What is Austin Young Therapy?

Austin Young Therapy is a telehealth-only private practice run by Austin Young, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW). The practice specializes in eating disorders (CBT-E), trauma, EMDR, and couples therapy — all conducted online via secure video sessions across California, Utah, Arizona, Colorado, Florida, Nevada, Idaho, and Wyoming.

Where are you licensed to practice?

Austin is currently licensed to practice in California, Utah, Arizona, Colorado, Florida, Nevada, Idaho, and Wyoming. Because this is a telehealth practice, what matters is where you're physically located during sessions — you must be in one of those eight states.

Do you accept insurance?

Austin Young Therapy is a fully cash-pay practice and doesn't bill insurance directly. Many clients with out-of-network benefits receive partial reimbursement using a superbill (a detailed receipt you submit to your insurer). This approach keeps treatment decisions between Austin and his clients — not shaped by insurance guidelines — and protects the privacy of your clinical records.

How is telehealth different from in-person therapy?

The therapeutic work is the same. Research consistently shows telehealth is as effective as in-person therapy for eating disorders, trauma, anxiety, and couples therapy. Sessions happen over a secure HIPAA-compliant video platform — no commute required, and many clients find they're more open and comfortable in their own space.

How do I get started with therapy?

The first step is a free 15-minute consultation. It's a low-pressure call where you describe what's going on, ask questions, and get a feel for whether Austin's approach is a good fit. If there's alignment, you'll schedule your first full session from there.

What is CBT-E and why does it matter for eating disorder treatment?

CBT-E (Enhanced Cognitive Behavioral Therapy) is the gold-standard, evidence-based treatment protocol developed specifically for eating disorders. Austin holds CBT-E certification, which requires specialized training beyond general therapy licensure. CBT-E has more research support than any other single approach to eating disorder treatment — it addresses not just eating behaviors but the underlying thoughts, feelings, and patterns that sustain them.

What is EMDR and how does it work?

EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is a structured trauma therapy recognized by the WHO, APA, and VA as among the most effective treatments for PTSD. During processing, you hold a traumatic memory in mind while following bilateral stimulation (typically a moving visual cue). This activates the same brain processes as REM sleep, allowing traumatic memories to be reprocessed so they lose their emotional charge and stop feeling present-tense.

How many EMDR sessions will I need?

For a single-incident trauma, meaningful resolution often happens in 6–12 sessions. Complex trauma with multiple layers — childhood abuse, repeated relational wounds — typically takes longer, often several months of consistent work. Austin will give you an honest timeline estimate after the consultation and initial assessment.

What approaches do you use for couples therapy?

Austin is trained in the Gottman Method and Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) — two of the most rigorously researched approaches to couples therapy. The Gottman Method focuses on communication, repair, and the friendship foundation of relationships. EFT focuses on the emotional bond between partners and the attachment needs driving conflict. Most couples work draws on both.

How much does therapy cost?

Individual sessions are typically $200–$250. Austin also offers package pricing for defined courses of treatment — eating disorder therapy, EMDR trauma therapy, and couples therapy — bundling sessions at a reduced per-session rate, ranging from $1,200 to $2,400. Many clients with out-of-network insurance benefits receive partial reimbursement via superbill.

Can I use a superbill to get reimbursed by my insurance?

If you have out-of-network benefits on your health insurance plan, you may be able to get partial reimbursement. Austin provides detailed superbills that you submit directly to your insurance company. To check your benefits, call the member services number on the back of your insurance card and ask about out-of-network mental health benefits and your deductible status.

Austin Young Therapy

Frequently Asked Questions

Real answers about telehealth therapy — no jargon, no runaround. If you don’t find what you’re looking for here, you’re always welcome to ask on the free consultation call.

About Austin Young Therapy Eating Disorder Treatment EMDR Therapy Couples Therapy Cost & Logistics Telehealth & Accessibility

About Austin Young Therapy

What is Austin Young Therapy?: Austin Young Therapy is a telehealth-only private practice run by Austin Young, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW). The practice specializes in eating disorders (CBT-E), trauma, EMDR, and couples therapy — and every approach used has a strong evidence base behind it. All sessions are conducted online, which means you can work with Austin from wherever you are in the state.
Where are you licensed to practice?: Austin is currently licensed to practice in California, Utah, Arizona, Colorado, Florida, Nevada, Idaho, and Wyoming. Because this is a telehealth practice, what matters is where you’re physically located during sessions — not where you live permanently. If you travel frequently across state lines, mention it during the consultation and Austin will make sure coverage isn’t an issue.
Do you accept insurance?: Austin Young Therapy is a fully cash-pay practice and doesn’t bill insurance directly. This is a deliberate choice — it means treatment decisions aren’t dictated by what insurance considers “medically necessary,” diagnoses don’t need to follow insurance company timelines, and your clinical information stays private. Many clients with out-of-network benefits receive partial reimbursement using a superbill, and Austin is happy to provide those upon request. You can read more about how cash-pay therapy works — and why many people find it worth it — in this guide.
How is telehealth different from in-person therapy?: The therapeutic work is the same. Research consistently shows that telehealth is as effective as in-person therapy for most concerns, including trauma, eating disorders, anxiety, and couples therapy. The difference is logistical — sessions happen over a secure video platform, you don’t commute anywhere, and you can be in your own space, which many people find makes them more comfortable and open. Austin has built his entire practice around telehealth delivery and has tailored every part of the experience to feel grounded and connected.
How do I get started?: The first step is a free 15-minute consultation — a low-pressure call where you can describe what’s going on, ask questions, and get a feel for whether Austin is the right fit. You don’t need to have everything figured out before you call; that’s what the conversation is for. If there is alignment, you’ll schedule your first full session from there.

Eating Disorder Treatment

What is CBT-E and why does it matter?: CBT-E stands for Enhanced Cognitive Behavioral Therapy — the gold-standard, evidence-based treatment protocol developed specifically for eating disorders. While many therapists treat eating disorders, CBT-E certification requires specialized training that relatively few clinicians hold. Austin is among a small percentage of therapists who are CBT-E certified, and it matters because CBT-E has more research support than any other single approach to eating disorder treatment — it addresses not just eating behaviors but the underlying thoughts, feelings, and patterns that sustain them. For more on what this approach involves, see this post on online eating disorder treatment.
What eating disorders do you treat?: Austin treats the full spectrum of eating disorders, including anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, binge eating disorder, avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID), and other specified feeding and eating disorders (OSFED). Treatment is also appropriate for people who don’t meet full diagnostic criteria but are struggling with disordered eating — chronic restriction, loss-of-control eating, or a difficult relationship with food and body image that’s affecting daily life. If you’re unsure whether what you’re experiencing qualifies, the consultation is exactly the right place to talk about it.
How long does eating disorder treatment take?: Treatment timelines vary depending on the person, the type of eating disorder, the severity and duration of symptoms, and whether any medical stabilization is happening alongside therapy. For bulimia nervosa and binge eating disorder treated with CBT-E, meaningful progress often occurs within 16–20 sessions. Anorexia recovery generally requires a longer commitment — often a year or more of consistent work. Austin will give you an honest picture of the likely timeline for your situation during the initial sessions.
Can I do eating disorder treatment fully online?: Yes — the research supports telehealth-delivered eating disorder treatment as equally effective to in-person treatment for most people. Austin has built his practice entirely around telehealth CBT-E delivery. For many clients, working from their home environment — where eating, cooking, and recovery actually happen — enhances treatment rather than limiting it. You can learn more about what online eating disorder treatment looks like in practice here.
Do I need a medical team alongside therapy?: That depends on the severity and nature of your eating disorder. For conditions involving significant medical risk — such as anorexia nervosa with low weight, or purging behaviors that affect electrolytes — coordination with a physician and possibly a registered dietitian is important for safety, and Austin will be direct with you if he believes that applies to your situation. For many clients, especially those who are medically stable, therapy can be the central piece of care. If a multidisciplinary team is recommended, Austin can help you think through how to find the right providers and what that coordination looks like.

EMDR Therapy

What is EMDR and how does it work?: EMDR stands for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing. It’s a structured trauma therapy recognized by the World Health Organization, the American Psychological Association, and the Department of Veterans Affairs as one of the most effective treatments for PTSD. The core mechanism is bilateral stimulation — while holding a specific memory in mind, you follow a moving visual cue (or tapping) that alternates left and right. The leading theory is that this activates the same brain processes that occur during REM sleep, allowing traumatic memories to be reprocessed so they lose their emotional charge and stop feeling present-tense. You can read a thorough guide to how EMDR works here.
What conditions does EMDR treat?: EMDR was originally developed for PTSD following discrete traumatic events — accidents, assaults, combat, medical trauma — and it remains one of the most effective treatments for them. It’s also highly effective for complex trauma, childhood abuse and neglect, anxiety and panic rooted in specific past experiences, phobias, grief, and what might be called “small-t trauma” — the accumulated experiences that didn’t feel dramatic at the time but shaped your beliefs about yourself and the world. If you’ve done talk therapy and understand your history intellectually but it still lives in your body, EMDR often moves what insight alone can’t reach.
How many EMDR sessions will I need?: The number depends on what you’re bringing in. For a single-incident trauma — an accident, a specific event, a medical procedure — in someone without other complicating factors, meaningful resolution often happens in 6–12 sessions. Complex trauma with multiple layers — childhood experiences, repeated relational wounds, trauma that has become woven into your sense of self — typically takes longer, often several months of consistent work. Austin will give you an honest timeline estimate after the consultation and initial assessment.
Is EMDR safe to do over video?: Yes. EMDR can be effectively delivered via telehealth, and Austin uses visual bilateral stimulation tools specifically designed for video sessions. Research on telehealth EMDR supports its equivalence to in-person delivery for most clients. The preparation phase — building your internal resources, grounding skills, and felt sense of safety — is thorough for all clients, and especially so for telehealth. The goal is to make sure you feel stable and supported throughout, not caught off-guard.
What does an EMDR session feel like?: Most clients describe EMDR as more active and directive than regular talk therapy, but not overwhelming. You won’t be asked to recount your trauma in detail — the focus is on what you notice in your body and what arises as you hold a memory while doing bilateral stimulation. Sessions close with grounding and containment work so you’re not walking out still in the middle of something. Some people feel tired afterward; others feel lighter or relieved. Many clients who were most apprehensive beforehand find the experience far more manageable than they expected.

Couples Therapy

What approaches do you use for couples therapy?: Austin is trained in two of the most rigorously researched approaches to couples therapy: the Gottman Method and Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT). The Gottman Method draws on decades of research into what distinguishes stable, fulfilling relationships from those that erode — and translates that into practical skills: how to have conflict without damage, how to build fondness and admiration, how to repair after a rupture. EFT focuses on the emotional bond between partners and the deeper attachment needs driving recurring conflict. Most of Austin’s couples work draws on both approaches. You can learn more about the Gottman Method and EFT for couples in these posts.
Do both partners need to be in every session?: For regular couples therapy, yes — the relationship is the client, not either individual, and the work requires both people present. There are occasional exceptions: sometimes an initial session with one partner to gather context, or an individual session when something specific needs private space. But ongoing individual sessions disguised as couples therapy tend to undermine trust and create an unfair dynamic — something Austin avoids. If one partner is hesitant about attending, that’s worth discussing; see the question below about reluctant partners.
How long does couples therapy typically take?: The range is wide depending on what the couple brings in and what they want to accomplish. Some couples come in for a specific issue — a recurring conflict pattern, a transition they’re navigating — and find meaningful resolution in 8–16 sessions. Couples working through deeper wounds, affairs, or longstanding relational patterns often need more time, sometimes 6–12 months of weekly or biweekly sessions. Austin will give you a realistic picture of your likely timeline after the initial sessions, and you’ll check in regularly on progress.
Can couples therapy help with infidelity or betrayal trauma?: Yes — and Austin’s combined training in couples therapy and trauma is particularly relevant here. Infidelity and betrayal aren’t just relationship problems; for the betrayed partner, they’re often traumatic in a clinical sense, involving intrusive thoughts, hypervigilance, and difficulty trusting their own perceptions. Recovery is possible, but it moves in stages and requires genuine commitment from both partners. Austin won’t tell you whether your relationship is fixable or not based on a consultation — that depends on what both of you are willing to do. What he will tell you is that he has worked with couples through exactly this, and that it’s some of the most meaningful work he does.
What if one partner is reluctant?: Reluctance is more common than most people think, and it doesn’t automatically mean therapy won’t work. Often the hesitant partner has concerns that are worth hearing — worry about being ganged up on, skepticism about whether things are actually that serious, or past bad experiences with therapy. Austin addresses those concerns directly in early sessions and typically asks both partners to commit to 3–4 sessions before deciding whether to continue. Many partners who start skeptical end up becoming the more engaged person in the room once they see how the work actually functions.

Cost & Logistics

How much does therapy cost?: Individual therapy sessions are typically $200–$250 per session. Austin also offers package pricing for clients pursuing a defined course of treatment — these bundle a set number of sessions at a reduced per-session rate, structured around eating disorder treatment, EMDR trauma therapy, or couples therapy intensives, ranging from $1,200 to $2,400. For a thorough breakdown of costs and how to think about the investment, see this guide to cash-pay therapy.
Why don't you take insurance?: Accepting insurance requires assigning a psychiatric diagnosis to every client, following insurance company treatment timelines, and sharing clinical notes with insurance adjusters. Austin made the deliberate choice to practice outside insurance panels so that treatment decisions are made by him and his clients — not shaped by what a coverage policy allows. It also means your mental health records stay private and aren’t shared with third parties. If you want to understand the full picture of why many therapists and clients choose cash pay, this post explains it thoroughly.
Can I use a superbill to get reimbursed by my insurance?: If you have out-of-network benefits on your health insurance plan, there’s a good chance you can get partial reimbursement for sessions. Austin provides detailed superbills — itemized receipts with the session codes insurers require — that you submit directly to your insurance company for reimbursement. The reimbursement rate depends on your specific plan. To find out what your benefits look like, call the member services number on the back of your insurance card and ask specifically about your out-of-network mental health benefits and whether your deductible has been met.
What is a free consultation and what happens on the call?: The free 15-minute consultation is not an intake or an assessment — it’s a conversation. You’ll describe what’s going on for you, ask any questions you have about how Austin works, and get a feel for whether the fit is right. Austin will share how he approaches your concern and whether he thinks he can help. If there’s a match, you’ll schedule your first full session. If it doesn’t feel like the right fit, Austin will do his best to help you think through what or who might be. There’s no pressure and no paperwork. Book a free consultation here.
What's the difference between a package and individual sessions?: Individual sessions can be booked one at a time — a good option if you want flexibility or aren’t sure how long you’ll be in therapy. Packages bundle a set number of sessions at a reduced per-session rate and are designed around a specific course of treatment: eating disorder work, EMDR trauma therapy, or couples therapy. If you already know you’re looking for a defined treatment sequence — say, 8 sessions of EMDR for a specific trauma — a package typically makes financial and clinical sense. It also provides structure: you’ve committed to the work, which tends to produce better outcomes than deciding session-by-session. Austin will make a recommendation after your consultation.

Telehealth & Accessibility

What states do you serve?: Austin is currently licensed to practice in eight states: California, Utah, Arizona, Colorado, Florida, Nevada, Idaho, and Wyoming. Telehealth licensure is state-specific — you must be physically located in one of those states during each session. If you live in one state but regularly travel or work in another, that’s worth mentioning on the consultation call to make sure scheduling won’t be affected.
What technology do you use for sessions?: Sessions take place via a HIPAA-compliant video platform designed specifically for telehealth healthcare visits — not a general video conferencing tool. You’ll receive a secure link before each session. All you need is a device with a camera and microphone (laptop, tablet, or phone), a private space, and a stable internet connection. Most clients don’t need to download an app. For EMDR sessions, Austin uses a dedicated bilateral stimulation tool that runs in your browser.
What if I'm in a crisis?: Austin Young Therapy is an outpatient practice and is not set up to provide crisis intervention. If you’re in immediate danger, experiencing thoughts of suicide, or facing a psychiatric emergency, please call or text 988 (the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline), text HOME to 741741 (Crisis Text Line), or call 911 and go to your nearest emergency room. If you’re an existing client, Austin will go over the appropriate contacts and protocol with you during your first session so you know exactly what to do if something urgent comes up between appointments.
Can I do therapy from my phone?: Yes — sessions work fine from most modern smartphones as long as you have a camera, microphone, and stable internet connection. A phone stand makes it easier to maintain natural eye contact and avoids arm fatigue during longer sessions, and headphones help with privacy if you’re in a shared space. Some clients prefer the flexibility of a phone; others find a laptop easier. Either works well.
What if I need to reschedule?: Sessions canceled with at least 24 hours’ notice can be rescheduled at no charge. Late cancellations (within 24 hours) and no-shows are charged the full session fee — this policy protects the time of both parties and supports the consistent attendance that produces better outcomes. If you have a genuine emergency, reach out directly; Austin uses judgment and isn’t going to make a hard situation harder.

Still have questions? Let’s talk.

If there’s something you didn’t see here — or if reading this made you think therapy might actually be useful — the free consultation is the best next step. It’s 15 minutes, it’s free, and there’s no pressure to commit to anything. You’ll leave knowing whether Austin’s approach is the right fit.

Book a Free Consultation

No paperwork. No pressure. Just a real conversation about what you’re carrying.

About Austin Young

Austin Young is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) certified in CBT-E (Enhanced Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for eating disorders) and EMDR, and trained in the Gottman Method and Emotionally Focused Therapy for couples. He sees clients via telehealth across California, Utah, Arizona, Colorado, Florida, Nevada, Idaho, and Wyoming.