Today we’d like to introduce you to Karla Austin.
Karla, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I grew up in Irving, attended public schools and received a good education. I went to Lubbock Christian College and received a degree in education. Despite an invite to come teach in Irving and the honor of receiving “teacher the year” from my college, my heart was set on graduate school. I went to Abilene Christian University and obtained a 61-hour master’s in Marriage and Family Therapy. I met my husband there and worked a year with my major professor while applying to doctoral programs. As a child, I’d read a book Dibs In Seach of Self, and decided I wanted to be a psychologist. The dream never left. I attended the University of North Texas and received my PhD in Counseling Psychology in a 134-hour program. During that time, our three children we born. Our first child was severely handicapped and required 24-hour care.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Struggles have been there, especially balancing being a mother to all my children, but especially caring for our special needs son.
Sometimes, I worked only 5 hours a week. Many nights I stayed up all night to care for our son. My parents have been an amazing support all along. Early on, I worked at 5 different locations each week and spent lots of time on the road. The year of my doctoral internship, my youngest had just turned one and it was hard to be gone from home full time and leave my children. It was also hard to balance their care.
My husband and parents, friends and nurses all helped. Physical pain from sitting has been a thorn in my side for years and lots of medical procedures have been a part of the treatment. I still love my job.
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Austin Counseling Center story. Tell us more about the business.
I am a Licensed Psychologist in private practice. I’ve been practicing in Irving since 1988. I’m am strong in my faith and committed to strong values. I like people and treat them with respect, no matter their values. I love what I do and hope to continue a long time. Due to my background in education and marriage and family therapy, my experience teaching swimming lessons as a WSI in our family business S&A Swimming for a lifetime, and a rich background in backpacking, fly fishing and outdoor life, I relate well to people from 3 to 93.
Has luck played a meaningful role in your life and business?
I don’t believe in luck. I do think I’ve been richly blessed in many ways. Mostly, the people in my life including family, friends and the amazing nurses who became family over the years. God has poured blessing over my life in more ways than I can count.
Contact Info:
- Address: 1425 W Pioneer, Suite 153
Irving, Texas 75061 - Website: Www.Karla austin.com
- Phone: 972-986-0150
- Email: karlaaustinphd@gmail.com
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