Welcome to a place where therapy transcends the conventional.
Step into a space where healing begins with understanding
With Mary Liz Austin, you don’t just talk; you're heard, seen, and understood on a deeper level. Over two decades of experience have shaped a unique approach where your journey of self-discovery and healing is supported every step of the way. Here, we navigate the complexities of life together, embracing every story with openness and a dedication to growth.
Creating a Space Where You're Fully Seen
My mission is to offer you a warm, comfortable place to be open, where self-judgment begins to dissolve at the door, and your stories, no matter how unique or complex, are met with understanding and compassion.
Whether you're navigating past trauma or seeking a secure partnership in any form, I'm here.
I approach each narrative with fresh eyes and an open heart, eager to navigate the intricate pathways of love, hurt, and healing that are as diverse as the individuals who share them.
I am currently accepting patients in Maryland or Washington, DC, for virtual sessions. For insurance and payment information, please visit the Session Details page.
For Individuals Ready to Go Beyond Talk Therapy
Are you and your partner circling the same issues, feeling stuck in a loop?
PACT (Psychobiological Approach to Couple Therapy) offers a fresh lens through which to view your relationship. It focuses not just on communication but on understanding the dance of your minds and bodies together. PACT supports you to be curious about each other, about yourselves, and about the ways you connect.
I'm not here to be a permanent fixture in your lives; I'm here to empower you, to observe and enhance the bond you share so that you can navigate through your challenges more swiftly and lovingly. My goal is for you to be able to say, "We've got this," and truly mean it.
For Couples seeking a fresh perspective
Talk therapy has its place, but have you ever wondered what your body might be trying to tell you?
Somatic Experiencing invites you to explore all aspects of your embodied experience, including images, gestures, and often overlooked sensations.
If traditional methods have not disentangled the knots of past traumas, it's time to listen to your body's wisdom. It is possible to uncover healing and joy that are not just fleeting but come naturally and endure as instinct.
I’m Mary Liz Austin, a therapist who believes in blending the best of talk therapy with the insights of body awareness to help you find your way through. Whether you’re dealing with trauma, anxiety, relationship issues, or just the challenges of being human, I’m here to support you.
I am a seasoned therapist in Maryland and the District of Columbia, specializing in Somatic Experiencing for individuals and PACT for couples. With a focus on acute and developmental trauma, depression, anxiety, relationship issues, and spiritual concerns, I approach therapy holistically—mind, body, and spirit—inviting you to rediscover your inner resources and the supportive network around you.
My journey has taught me that under the proper conditions, we have a natural tendency toward healing. I am eternally grateful to my parents and seven siblings for loving me through all the stages of my life and for demonstrating to me that change is possible. Many of the most important things I have learned, I learned from them.
Trainings and Inspirations
As a licensed therapist, my practice is built on years of experience and training. Noteworthy accomplishments include:
Somatic Experiencing Practitioner and Assistant
Psychobiological Approach to Couple Therapy (PACT) Level 2
Integral Somatic Psychology (The Somatics of Emotion)
Internal Relationship Focusing Level 2
IFS informed (Internal Family Systems)
Life’s my biggest classroom, and I’m always a student. My Inspiration comes from many sources. Here are links to teachers and books that continue to inspire me:
