Approach to Therapy
Most of us desire a greater connection with and love for ourselves and others. However, our fears and habitual ways of being in the world often interfere. I help you uncover your true essence and wisdom that allows for greater connection and peace. We work together to quiet the internal chatter and overwhelming feelings through present-time awareness and careful pacing. We can then safely explore current stress and challenges, and as needed, past events and out-dated beliefs.
I gently guide you to slow down and become curious about what is happening not only in your thoughts and feelings but also in your body as you address current concerns. By listening attentively to your body's messages and connecting these to emotions, images and old beliefs, we track how you have learned to be in the world.
My Couple and Individual therapy is grounded in advances in interpersonal neurobiology, attachment theory (our sense of safety and security in relationships) and mindfulness. I continue to deepen my knowledge and expertise through ongoing couple therapy trainings, my daily accountability in my own marriage, and through my real time partnership with horses, whose very survival depends on their ability to be fully present in their bodies and with their environments.
Services
Couples Psychotherapy
My dynamic couples therapy is based in observing how partners can quickly drift in and out of true connection with one another emotionally, physically and energetically, often to the detriment of the security and safety of the relationship. We then encourage, enhance and support even the smallest attempt (“try”) at more authentic contact, building upon brief eye contact, a gesture to reach out or a softened tone of voice until the “dance” of the relationship returns.
Equine Assisted Therapy
Come experience the power of horses in learning healthy boundaries and leadership skills, enhancing self-awareness, gaining mastery over tough emotions, and healing old traumas and losses. We meet out at my small farm in northeast Ft Collins, away from the hectic pace of the city.
Individual Psychotherapy
You are uniquely you with all your gifts, challenges and hidden resources. My experiential, relationally based approach allows you to find your path to wholeness. Through safety in our relationship, you open up to greater self-kindness while uncovering new perspectives and solutions for your journey through anxiety, trauma, loss and tough medical conditions.
About Me
Dr. Austin is a licensed clinical psychologist in private practice with over 32 years clinical experience with 26 years in private practice. She received her doctoral training from the University of Denver’s Graduate School of Professional Psychology. Dr. Austin completed her internship at the Boston VA Medical Center’s National Center for PTSD in 1995.
Dr. Sharon P. Austin, Licensed Psychologist
My Training
- Level 3 practitioner in Psychobiological Approach To Couple Therapy™ (PACT)
- Certified Gestalt Equine Assisted Psychotherapist
- Level II Sensorimotor Psychotherapist
- Emotional Freedom Technique, Levels 1 & 2
- Energy Psychology Trainings Through ACEP
- Continual learning about Functional Medicine, brain health & "Food as Medicine"
Memberships
- American Psychological Association (APA)
- Division 38 Health Psychology
- International Lyme and Associated Diseases Society (ILADS)
- Association for Comprehensive Energy Psychology (ACEP)
- Colorado Tick-borne Disease Awareness Association (COTBDAA)
Couples Psychotherapy
What do you “see” in your partner?
Pause … notice…
Anger? Hurt? Love? Compassion?
What stories do you tell yourself?
“He/she doesn’t care about me?” “There’s no time for us!” “We always argue!”
Pause again …
Can you catch a glimpse of what it was like before these stories came into being, what drew you together originally?
Now imagine yourself opening to the realization there is more, much more, to each other. In this, rather than seeing only the negativity and conflict, disappointments and betrayal, there is the potential for a deeply rich, truly satisfying relationship with your partner.
We work directly with three important areas of knowledge embraced by a sense of curiosity for what arises in the present moment.
- Developmental Neuroscience: What do you know
about each other’s and your own nonverbal responses? What are the
underlying stories, often from childhood, that “speak” more loudly
from the body than in the actual words spoken between you?
- Attachment Style: How might your early
experiences be affecting your relationship with your partner? When
distressed do you go to each other or do you retreat? Can you both
operate out of mutuality and fairness or does it feel as if it is
from a position of self-preservation?
- Arousal Regulation: Are you quick to get excited, agitated and/or stressed or do things come on more slowly? How fast do each of you go into a “survival stress response” (fight, flight, freeze) and how quickly can each of you get out of it alone and together?
What to expect during your session
- Learning to notice and utilize moment by moment changes in each
other’s expressions, gestures, movements, and breathing. This
knowledge is crucial in changing your typical patterns of
conflict, experience more rest and rejuvenation and effectively be
more “in each other’s care.”
- Interventions aimed at relieving conflict in real time, in the
office, so together you each can learn to be more loving and less
threatening. When we do this in “real time” experientially, these
skills will then be more accessible outside of sessions.
What you gain
- Learn to become “the expert” on each other.
- Significant decrease in frequency and intensity of reactive interactions.
- An ability to attend to past and present hurts quickly and efficiently.
- Relief from addictions
- Solidly be each other’s pillar of support
- Improved health and well-being
- More play and healthy sexuality
- Higher levels of calm, creativity and connection
- Be a couple others love to be around
Equine Assisted Psychotherapy and Nature Therapy
This
is an experiential-based outdoor therapy co-facilitated with my
horses and sometimes a few sheep at my farm in Northeast Ft.
Collins. Being in the presence of the horses and in nature has a
profound effect on becoming more present in your physical body and
calming your busy, task-oriented mind. The horses provide additional
nonverbal encouragement and support in releasing difficult emotions,
sometimes by standing with you steadfast and non-judgmentally and
sometimes encouraging movement and play. Most of the work is done
unmounted and at liberty (no halters) with the horses. No prior
horse experience is necessary.
Many people are experiencing a profound disconnection from their innate rhythms and connection with nature. Coming out to my farm, being quiet in nature and with the animals, allows you to slow down, relearn to be and gain new perspectives on challenging situations.
Safety around horses is critical given they are large “flight” animals. We work together to maintain physical and emotional safety throughout the sessions, adjusting which horse you might work with and how depending on what occurs in the moment between you and the horses. Safety is also enhanced by consistent care of the horses’ physical and emotional needs during and outside of the sessions. The horses receive ongoing veterinary and farrier care, along with adequate exercise, socialization and free-feeding hay to best mimic their natural grazing tendencies. The horses are always given a choice as to whether to participate or not in the therapy sessions.
The Presence of Horses
Perfectly present in their majestic
stature,
Responding exquisitely to everything around them.
Echoing our tension and mood right back to us (to examine).
Surprising us with their accuracy.
Ever aware of energy and emotions
Noticing what we so often hide.
“Yes, welcome your authentic self”, say these majestic beings.
Empty yourself of falsities and masks.
Come, come into full connection and being.”
Individual Psychotherapy
I believe in a collaborative and multi-disciplinary approach
to psychotherapy and well-being. I help you become more
aware of factors in your lifestyle, environment and
mindset that disrupt your ability to feel steady through
life’s ups and downs. This not only includes
communication and emotional/stress management skills but
also trauma resolution and addressing physiological
factors such as diet, sleep, addictions, exercise and
illnesses. Unfortunately, we are in a time where multiple
factors are affecting our well-being, leading to more
distress in marriages and families and more chronic
medical conditions. No one treatment fixes these
ailments. I work to help you identify what factors may be
most affecting your well-being and which ones you can
realistically address, with the help of other healthcare
providers, so as to enhance your overall emotional,
physical and relational health.