About Christine Austin
I am a nationally Registered and Board Certified Art Psychotherapist (ATR-BC) with the Art Therapy Credentials Board (ATCB – https://www.atcb.org). I am also a Licensed Creative Arts Therapist (LCAT) through the Board of Education in the state of New York and I am working towards achieving the Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC) license in California. I also maintain a membership with the American Art Therapy Association. I have 10 years of therapy experience in both private and organizational practice and I am currently affiliated with a northern California psychiatric hospital where I hold a supervisory role and provide integrated therapeutic services. I have worked with adults, adolescents, families, and children. I have a Master’s Degree in Art Therapy from New York University in New York City and a Bachelor in Fine Arts with a concentration in Photography and Digital Imaging from Ringling College of Art and Design in Sarasota, Florida.
My clinical experience consists of working with adults struggling with a variety of mental health challenges that include depression, anxiety, mood disorders, grief, substance abuse recovery, and life transitions. I have also worked with youth from various cultural backgrounds coping with trauma, anxiety, grief, depression, ADHD, domestic violence, substance abuse and immigration transition. Additionally, I worked in Africa with disabled children suffering from physical and mental disabilities. Most recently, I worked with the incarcerated adolescent population at Rikers Island jail in New York City and I currently work with adults in a forensic setting at the Department of State Hospitals in California. During my free time, I volunteer as a regional representative for the northern California chapter of American Art Therapy Association (NorCATA), I volunteer in Equine Therapy services, work in my private practice and enjoy time creating personal art, spending time with family and my pets, hiking, gardening, cooking, and entertaining.
In addition to being a seasoned clinician, I have had a successful career as a professional photographer and business owner for 15 years in New York City in combination with working administratively in galleries and museums. I have also worked as a teaching artist in the New York City school system.
I use an integrative approach in my work that includes traditional counseling, creative arts, trauma informed care, sensory therapy, humanistic psychology, positive psychology and mindfulness. I meet clients where they are and I am dedicated to being collaborative in the process of helping others overcome challenges and transition toward a better quality of life. I am interested in compassionately helping others feel a sense of worth, being seen and heard and accomplishing a sense of peace. I have an unwavering commitment to remaining present in the unique experience of each client which allows me to utilize a whole-person approach, that of valuing individual experiences of mind, body, and spirit while considering cultural values, relationships and historical experiences. I look forward to standing by you in your journey.
Christine Brooke Austin
ATR-BC License #16-033
LCAT (NYS) License #001990