Meet Jeanine Austin of Tempe, AZ and California

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jeanine Austin.

Hi Jeanine, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I have been a social worker since 1987. I have been licensed as a therapist, Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), in California since 1994. I earned a non-traditional PhD in Coaching in 2004. I have worked in many different types of settings such as hospitals, in community agencies and in private practice. I have worked with many populations: children, teens, adults, and the elderly. Currently, I am passionate about helping women with who have suffered from trauma, who are caregivers, who have neurodiversity, and who have anxiety. Many women I work with are in some kind of life transition. I attend yearly conferences at Oxford University and love my Oxford Mindfulness community in England. I have studied and utilize Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) in my work and personally. I enjoy learning and I am trained in many different therapeutic modalities. I am licensed to work with people in Arizona and California. I work virtually with women from CA and AZ.

My next venture, possibly 2026, will be to explore Shinrin-Yoku also known as Forest Therapy. There is so much evidence based science now on this practice with robust implications for the mind and body.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
As I grow and change, so do my interests. There have been highs and lows. As we all know, life is often like Chutes and Ladders (the board game). Some of personal and professional challenges have inspired me or even forced me, to learn often positive and life changing ways to adapt. At times, I have become frustrated with bureaucracy or a lack of willingness for agencies to provide what appears to be clearly indicated for an individual or population. Sometimes, compassion is missing from groups who claim to be predicated on compassion.

When I feel uninspired or lost, I go back to my personal mission statement which is to help alleviate suffering wherever and however I can.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I am sure there are other therapists out there who have been in the field as long as I have, but I don’t meet them very often. I feel the adage “Do what you love and you never will work a day in your life” applies to me. I truly love what I do. Despite being in the helping profession for nearly 4 decades, I sometimes feel I am just getting started.

I am proud of having been published, for creating programming and for my longevity in my career. I am proud of not giving up in the face of adversity and also trying to get the juice from the lemon!

What has been the most important lesson you’ve learned along your journey?
As originally inscribed at the Temple of Apollo at Delphi, I believe it is critical to “Know thyself”. I enjoy creating, learning about well-being based on science and engaging skillfully with others. I want people to know that they are not alone and that we are all interconnected.

Pricing:

• 150.00 / session
• Blue Cross Blue Shield
• United Health Care/UMR
• Aetna

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.CompassionCenteredTherapyforWomen.com
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@compassioncenteredintervie4799

Image Credits
None