Why is it a Counseling Studio? What is so great about Dr. Taheri?

Welcome to the Austin Counseling Studio website! You may have ended up here during your search for a provider to begin your counseling journey. You may be asking yourself, “Why is it called a counseling studio?” or “Why Dr. Taheri?”

Counseling is a means for facilitating self-exploration, discovery of personal strengths, furthering the development of effective coping mechanisms, and the advancement of personal and relational growth. Talk therapy is one method for creating desired change, and the integration of expressive arts is widely recognized as enhancing the therapeutic process. Some examples of expressive arts used in therapy are: writing and/or storytelling, music, painting, drawing, sculpting, dance, collage, and sandtray.

Dr. Taheri is a Licensed Professional Counselor and a Registered Play Therapist; she specializes in working with children and their caregivers. She calls her counseling space the ‘studio’ because it is a space where creativity, vulnerability, and change are welcomed. It is a place where discoveries can occur, alternate options and perspectives can be explored, and expressive arts can be used to enhance one’s counseling journey. As a clinician, consultant, and counselor educator, Dr. Taheri incorporates the use of play therapy and expressive arts into her clinical practice and education sessions.

Play therapy is a developmentally sensitive approach to counseling for children, wherein a safe space is provided for understanding and growth to occur. Children can choose whether or not they’d like to talk. Children communicate through their play, and as a trained play therapist Dr. Taheri meets them in their most natural form of communication (play). When working with caregivers, Dr. Taheri integrates playful techniques and the use of expressive arts to enhance the caregiver’s understanding of their relationship with their child. 

Dr. Taheri believes that play is powerful!