Catherine Dilger, LPC

she/her/hers

Howdy! I am happy you’re here and taking the first step to get the support you desire. I offer both individual and couples/relationship counseling. Above all else, I create a space where you can feel seen, heard, understood, cared for, accepted, and free from judgment. 

The following principles drive my approach to this work: 1) I hold an unyielding belief in your ability to produce whatever change you deem necessary for you to live your best life; 2) I accept you just as you are, without judgment or a preconceived notion of how you “should” be; 3) I want to see you thrive, based on your definition of thriving, not mine; 4) I strive to be inclusive and anti-racist. I am affirming of all identities and sexual and relationship orientations.

Therapy is wonderful for all sorts of reasons. It can be a place to learn new ways of relating to people in our lives and developing new skills for managing emotions in our day-to-day lives. I also provide a safe place to process life events, heal, and grow. Our past experiences shape our present-day thoughts, feelings, and behaviors, and that influence is sometimes helpful and sometimes not. Getting to know ourselves, coming to accept all parts of ourselves, and holding ourselves with compassion lets us identify the helpful, shift the unhelpful, and love ourselves in the process. We can become better equipped to move through the world in a way that leads to more of what we want and less of what we don’t want. 

In relationship counseling, I strive to help people identify and remedy what is standing in the way of the connection they want with each other. This can look like gaining a deeper understanding of your partner(s), enhancing communication skills, learning new ways to work through conflict, overcoming betrayal, and shifting ways of interacting and deepening connection and intimacy. Often this looks like identifying behaviors and patterns that inhibit connection and intimacy, then learning new ways to interact that leave everyone feeling loved and fulfilled in the relationship. 

I also work with people experiencing anxiety, depression, thoughts of suicide, low self-esteem, self-harm, ADHD, relationship issues, parenting concerns, and in navigating ethical non-monogamy, combating perfectionism and people-pleasing tendencies, and navigating life transitions (e.g., emerging adulthood, divorce, career change, parenting, retirement). I also support clients in trauma recovery, including childhood abuse and neglect, past relationships, life-threatening events, and post-traumatic stress disorder. 

The relationship between you and me is the most important factor in predicting whether therapy will help you. Therefore, first and foremost, I’ll be focused on building trust with you and co-creating a space where you feel free to be brave, authentic, and open. Second to that, I pull from a variety of evidence-based theories and modalities based on what suits you and your goals. My therapeutic approach is shaped by interpersonal neurobiology and attachment theory. I am trauma-informed, and I incorporate parts work (such as Internal Family Systems), somatic psychotherapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, and emotion-focused therapy. I am supportive, warm, direct, collaborative, and strengths-based. I believe it’s possible to engage in deep work and still have a sense of humor. 

A little more about me, I earned a Master of Arts in Counseling from St. Edward’s University in 2018. I have been with Therapy Austin since 2019.  I completed my pre-graduate internship hours at Austin Lakes Hospital and Capital Area Counseling. Counseling is my second career after discovering my first career, while fun for a short time, wasn’t my jam after all. Outside of work, I enjoy spending time with my friends and family, my dog, and being outside (e.g. hiking, gardening, camping!). I love to read and consider myself a lifelong learner. I love to laugh, dance, and sing. I do not claim to be a great dancer or singer, but I don’t let that stop me!! 

Whether you struggle with mental illness; are working through grief, loss, or trauma; want to improve your relationship, just feeling “stuck;” or are focused on personal growth, I would feel honored to walk with you on your journey. Reach out to me by phone at 512/201-4501, ext. 199.