Austin is a highly experienced Addiction Counsellor, with training in Couples Counselling, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Dialectical Behaviour Therapy, and Relapse Prevention. He worked for 15 years as a Counsellor in the Rutland Centre, which is a highly acclaimed Addiction Rehabilitation facility in Dublin. For most of his time there he was responsible for the Continuing Care programme, which supports clients and their families in the immediate aftermath of treatment.  In this work he gained a great insight into the damage that addictive behaviour is capable of inflicting, on not just the affected person, but also on the wider family, and the support that both require in order for them to take on the challenging but rewarding work of recovery. Over the years he has seen the devastation caused to partners, spouses, parents and adult children, by the problematic use of alcohol, drugs, gambling, and the compulsive use of sex and food, and has developed the awareness and understanding necessary to support them also, in rebuilding lives and relationships.

He stepped down from the position of Deputy Clinical Director of The Rutland Centre in 2014, and is currently established in private practice as a Counsellor and Clinical Supervison.

Austin believes with a passion that everyone who chooses recovery has the ability and inner resources to remain sober & abstinent. He is also aware that sometimes they lose their way and need encouragement and guidance to get back on track. His compassionate, non-judgemental approach helps to foster growth in self-esteem, self-worth & self-belief in clients who are struggling to find real peace in their recovery. He also believes strongly that, with help and support, families can find a better way of life, whether or not the person in their lives who is engaging in the problematic behaviour, finds long-term recovery.

A great part of the work that Austin does, focuses on that point of change where recovery becomes less about the substance or the behaviour and more about the growth of self-respect and self-esteem. It is about awareness and gratitude, and the realisation that the wonder and goodness of life is in kindness and thoughtfulness, and in responsibility towards self and others. When one is able to fill the space in one’s heart and in one’s soul with the beauty and truth of recovery, then the need to numb the pain of life with active addiction simply vanishes.