over time.
How therapeutic approaches shape online work
Austa uses attachment-based ideas to help people see how early relationship experiences affect current patterns. This approach focuses on connection, communication habits, and building more reliable emotional responses in relationships.She also uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, which looks at thoughts and behaviors that keep problems going. CBT helps people test unhelpful thoughts and try concrete behavior changes that reduce anxiety, depression, or relationship stress.
Finding the right approach is often part of the work. The therapist will talk with each person about goals, preferences, and what has or hasn't helped before, then try methods together to see what fits. This is a collaborative process that can change as needs evolve.
The biography does not list specific online session formats, so confirm the available options before booking. In general, online work can make it easier to fit sessions into a busy week, shorten check-ins when needed, and allow people to join from locations that reduce travel time. Therapists can guide skill practice between meetings and adapt exercises so they work well in remote sessions.
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Also works with
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
22+ years
Credentials
Illinois
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What kinds of concerns does she help with?
She works with stress, anxiety, depression, relationship and intimacy issues, parenting challenges, trauma and abuse, adoption and foster care related concerns, and other areas such as ADHD, grief, and caregiver stress.
How would you describe her therapeutic style?
Her style is compassionate, nonjudgmental, and educational. She focuses on listening, building connection, and teaching practical skills alongside insight work.
What is her professional background?
She is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with 22 years of experience in a range of mental health settings including individual and group work.
Where is she based and what are her credentials?
She practices in Illinois and holds the credential LCSW, listed as IL LCSW.
Can sessions be conducted in other languages or internationally?
Sessions are offered in English. She does not accept international clients at this time.
What session formats are available?
The original biography does not list specific session formats. Please confirm current session options before scheduling.
How are fees and payment handled?
Cost varies with location and therapist availability, and sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
How do I begin working with her?
Click the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and then schedule according to the therapist's availability.