Chantal Austin

I work with Black women, femmes, and non-binary people of color who are ready to heal from trauma and reclaim a sense of steadiness in their lives. Many of the people I support are navigating childhood trauma, sexual trauma, betrayal, medical trauma, or painful relationship patterns that continue to echo in the present.

You may find yourself replaying the past, questioning your safety, feeling like you have to be perfect, or carrying a quiet belief that “I should have known better.” Trauma does not just live in memory. It lives in the body. It can show up as anxiety, intrusive thoughts, emotional reactivity, numbness, or a constant sense of vigilance.

My approach balances deep compassion with clear accountability. I will hold space for your pain, and I will also support you in shifting the beliefs and patterns that keep you stuck. Therapy with me is active and intentional. It is not just about talking through what happened. It is about helping your brain and body move through what happened.

I am trained in EMDR therapy, a structured, body-based trauma treatment that helps the brain reprocess painful experiences so they no longer feel overwhelming or all-consuming. I often describe trauma as an unhealed wound. If something is stuck inside that wound, it cannot fully close. EMDR helps remove what is stuck so healing can happen in a more complete way.

We move slowly and intentionally. Safety and resourcing come first. Your nervous system sets the pace. My role is to guide, support, and help you build the tools needed to feel grounded throughout the process.

Clients often describe the shift as neutralizing. The memory remains, but it loses its charge. What once felt activating begins to feel integrated. There is more steadiness, more perspective, and more choice.

Healing does not mean forgetting. It means zooming out. It means recognizing that while trauma is part of your story, it is not the most important thing about you.

If you are ready to stop carrying it alone and begin moving toward steadiness, clarity, and self-trust, I would be honored to work with you.