Cindy Austin

Cindy Austin has more than 20 years experience working with all walks of life and all ages and stages of relationships. From dating and just engaged to wanting to make a good marriage even better and also struggling with whether to stay or go, and ultimately, un-coupling with as much grace and dignity as possible.

It has been revealed over and over to her that there is a poverty of information on how to deliberately choose a partner, yet there are copious books, TV shows, songs, and movies sensationalizing the act and intensity of “falling in love”. With a divorce rate in the 50% range for first marriages, 67% for second marriages and 73% for third marriages, Cindy feels it’s time to approach this topic with much more knowledge, confidence, clarity and intentionality.

Even with all of her schoolin’, the fancy schmancy letters at the end of her name, countless workshops and seminars attended, books read, podcasts listened to, minutes in meditation, therapists visited, and tears shed, she found herself eye-to-eye with her own divorce, and two small kids in tow. Humbling to say the least!

She has not only walked the walk herself but she has been privileged to walk alongside many of her clients as they have faced their own heartaches and relationship disappointments. She aspires to now empower even more people to begin the process of deliberately and consciously choosing a significant relationship from the start rather than facing the painful consequences at the other end with a divorce or perhaps as roommates tolerating a lukewarm partnership for years and years or at least “until the kids leave home”!

Chemistry is important, but clearly there is so much more to the process! Let’s begin releasing the mindset of scarcity and fear and practice adopting the mindset of abundance and love–a much more empowered approach to choosing our lifelong partner! Let’s discover how to do this together in a safe and compassionate environment.

Experience working with Adolescents, Couples, Individuals, Families and Parents addressing the following:

ADHD, Addiction Recovery, Affair Recovery, Anger Management, Anxiety, Bipolar Disorders, Borderline Personality Disorder, Bullying, Career Development, Chronic Pain, Codependency, Confidence and Assertiveness with Kindness, Classroom Management, Co-parenting, Cutting, Depression, Domestic Violence, Divorce, Gay and Lesbian Issues, Girl on Girl Aggression, Grief and Loss, Marriage, Mindfulness, Panic Attacks, Resiliency, Relationships, Self-Image, Self Esteem, Suicidal Ideation, Teacher Training, and Traumatic Event Recovery (PTSD)

Experience:

22+ years as a private practitioner
2 years as the Program Director for Education Non-Profit—Breakthrough Central Texas
2 years as a consultant for the Breakthrough program
7 years as a secondary Spanish teacher
2 years as a Crisis Counselor in a 5A high school
1 year as a Middle School Counselor
6 months internship in domestic violence shelter
6 months internship in an MHMR crisis shelter
6 months working independently for CPS
6 months as a Counselor in the child and adolescent unit at
Integral Care (formerly MHMR)

MS, LPC, Professional Mediator, Certified Assistant Psychodramatist, Parental Alienation Study Group, ETT Practitioner: levels I, II, IV, and V, Trained in New Ways For Families® for High Conflict Couples/Families, Bilingual-Spanish Speaker and Workshop Presenter for: American Society for Group Psychotherapy and Psychodrama, Austin Community College, Austin Independent School-Murchison Middle School, Anderson High School, St. Matthew’s Church, St. Theresa’s School, GENaustin, Boys and Girls Club of America, AISD Region XIII, College Forward, Breakthrough Austin and Recovery Unplugged.

Certificates & Trainings:

Over 2,000+ hours in Psychodrama (Action-based group therapy)
Parental Alienation Reunification (Dr. Yvonne Parnell and Dr. Lynn Steinberg)
Emotionally Focused Therapy- Individuals, Couples and Families (Dr. Sue Johnson)
Neuro-linguistic Programming (NLP)
Transactional Analysis
CBT
DBT
Emotional Transformation Therapy (ETT)
Enneagram
Positive Psychology
Addiction/Recovery with Pia Mellody at The Meadow’s
Meditation and Mindfulness
Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT)
Dreambuilder Live with Mary Morrissey
Playing the Matrix with Mike Dooley
Safe Conversations with Harville Hendrix and Helen Hunt
Imago Therapy with Harville Hendrix and Helen Hunt
Big Impact University
New Ways for Families, Immunizing Parents from Becoming High-Conflict through divorce, separation and co-parenting

Education:

2023 – Parental Alienation Reunification Training
2022 – Psychopharmacology of Psychedelics-Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies
2021 – Emotional Focused Therapy Training (Individuals, Couples and Families) with Sue Johnson
2019 – Emotional Transformation Therapy training
2019 – Dream Builder LIVE
2019 – Enneagram (Personality test)
2018 – Big Impact University (Leadership & Speaking)
2015 – Certified in New Ways For Families®
2011-2013 – Emotional Transformation Therapy
1994-2006 – Westwood Psychodrama Training Institute
2001 – Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) Texas #17222
1999 – Masters of Science (Counseling & Development) Texas Woman’s University
1997 – Certified Professional Mediator
1991 – Bachelor of Science (Education) University of Texas at Austin

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“I valued how Cindy was so honest and used “real life” examples of her own failures and triumphs.”

“Not only was her presentation informative, she delivered it in such a way that kept me engaged and at this evening hour, that’s saying a lot!”

“Cindy’s presentation shifted my thinking about the impact of my job as a parent on my children’s life in a profound way.”

“She got us up and moving around and I loved connecting with other parents who are dealing with the same challenges that I am.”

“She is a master at getting the audience involved. My husband even said he’s glad he came!”

“Cindy gave just enough information laced with stories and humor that I could actually retain it, and I am walking out with specific tools to better prepare my kids to address some tough issues.”

“I was scared to even approach this subject with my kids and now after Cindy’s presentation, I know exactly what to say and when! She actually gave us a script to walk out with! Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!”

“I wish I had known this when my children were in elementary school, but it was great to hear that it’s never too late to start this conversation with your children!”

“I have to admit I was one of those parents that thought if we talked about sex too soon, it would give the kids ideas prematurely. After hearing Cindy, I am so glad I was brave enough to come and learn the facts about how important approaching this subject with my kids early on is for a lifetime of relationship health!”