Today we’d like to introduce you to Emily.
Hi Emily, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I came to this work through both training and lived experience. I’m a psychologist, but long before opening my practice, I was deeply curious about how people navigate major life transitions—especially the ones that are supposed to be joyful, yet often feel isolating or overwhelming. Early in my career, I noticed that many women were doing “all the right things” on the outside while quietly struggling with identity shifts, relationship changes, anxiety, and guilt beneath the surface. That gap between how things look and how they actually feel became central to my work.
As my clinical experience grew, so did my focus. I began specializing in working with women in their 20s and 30s who are navigating transitions like pregnancy, early motherhood, changing relationships, career shifts, and redefining who they are in this season of life. Becoming a mother myself further deepened my understanding—not just intellectually, but emotionally—of how profound and disorienting these transitions can be, and how little space many women feel they have to talk about them honestly.
I eventually founded my private practice in Austin to create the kind of therapeutic space I saw so many women needing: thoughtful, relational, and grounded in evidence-based care, but also deeply human. Today, I work with women locally and across PSYPACT states, helping them strengthen their relationships, quiet their inner critic, and feel more like themselves again—not by “fixing” who they are, but by understanding themselves with more clarity and compassion.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It definitely wasn’t a completely smooth road. While I had strong clinical training, building a private practice required learning an entirely different skill set—one that most clinicians aren’t formally taught. I went from focusing solely on therapy work to also teaching myself how to build a website, think through branding, understand marketing, and learn how to talk about my work in a way that felt authentic rather than sales-driven. Networking and putting myself out there didn’t come naturally at first, and that learning curve was real.
The early months were especially challenging. For the first three months, I had only two patients, which was understandably stressful and brought up a lot of uncertainty. At the same time, I now see that period as foundational rather than indicative of failure. It forced me to slow down, clarify who I wanted to serve, and build my practice intentionally instead of reactively. I used that time to refine my message, strengthen referral relationships, and create systems that would actually support sustainable growth.
Looking back, those early challenges shaped the practice I have today. They taught me patience, flexibility, and how to tolerate uncertainty—skills that are not only essential in business, but ones I also help my clients develop as they navigate their own transitions. The road wasn’t linear, but it was deeply formative.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Live Oak Psychology?
My practice, Live Oak Psychology, is a private therapy practice based in Austin, focused on supporting women through life transitions, relationships, and motherhood. I work with clients both locally and across PSYPACT states, offering a space where they can explore identity shifts, navigate challenges in partnerships, quiet the inner critic, and build stronger connections with themselves and others.
What sets my practice apart is the way I blend evidence-based therapy with a deep understanding of the real-life pressures women face today. I specialize in helping women feel seen and understood in seasons of change—whether it’s pregnancy, postpartum adjustment, career shifts, or relationship challenges—while keeping therapy grounded, practical, and compassionate. My approach is relational and individualized: I meet clients where they are and tailor strategies that actually fit their lives.
I’m especially proud of how my brand communicates authenticity and warmth. From my website to the way I structure sessions and communicate with clients, every element is designed to make therapy feel approachable, safe, and meaningful. I want readers to know that Live Oak Psychology isn’t just about “fixing problems,” it’s about helping women reconnect to themselves, regain confidence, and navigate life transitions with clarity and support.
Ultimately, my goal is to create a space where women feel validated, empowered, and equipped—not just to survive life’s changes, but to thrive through them.
What would you say have been one of the most important lessons you’ve learned?
One of the most important lessons I’ve learned is the power of focus. Early on, I worried that niching down—specializing in working with women navigating life transitions, relationships, and motherhood—might feel limiting, that I’d be cutting out too many potential clients. In reality, it became the opposite. By being specific about who I wanted to work with—and who I didn’t—I was able to hone my skills, tailor my approach, and create a space where women truly felt seen and understood.
Ironically, the more precise I became, the more appointments I started getting. Even with a smaller potential patient pool, women resonated with a clear message and felt confident reaching out. It taught me that clarity—about your mission, your ideal client, and the value you bring—is incredibly powerful. Focusing deeply allows you to do your best work, build trust, and create a practice that thrives not because it’s broad, but because it’s intentional.
Pricing:
- 50 min sessions- $200
- Accept Aetna insurance
Contact Info:
- Website: https://liveoak-psychology.com
- Instagram: @liveoakpsychology
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MessyFeelings/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emily-turinas/
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/live-oak-psychology-austin
- Other: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/emily-turinas-austin-tx/1227841
