Who I Am Outside the Therapy Room
Hi, I’m Emily—a therapist who truly gets it. When I’m not working, you can usually find me sipping an overpriced iced latte, binge-watching reality TV, true crime shows, or Sex and the City (for the hundredth time), or curled up with my dog. I’m a sensitive, recovering people-pleaser who used to fear conflict and second-guess everything.
Therapy changed my relationship with anxiety and overthinking, and now I’m here to help you do the same.
About Emily Austin
A Few Of My Favorite Things
i help women manage Anxiety and OCD.
Therapy with me isn’t just about strategies or techniques—it’s about feeling seen, heard, and understood. I specialize in working with millennial and Gen Z women who are high-achievers on the outside but often feel consumed by overthinking, self-doubt, and anxiety on the inside.
I know how isolating it can feel when your mind won’t stop racing, when intrusive thoughts leave you questioning everything, or when you feel stuck in a loop of “what ifs.” I’ve been there. Therapy changed my life, and now I’m here to help you change yours.
Let’s work together to help you quiet the noise in your mind and start feeling like yourself again.
why i'm not your typical therapist
Therapy is deeply personal. You need someone who not only understands anxiety and OCD but also sees you as a whole person—someone who listens without judgment and helps you build the tools you need to thrive.
Here’s what you can expect when we work together:
• A Therapist Who Gets It: I’ve walked my own journey with anxiety and know firsthand how heavy it can feel.
Still have questions?
• A Safe, Judgment-Free Space: You can bring your messy emotions, intrusive thoughts, and fears here—I’ll meet you with empathy and understanding.
• An Evidence-Based Approach You Can Trust: We’ll use proven tools like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), but in a way that feels warm, collaborative, and tailored to your needs.
• Real Talk, Not Therapy-Speak: Therapy with me feels like a conversation. We’ll keep things relatable, down-to-earth, and focused on what works for you.
I Understand What’s Holding You Back
Before starting therapy, many of my clients share similar concerns:
• They worry that discussing their intrusive thoughts might make them more real.
• They feel like their struggles aren’t “bad enough” for therapy.
• They compare their pain to others’ and feel guilty for seeking help.
Let me tell you this: your struggles are valid. Therapy isn’t about proving you need it—it’s about creating the life you want, even if everything looks “fine” on the outside.
How We’ll Work Together
We’ll Tackle What Feels Most Overwhelming First: Whether it’s a constant loop of “what ifs,” intrusive thoughts about your identity or relationships, or the pressure to make perfect decisions, we’ll start where you need the most relief.
We’ll Cut Through the Noise in Your Mind: I’ll help you recognize which thoughts deserve your attention and which ones are just noise—so you can stop spiraling and start focusing on what matters.
We’ll Build Practical Tools You Can Actually Use: You don’t need a laundry list of strategies that feel impossible to implement. Instead, we’ll find approaches that fit your life and help you feel confident facing the hard stuff.
We’ll Work on Letting Go of the “Shoulds”: Life isn’t about checking every box perfectly. I’ll help you quiet the perfectionism, people-pleasing, and second-guessing that keep you stuck, so you can focus on what feels true to you.
We’ll Make Space for Your Wins: Even the smallest steps forward deserve to be celebrated. I’ll remind you to notice the progress you’re making—even on the days it feels like you’ve gone nowhere.
ready to get started? choose your location:
Therapy with me isn’t about sitting across from a clipboard and rattling off your struggles—it’s about having a real, honest conversation where you feel seen and understood. I’m here to help you navigate what feels impossible right now, whether it’s intrusive thoughts, endless overthinking, or the weight of trying to be everything for everyone.
I approach therapy like a partnership—one where you feel safe showing up as you are, messy thoughts and all. Together, we’ll work toward creating a life where anxiety and OCD don’t call the shots—you do.
i can't wait to meet you!
I’ve always been deeply in tune with my emotions. Even as a kid, I felt things intensely—I had a big heart, an endless curiosity about people’s feelings, and a natural pull toward caring for others (and every animal I could find). I’ve always been naturally empathetic, easily picking up on the emotions of those around me and wanting to help in any way I could. That sensitivity, while overwhelming at times, helped me see the world through a compassionate lens and fueled my desire to support people through their struggles.
Before becoming a therapist, I worked in foster care, advocating for children’s needs, and later with survivors of trauma at the District Attorney’s office. I saw how systems meant to protect and support people often fell short of addressing their emotional pain. That’s what drew me to therapy—because true healing doesn’t come from case plans or court outcomes; it comes from feeling seen, heard, and supported.
Now, as a therapist, I help people navigate their own emotional landscapes, giving them the support and tools they need to feel understood, empowered, and capable of real healing.
emily austin, LCSW
Licenses
• Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) (New Jersey) - 44SC06116600
• Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) (New York) - 093118
• Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) (Florida) - TPSW4421
education
Silberman School of Social Work at Hunter College - Class of 2017 (Masters in Social Work, Specialization in Clinical Practice with Individuals and Families)
Quinnipiac University - Class of 2013 (Bachelors in Sociology, Minor in Law)
Training
• Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT)
• Complicated Grief
• Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP)
• Inference-Based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (I-CBT)
• Collaborative Assessment and Management of Suicidality
• Rumination Focused Exposure and Response Prevention - Dr. Michael Greenberg
• Exposure and Response Prevention for Purely Obsessional OCD
Take the First Step Toward Feeling Like Yourself Again
I know how hard it can be to reach out for help—it might even feel like admitting defeat. But therapy isn’t about ‘fixing’ you. It’s about giving you the tools, support, and confidence to navigate life’s challenges and feel more in control.
When you’re ready—or as close to ready as you’ll ever feel—schedule your free consultation, and let’s take that first step together.
