We’re looking forward to introducing you to Damien Robinson LPC-S & Sarah Robinson LCSW-S. Check out our conversation below.
Hi Damien & Sarah, thank you so much for joining us today. We’re thrilled to learn more about your journey, values and what you are currently working on. Let’s start with an ice breaker: What do the first 90 minutes of your day look like?
We’d sleep in if we could, but no such luck. We are usually woken up by kids who think mornings are for singing at top volume. Damien meditates to hang on to sanity, while Sarah’s catching U.S. news with coffee in hand. Shoes on, hair askew, but always time for a sunlit twirl and a “grow up” photo. Kids head out with Damien, Sarah breaks a sweat, and Damien tunes up for his first clients. It’s a blur, but somehow, it’s our favorite blur.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
We’re a therapy crew in Austin that keeps it real; yes, real shoes, real stories, and real laughs if you need them! We’re here for people who want honest support with zero judgment. Forget the old-school therapy vibes where you’re just another file. Think of it more like your mental health home base, where you can breathe, let your guard down, and just be yourself (sneakers or sweatpants totally welcome).
We are different because we’ve built a team that brings our whole selves into the room – brains, hearts, messy days, good hair days, all of it – so you can show up just as you are. Our approach mixes proven tools like EMDR and the Enneagram with actual human connection. It’s not therapy-as-usual, and that’s on purpose. We’re a husband-wife team with our own blend of wild journeys and laughs, so yes, that shines through everything we do.
At the heart of it, we take your goals seriously but we’re not all stiff suits and clipboards. We want you to leave each session feeling heard, understood, and ready to try something new. So if you’re searching for honest-to-goodness growth, a therapist who cares about more than just your calendar slot, and a safe space to figure things out… you might’ve just found your people. Let’s get through the hard stuff together and maybe even find a little joy along the way.
Okay, so here’s a deep one: What breaks the bonds between people—and what restores them?
In our experience, bonds between people often break when there’s a loss of trust, a lack of understanding, or when life’s pressures push connection to the background. Miscommunication, unspoken hurt, and feeling unseen can slowly chip away at even the strongest relationships – whether in families, friendships, teams, or communities.
What restores those bonds is intentional reconnection. It’s taking the time to really listen, to see the person in front of you without judgment, and to show up with empathy even when it’s hard. Healing happens when compassion meets consistency; when words and actions align. We’ve seen again and again that relationships can grow back stronger when people feel valued, respected, and safe to be themselves. That’s true in mental health care, and it’s true in life.
Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
Sarah:
Giving up can mean something different for everyone. There are times when letting go is actually the best move, but like a lot of people, I grew up believing in sticking things out no matter what. Quitting was always seen as a bad thing, a sign that you’d failed or missed out. That idea followed me around, especially when I decided to switch my college major after spending two years in electrical engineering. I moved to study psychology and science instead.
People around me thought I was throwing in the towel, so for a while, I saw it that way too. Deep down, though, it didn’t feel like giving up. It felt like I was finally moving toward what mattered to me. I still cared about using scientific methods to help people and figure out tough problems. I just knew I wanted a career where I could spend more time working with people face-to-face, instead of being behind a screen or in a lab every day.
Looking back, I know I made the right move. I still love learning about new discoveries and I even enjoy math! But I really wanted to connect with people and make a difference that way. Whenever I see someone taking a leap to follow what’s true for them, I want to stand up and cheer. It’s not about giving up. It’s about betting on who you really are.
Damien:
There have definitely been moments lately when the weight of it all felt overwhelming; balancing the emotional intensity of clients’ stories, managing a growing practice, and navigating personal life challenges. In those times, the idea of stepping back from counseling or giving up on mental health support quietly crossed my mind.
But what kept me going was remembering why I started this work in the first place: the deep belief that every person deserves to be seen, heard, and supported through their struggles. Also, leaning on my own self-care practices, trusted colleagues, and the progress I’ve witnessed in those I’ve worked with helped me find strength. It’s never easy, but those challenging moments have taught me resilience, and reinforced the importance of staying connected to purpose and community.
Next, maybe we can discuss some of your foundational philosophies and views? What are the biggest lies your industry tells itself?
Sarah:
I’ve spent my career bouncing around almost every corner of mental health care you can imagine. We’re talking residential treatment, hospital units, partial hospitalization and intensive outpatient programs, home visits, and, of course, private practice. And there’s this classic belief you get hit with from day one: keep your distance, stay a blank slate, and just listen. Like, really listen… with zero personal info leaking out. And trust me, I bought in. I tried every “don’t talk about yourself” trick in the book. If someone asked me anything personal, it was all redirection and polite sidesteps. Plus I wore what I thought was the right “therapist outfit” (whatever that’s supposed to mean). Safety in rules?
What hits different now, after more than ten years in the thick of it, is this: when someone’s struggling the most, when life feels like it’s closing in, what they want more than anything is to feel seen. To sit across from a real human, not just a note-taking robot. They want an actual person who gets it, or at least tries to. It’s still tricky to blend real empathy with therapy skills, but it’s working and it feels authentic to me and all my clients. It’s science, but it’s also guts and heart. You have to show you care and let your own personality shine, but not so much that you blur the lines. It’s not about baring your soul, but you don’t have to erase everything about yourself either. The things that make each one of us different are what brings value to this work, and I underline this point with every clinical social worker I supervise. There’s no single way to do this job, and those quirks and strengths you’ve collected over the years are big assets. There’s room for everyone’s style at the table and isn’t that what helps us actually connect, anyway?
Damien:
One of the biggest lies the industry tells itself is that faster automatically means better. We equate urgency with progress, but healing doesn’t happen on a stopwatch. True change takes time, safety, and trust; things you can’t rush without losing depth. Another lie is that technology can replace connection. Tools can help us reach more people, but they can never replicate the presence of being with someone in their pain and joy. We also like to tell ourselves that we’re evolving simply because we’re moving. But growth without reflection is just busyness, and busyness is not the same as healing. We have to remember, both as professionals and as human beings, that slowing down is not failure. Sometimes it’s the most compassionate choice we can make. And in line with our authentic approach, I am trying to practice these same things every day.
Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. What do you understand deeply that most people don’t?
Damien:
What I understand deeply, something many people don’t fully grasp, is that healing isn’t linear or one-size-fits-all. It’s messy, often slow, and can look different for everyone. People expect quick fixes or clear progress, but real growth involves setbacks, pauses, and moments of doubt. My own personal journey has given me a front row seat to this reality, and accepting the messiness is the only way forward.
That understanding has taught me patience and compassion—not just for others, but for myself too. It’s a reminder that everyone’s journey is unique, and honoring that complexity is key to truly supporting lasting change.
Sarah:
I agree with you, and I’d add that for me, learning about change has been anything but straightforward. There are moments when I feel like I’m making big progress, and other times when it seems like I’m stuck or even going backward. I’ve realized this is pretty normal. Change sort of loops around, and sometimes you have to revisit old lessons before moving forward again. Even now I’m still figuring it out, and I think that’s just how growth works for most of us. I chat with my clients about this pretty often, and we always seem to agree on one thing. Even though everyone wants a neat, straight-line path from point A to point B, that’s just not how real change works. It’s tempting to wish for instant results or a tidy process, but patience always ends up being the real hero. It’s in those slower, sometimes awkward moments of growth that the biggest value shows up. If you rush, you miss the good stuff – like the small wins and the quiet shifts that really matter. Waiting can definitely test your nerves, but the payoff is worth it every single time.
Image Credits
Shay Willis Photography
