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Hello
Beth Birdwell, LPCA
I believe the most therapeutic experiences involve a mix of straightforwardness, empathy and empowerment. If you’re seeking therapy, you need more than validation – that’s what friends are for. Therapy is for doing the hard work of processing, understanding and growth. I aim to be solution-focused; I will be curious, challenging and supportive. I like to use creative interventions to help you reach your goals. I am also very passionate about EMDR and if you'd like to explore this modality we can!
Areas of Experience
Areas of experience and interest for me include, but are not limited to, issues stemming from: ​
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Partner or childhood abuse
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Family of origin
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Grief (esp. after suicide loss)
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Trauma
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Anxiety
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Dissociative issues
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Addiction
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Depression
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Relationship issues
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Transitions​​
I also love working with those who have a spiritual practice and want to incorporate it into their therapy.
I blend many modalities including EMDR, trauma-informed, client-centered therapy, CBT, DBT, somatic, and mindfulness. Currently I see individuals 18 and older.
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Over my 50 years, I've experienced therapy as a client, working through my own family and relationship issues, as well as my own struggles with postpartum depression 25 years ago. I’ve also experienced my friends and family struggle with everything from addiction to homelessness to suicide. I personally understand the pain and confusion of mental health struggles, and I can help you navigate your own journey.
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Getting Started
​​Sessions with me will start with getting to know you and determining treatment goals based on the challenges you prioritize. The first few sessions are you filling me in on not just the issue that brought you to therapy, but allllll about you. I've had a lot of clients say they felt like they had TMI in the first several sessions! It's never TMI but I know it can feel like it. I also always like to learn about your attachment style, as the ways in which we relate to ourselves and others are informed by our attachments within our family of origin. If an acute, present issue is bringing you to therapy, we can of course start there - or wherever you need to.
I provide in-person sessions in Austin, or online anywhere in Texas.​
Education & Who I Work With
I received my Master of Arts in Counseling from St. Edward’s University in 2012, and immediately started work with adolescents in a residential treatment facility, doing group and individual work. I now work with individuals 16 and older, focusing on any number of issues, from life transitions to trauma.
When I'm Not at Work
​When I'm not at work I'm spending time with my husband (also a therapist), our two silly, large dogs, Nacho and Lola, or trying to fit in any number of hobbies!
I am very proud to have a grown daughter who also lives here in town, and love to catch up with her over dinner as often as possible.
I love working out, reading, hiking with my doggies, learning how to flip furniture, making malas, and caring for allll our plants so we can enjoy nature inside.
I've been trying to branch out in my cooking and baking (I don't love it but I like to be healthy and eat in).
I've called Austin home since 1985 when my family moved here from Houston.
I practice meditation (most of the time), I love crystals and my handmade tarot deck I got in Portland.
I always have the Harry Potter audiobooks on repeat.
Seinfeld is my favorite show of all time.
I used to be a zookeeper.
You'll never see me happier than when I have a chance encounter with ANY animal.
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I'm so happy you found me! If you'd like to do a free consult call or set an appointment, contact me here. Thank you!
EMDR Training with The Trauma Therapist Institute
Grief After Suicide: Transition Survivors from “Why?” to “What’s Next?”
How to Identify and Treat Dissociation (Even When It’s Subtle)
Trauma and Trauma-Informed Care: An Introductory Training Provided by DFPS
Suicide Bereavement and Complicated Grief