Female Therapists in Old West Austin, Austin, TX

We often put significant effort into changing our lives all on our own before reaching out for support. It's not easy to ask for help, so I want to thank you for entrusting me to walk alongside you in this journey. My goal is to create a space where you feel safe to be yourself as we work together to navigate your path towards healing. It's important for me that you know that you're not alone.

As a depth-centered psychotherapist, my mission is to help you better connect with the realest self that you are: one that has a profound ability to know exactly how to live a life of meaning and fulfillment. By slowing down and holding space for curiosity, we have an opportunity to disrupt beliefs that may be contributing to conflict in relationships, and stagnation in life goals. A large part of my research and experience is focused on helping adults with undiagnosed ADHD build a better-working structural foundation, helping to meet the anxiety that arises from the chaos of modern life with a sense of calm and confidence.

We all go through periods in our lives that challenge us. Perhaps you are going through a significant life change, like starting college or grad school, moving, grieving the loss of a loved one, or relationship changes. Perhaps you are in a period of intense emotions that overwhelm you. Perhaps you just want to get to know yourself better. As a therapist, I am here to help support you through these difficult times. I offer a warm, judgment-free space that allows for exploration, healing, and growth. My style is engaging, kind, and curious. I hope to make the process comfortable for you.

You're sick of feeling so overwhelmed and unfulfilled. Life is great on paper and by all accounts, you "should" be happy. But it's getting harder to cover up the feeling that your soul is dying. And that inner critic is so loud it's hard to hear much else. Going through the motions, marking things off your to-do list, but you’re not present. Tasks are means to an end: “If I can just get X, I’ll feel better.” But relief never comes. Maybe happiness lies somewhere in the future, but you can't tap into it now. You know you deserve joy and fulfillment. But how can you begin to trust yourself & start thriving, rather than just surviving?

Are you seeking therapy because you are feeling lost as you navigate adulting and big life transitions? Do you find yourself burdened by negative thoughts, anxiety, and self-doubt? Are you struggling to meet your academic, career, or personal goals due to difficulty managing your mental health? Do you find old habits, past traumas, or intrusive thoughts sneaking up again? You’re not alone. Many of my clients share that they experience these same challenges. So, now what?

Are you grieving the loss of something or someone you loved? Perhaps it was the traumatic loss of a person close to you or your health due to illness. Maybe you’re grieving the person you once knew who you’ve lost due to substances, dementia, or mental health. Grief is a difficult, exhausting, and often isolating process. You may feel like you don’t even know how to or want to move forward, or you may have thought you did and are only now realizing you could use some support to do that. You’re looking for a safe place to start on or move forward in your grief journey.

As a therapist with 25 years of experience and extensive training, I understand the complexities of suffering and the healing process. Professional peers have described me as "exceptionally attuned," "warmly down to earth" and "to the point." I offer a compassionate, accepting, and wise presence to the therapy relationship. Because this relationship is paramount to your therapy experience, I offer a free initial consultation so that we can meet. I believe that human beings have an amazing ability to gain insight and create change in their lives and am dedicated to this process for clients, myself and all beings.

Are you navigating a difficult life transition, struggling with depression and anxiety, experiencing grief over a significant loss? Do you sometimes experience overwhelming thoughts and emotions that seem to get in the way? Are you feeling disconnected within significant relationships? Do you wish to experience more joy and gain confidence in your ability to face the often-painful challenges that life as a human being can bring? Therapy can provide a quiet, collaborative space where you will gain insight, clarify your unique goals and values, and discover new ways to cope that foster healing yourself and your relationships.

Are you yet to find a therapist you feel comfortable with and can relate to? Has previous therapy “only scratched the surface” of the real reasons you are seeking help? You’re not alone. My clients often need a deep sense of connection in order to feel safe in their most vulnerable moments. Most of my clients are looking for a highly-trained psychologist who is not afraid to show her humanity nor bear witness to theirs. I aim to make you feel seen, understood, and safe as you work through difficult emotions and/or painful past experiences.

"Why is this so hard? We love each other, but we can't stop fighting." I understand the hopelessness of living in a cycle of conflict. I became a couples therapist because I believe deeply in the importance of having a supportive and loving relationship--with yourself and with your partner. I will help you learn how to stop when anger, fear and hurt cause you to react in defensive and aggressive ways toward your partner. By slowing down and taking care of yourself first, you will gradually learn how to connect from a more vulnerable and honest place, creating a more satisfying and peaceful relationship together.

Grief is something we all face in life, but each person experiences it differently. Sometimes it’s due to the death of a loved one. Other times, however, it’s due to the loss of your country, your health, your plans for a family, or another important pillar of your life. You may be finding that this feels much different than you expected it to—rather than just feeling sad, you feel angry, impatient, constantly on edge. You’re tired of people telling you “they know how you feel” (they don’t) or that you’re “so strong” (you don’t feel that way). Your world has been permanently changed, and you’re not sure how to move forward.

I believe in counseling through compassion, authenticity, dedication, and perspective. Together we can work to find health and balance in all facets of your life; where you can transcend from pain into empowerment. Whether you are in search of stress management, lifestyle changes, or looking for relief from a more serious issue, this service is designed to provide individual counseling services for adults.

Have you been feeling confused about some aspect of your identity, such as your gender or sexuality? Perhaps you know who you are, but you’re too scared to come out or present yourself externally in ways that match who you are internally. Everyone struggles with questions about their identity at some point in their lives, however, when we can’t seem to find the answer to these questions over a long period of time, or when we are too afraid to express our true selves, symptoms of depression and anxiety can occur.

It takes a great amount of courage to begin the process of improving your mental health. Whether you are in a rut, suffering from past trauma, recovering, or just seeking a change. I can help pave the path to wellness by supporting your ability to process both mental and emotion experiences. Together we can build a plan that will aid in personal development, encourage positive change, and broaden perspectives. I enjoy working with client from all cultures and backgrounds and will promote a safe atmosphere in which you know your voice is heard.

Deciding to take those initial first steps toward seeking help through psychotherapy can be challenging. Some initial concerns may include, "How will I know if the therapist is competent?" "What if they judge me?" "Will I feel comfortable telling them what I am really feeling and thinking?" These concerns are extremely common in trying to find the right therapist for you. The key phrase is "the right therapist for YOU..." Everyone is different with different needs. I encourage you to read about my experience and the services I provide in to see if I may be the right therapist for you.

I use a strength-based collaborative and active approach and believe in treating the whole person from a biopsychosocial perspective. I integrate research from various sources including: neuroscience and its impact on overall health, individual and relational functioning; the importance of authenticity, emotionality, resiliency and humor, and values identification across personal and professional contexts. Specific resources include: Psychobiological Approach to Couples Counseling, The Daring Way, and Contemplative Based Trauma Resiliency Training (The Portable Calm).

Dr. El-Behadli is a licensed clinical psychologist specializing in evidence-based, family-centered care. She works with children, adolescents, and young adults struggling with anxiety, OCD, depression, suicidality, self-harm, and chronic illness or pain. She also works directly with parents in support of their children with these conditions. Dr. El-Behadli is experienced in cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), and family- and parent-based treatments, such as Supportive Parenting for Anxious Childhood Emotions (SPACE).

If you're a woman on a path of personal healing and desire to heal the world, you came to the right place. You will benefit from sessions with me if you are: Going through the motions without a real purpose or direction... Feeling disconnected from your intuition and inner wisdom... Struggling to understand who you are and what you want out of life... Knowing that you are not living up to your full potential... Feeling that you are sabotaging your own progress...Struggling with confusion and uncertainty... Sensing that you are not living your life to the fullest...Needing guidance to find clarity, direction and purpose.

I am currently accepting clients in person at my Clarksville office and can see clients remotely all over Texas. As a human, sometimes we turn our pain into suffering, either by pushing away or being overtaken by our emotions and problems. Just like our physical bodies, our emotional selves need to be tended to and nurtured. Without maintenance, we can default to old ways of coping and make things worse. I work with you to discover new ways of coping, and understanding your experiences so you can feel more emotionally at ease and functional in your day-to-day life. Take a look at my website! www.mikatannenbaum.com