Justine Hughes, MA, LMFT Associate
Supervised by Brittany Whallen, LPC-S, LMFT-S
I am a therapist who works with couples and individuals seeking to deepen their lives and relationships. Often, clients come to me when relationships have felt challenging, conflict-ridden, or lackluster. Maybe they have found themselves lost in a long-term partnership, and what used to be a source of joy is now stale, lifeless, or desperately lacking passion. Maybe they have suffered a loss-a family member, a job, an important part of their life. They might struggle to pinpoint exactly what is wrong, but they're curious about the underlying source of their pain.
In my work, I personalize treatment to uniquely support each client. My style is highly attachment-informed, meaning I actively attune to my clients' emotions in real time to create a sense of togetherness and understanding. I utilize a Psychodynamic and experiential approach to identify relational patterns, uncover unconscious processing, and explore past experiences to promote healthy communication and intimacy. I have worked with individuals, couples, and families to investigate their problems and identify the root cause of their issues so that we can remedy them as a team.
Together, we work toward self-expression, empowerment, fulfillment, and connection. Relationships can be one of the most challenging aspects of life to navigate for many reasons. I’m here to help you explore the places in your relationship that need tending to with gentle compassion and care. My goal as a relational therapist is to help you reconnect with yourself and your partner in the ways that make sense and feel good to you. I genuinely believe in my clients' capacity to grow, change, and make a significant impact in their lives.
Reaching out for help can feel incredibly vulnerable. I'm here to soften the experience by offering a loving place to share the scary stuff. If this resonates with you, I encourage you to reach out by clicking the link below.
Services: Couples Therapy, Marriage Counseling, + Individual Therapy
Session Format: In-person South Office + Online Counseling
Licensure: Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) Associate
Passions and Specialties: Couples Therapy, Complex Trauma, Life Transitions, Grief and Loss, Mind-Body Connection, Infidelity, Attachment Injury
Therapeutic Approach: Psychodynamic Couples Therapy, Gottman Method Couples Therapy, Internal Family Systems (IFS), Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), Satir's Human Growth Model
Professional Affiliations:
Austin Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AMFT)
Austin Community for Emotionally Focused Therapy
Chi Sigma Iota (Counseling Honor Society)
Education:
Master of Arts in Counseling - St. Edward’s University
How I became a therapist: While living in New York, prior to my education in counseling, I worked as a professional nanny to a mental health therapist. Through this experience, I was immersed in what I can only describe as a crash course in attachment theory. This experience shaped the way I saw people and their problems, as well as child rearing, and greatly informs my approach to therapy with my clients today. I became a therapist largely in part to my work as a caretaker, and more specifically, because of my relationship with my previous employer. Her gentle demeanor, guidance, and profound understanding of the importance of our experiences as children deeply impacted me.
Personal: In addition to my formal education, I am a certified yoga instructor and birth and postpartum doula. Although this extra education was definitely more of a special interest endeavor than a professional one, I do find myself utilizing the principles of these practices often. In my free time, I love playing volleyball, seeing new places, eating burgers, and hanging with my dog and lovely fiancé.
Fees: $150 per 50-minute session