Meet Katrina Austin MA, NCC, LPC | Licensed Therapist and Podcast Host

We had the good fortune of connecting with Katrina Austin MA, NCC, LPC and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Katrina, how do you think about risk?
Growing up in the south, I was quite comfortable with comfort, consistency, and predictability. When I left Oklahoma and moved out of the state, then out of the country, I learned some valuable lessons about risk taking.

The first is that risks are always scary. To expect every risk to feel, in your gut or intuition, that it is the ‘right’ decision is faulty. When I started my private practice, there was not a single cell in my body that was comfortable or felt it was the ‘right path’. However, everything aligned to make this decision the obvious choice.

Second, the comfort about the risk kicks in AFTER you take the risk. There’s a type of euphoria for me that I experience once I’ve taken the plunge and gone all in. Whether that’s with my career, with my podcast (The Therapy Alchemist), or in love. Going all in helps the universe align everything to make sure that you will be successful.

Lastly, we all have a personal legend/calling. Our souls are constantly pulling towards it. When you take risks, that ensures that you will achieve your purpose because, as The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho says, “And when you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you to achieve it.” Keep chasing. Keep dreaming. It is ALWAYS worth it.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
Maybe podcasts, interviewing, and writing are not a form of ‘art’, however, for me they are the art of my soul. When I get the opportunity to share my soul’s desires, I find that I am so fulfilled. I learn so much about myself and take a strong risk by being vulnerable for everyone all over the world to hear. My podcast (The Therapy Alchemist) has now been downloaded in 8 different countries on 3 different continents.

What sets my art aside from others is that I fill in the gaps of mental health and talk about the magical process of change. Most podcasts focus on the science side of change and growth. However, my favorite part about the human experience and therapeutic journey is that magical side. The parts where a client enters my office with a new found ah-ha moment that seems to come about out of nowhere. They turn their own lead into gold. It’s quite beautiful and something I want to continue to honor.

I also find it important to share my own personal journey of growth. There has been a lot of talk about therapists not “doing the work” themselves. I’ve had many clients date therapists who say the same thing, which breaks my heart. My belief is that part of my personal legend is to help others through their darkness and the only way to successfully do it is to have gone there myself. If I am afraid of my own darkness and do not know how to escape it, how can I assist anyone else on their journey? It seems inauthentic to me and wildly detrimental to the therapeutic relationship.

Authenticity and integrity are crucial to my success and self-love. You will find that I’ve clawed my way up from the depths and have now had the life pleasure of getting to help pull others out as well. To be a mentor is one of the greatest honors I’ve ever been given.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
One of my favorite locations in Loveland (where I live) is #1 Axehole. Not only was I there very first customer (so I feel like a celebrity!) they also have a very relaxed environment with a very friendly owner, Dustin, who will make sure that you and your family have the best time. Don’t forget to ask about the ninja stars!

Follow that up with a dim lit dinner at Door 222. The chefs there are incredible and the food is always so wonderful.

And lastly, I love taking visitors into Estes Park, because, duh. The downtown is wonderful and full of adorable little shops surrounded by gorgeous scenery.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I want to give a lot of attention to a book that has transformed my relationship with myself, the world, and my career. It is the one book that inspired me to start my podcast (The Therapy Alchemist), which has turned out to be something that really pulls my soul to a wonderful place.

The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho is a fiction story about a young man’s journey to finding his personal legend (i.e., purpose/calling). The Alchemist is a character in the book who is able to be in tune with the world and transform lead into gold… He is full of wisdom and guidance from the universe.

When I think about my internal world, I have always felt a pull to something greater. Something full of magic and transformation. Just this morning I was crying to the universe about a struggle I was facing… yet again. Why do I have to continue to experience these things?? I took my dog on a walk and as soon as we stepped out of the door a bald eagle flew over. An omen, I thought. What an obvious omen. The universe will remind you with omens (i.e., signs) that you are on the right path. They tend to come in the moments when you are just about to give up. That is what happens to Santiago often in the book. The other times he had to lean into listening to the language of the world. We are all aligned and connected and the universe truly does conspire to give us what we want.

This book has led me down some wonderful paths in my career. As I lean more into the podcast side of my career, I’m finding beautiful connections with people I interview, getting the opportunity to speak on other podcasts, and I just know something wonderful is about to happen next. I can’t wait.

Website: www.firesidechatsllc.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thetherapyalchemist

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katrinamaustin/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@thetherapyalchemist

Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@thetherapyalchemist