Dr. Karla Austin is a licensed Psychologist and a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in the state of Texas. She obtained her bachelors degree in Elementary Education from Lubbock Christian College, a masters degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from Abilene Christian University and her doctorate from the University of North Texas in Denton, Texas. Her doctorate is a Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology.

Dr. Austin began counseling in 1987 working with a variety of clientele. She saw many teens through the Juvenile Justice system in group homes and from chaotic home environments. She helped young girls deal with living away from home while facing puberty and social pressures. She also did contract work with Rape Crisis and juvenile probation. Her private practice began in 1989 and included a variety of marriage and family issues. While her location changed, her population always included couples, individuals, children, teens and families.

Upon completion of her doctoral coursework, Dr. Austin worked as a prison psychologist in the Federal Medical Center in Fort Worth, a men’s prison. There, she performed intake evaluations, did short term therapy with individuals, and group therapy all with inmates. She worked to help inmates deal with the trauma of their incarceration and the events leading up to it, and helped prepare them for successful life with their families upon their release. She also did staff training involving their work with the inmate population and their relationships with one another. Her internship at the prison was complemented with part-time work in the ICU at both Childrens’ Hospital and Parkland Hospital in Dallas, Texas. There, she worked with the patients, families, and staff trying to help them all deal with the devastation, grief and loss all around them.

Since 1998, Dr. Austin has been in private practice in the Dallas area. Her primary office location has been in Irving where her roots began. Dr. Austin enjoys helping people reach their potential, whether it is helping and individual set and reach goals or assisting a couple or family enjoy more meaningful and satisfying relationships.