Christopher Shaw, LCSW-S LCDC CSAT-S CPT is a
Sexual Health & Recovery Expert in Austin, Texas.
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Christopher Shaw
LCSW-S LCDC CSAT-S CPT Sexual Health & Recovery Expert Psychotherapist, Personal Trainer, Healer Specialities: Sex Addiction Assessment; Recovery from problematic sexual behaviors such as sex addiction, hypersexual disorder, out-of-control sexual behavior, sexual impulsivity, and sexual abuse; pornography addiction; drug/alcohol addiction recovery; LGBTQI-Affirmative therapy; ChemSex fusion addiction and recovery; Internal Family Systems therapy; anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder; spiritual intelligence; Personal Training & Fitness. Christopher lectures, motivates, educates, and inspires others on the topics of Sexual Health, Recovery, Addiction Treatment, Spirituality. Christopher also mentors and supervises Master Social Workers and CSAT Candidates as they work toward full licensure/certification.
Life is a Journey
I have come to understand that life is a journey: a journey that can often be experienced with obstacles, challenges, ups, downs, highs, lows, and sometimes violent storms. Often times, these obstacles have a crippling effect, leaving us feeling hopeless, miserable, and fearful. Many of us find ourselves angry or stuck in our present reality, resentful and regretful of our past, and afraid for our future. Many of us escape through sex, drugs, alcohol, work, pornography, relationships, social media, gaming, shopping, and countless other ways, only to find ourselves even more discouraged, afraid, depressed, anxious, and/or traumatized. Good news: there are solutions. I have found them, and my mission is to share them with you. My Solution After battling addiction for many years, I discovered a new way to live through psychotherapy, the 12-steps, physical fitness, and spiritual practice. Ramtha said, "Your greatest accomplishment in life will be living through it." Today, living is my way of life. Today, I can look at myself in the mirror without shame, guilt, sadness, and self-hatred. I can appreciate my past and not run from it. I can form meaningful loving relationships with others because I have first learned how to love myself. I have learned how to overcome obstacles and cope with worry, anxiety, and depression. I have learned to enjoy every moment, good or bad, and I do my best to practice mindfulness and live in the here and now. Through ongoing psychotherapy, 12-step participation, spiritual growth, and physical fitness, I have begun to understand my true sacred self and own the power that lies within me. My Past Careers I obtained my Bachelors in Fine Arts in Dance Performance and Minor in Advertising from Southern Methodist University in 1997. My dance career took me to New York City, Rome, Milan, Naples, Sicily, Bari, and Genova, to name a few. I became fluent in Italian and made Rome my home for five years. After completing a two-year tour of An American in Paris, a knee injury forced my early retirement. For years afterward, I experienced a wide range of careers in various professions (Press & PR, Graphic/Web Design, Retail Manager, Airline Industry - Inflight Crew & Interpreter, Creative/Art Direction, and others); however, everywhere I turned, my addiction was always with me. My Turning Point Shuttered in a cold dark basement room in New York City during the spring of 2008, I awoke to a voice saying, "This is not what you are meant to do with your life. Get help now!" I immediately sought help for my addictions & mental health challenges, entered inpatient treatment, and the rest is history! My Purpose My sobriety has given me life and connected me with purpose -- to be a vessel of healing for others and the world -- which led me to obtain my Masters in Social Work from Wayne State University. My training at WSU was centered in Clinical Social Work with a psychodynamic concentration. My research areas included the following: addiction & recovery, dual-diagnosis treatment, program development, specialized individual and group therapy, MSM and methamphetamine/high risk sexual behaviors, sex addiction, HIV/AIDS, and LGBTQ- Affirmative therapy. My Experience In 2008, I began working with diverse populations in a variety of clinical settings such as United Way of Detroit (Case Manager for 211 Program which helped homeless recovering addicts find employment and housing) and Oakdale Recovery Center (Dual-Diagnosis Treatment Center with 5 levels of care). In 2010, I moved to Austin, Texas, where my Higher Power led me to La Hacienda Treatment Center in Hunt, TX, where I served as a full-time weekend therapist and evening shift leader. From June of 2012 to May 2014, I led the Collegiate Intensive Outpatient Program at La Hacienda's Solutions in Austin, TX. Under my leadership, I developed and implemented an 8-Week IOP programming schedule specifically designed for Collegiate-aged individuals ages 18-24. Please see my LinkedIn profile for additional professional information. In 2013, I founded Psychotherapy for the Mind, Body, & Spirit PLLC, and I began seeing clients in private practice in August 2013. In May 2014, I leaped into full-time private practice. As my practice evolved and the need for services increased, I founded SHAW Center for Healing PLLC in January of 2015 and launched the Sexual Health & Wellness Program in December 2015. Since 2015, SHAW Center for Healing collectively helped over 450 clients and their loved ones, which is truly a miracle. Over 80 of our clients, or SHAWEsomes as they have called themselves, comprise our SHAW101 Alumni group, many of whom are thriving in their recoveries and leaders in their recovery communities. We truly do recover! SHAW Center for Healing provided essential services to our beloved Austin, Texas. We educated our community about Sex Addiction and SHAW (Sexual Health And Wellness), informed our community that recovery from sex addiction, drug/alcohol addiction, multiple addictions, and trauma IS possible, advocated for eradication of “addictophobia” and we played our part in reducing the stigma attached to addiction, especially sexual addiction. Before COVID-19, SHAW Center for Healing was on the path toward its second expansion. COVID changed the lives of many and turned our worlds upside down. And as a result of such unexpected and dramatic changes, our plans for expansion and continued operations vanished overnight. SHAW Center for Healing closed its doors on May 25th, 2020. I decided to preserve its vision and return to private practice in the summer of 2020, while deciding what I want to do next. I currently offer a vast array of services such as expert holistic assessment & testing, psychotherapy, internal family systems therapy, trauma resolution and therapy, and groups, workshops, and intensives for the recovering addict, partner/spouse, and family. My Self-Care It is extremely important for me to continually develop my professional skills and abilities by regularly participating in continuing education courses, as well as ongoing individual and trauma psychotherapy. For continued mental, spiritual, and physical health, I regularly engage in daily "conscious contact" (e.g., prayer/meditation) with my Higher Power, ongoing 12-step activities (e.g., sponsorship, service work, step-work, attending meetings), energy healing, ongoing shamanic consultation and counseling, and weightlifting/bodybuilding. Most Recent Trainings In 2015, I completed over 60 hours of Continuing Education courses including CSAT training with leading sex addiction experts Dr. Patrick Carnes, Dr. Kenneth Adams, Dr. Stefanie Carnes, and Thomas Tullos at the International Institute for Trauma and Addiction Professionals. In January 2016, I completed "The Art of Clinical Supervision" at University of Texas at Austin (January 2016). Update: March 17, 2016: It's official! I am now a LCSW-Supervisor, supervising and mentoring Licensed Master Social Workers as they accumulate hours and experience toward advanced licensure. On May 23, 2016, I completed CSAT Module 3 in Houston, Texas, where I trained under Erotic Intelligence expert Alexandra Katehakis and Financial and Sexual Betrayal expert Debra Kaplan. In October 2016, I completed my CSAT training by completing Module 4 in Houston, Texas. In December 2016, I completed my last hour of supervision (30 hours completed) for my CSAT and was awarded official certification on January 17, 2017. In January 2018, I became a CSAT-Supervisor, and am now certified to mentor CSAT-Candidates through their training process. In September 2017, I completed "Quantum Sphere Healing Protocol I" training with Shamanic Practitioner Carla Fox, and in April 2018, I completed "Advanced Quantum Sphere Healing Protocol II." In September 2018, I learned how to facilitate the Shamanic Death Rites Ritual. In May 2019, April 2021, and April 2023, I attended the IITAP Symposiums completing all CEU's to maintain CSAT-S. In April 2022, I attended Level 1 training for Internal Family Systems therapy and am now a Level 1 Practitioner. In May 2023, I began working on my PhD in Clinical Sexology and CST (Certified Sex Therapist) certification. |
I am an addiction survivor, Licensed Clinical Social Worker & Board Approved Social Work Supervisor, Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor, Certified Sex Addiction Therapist Supervisor, Certified Personal Trainer & Fitness Coach, Psychotherapist, Motivational Speaker & Educator. In 2013, I founded Psychotherapy for the Mind, Body, & Spirit in Austin, Texas, which evolved into SHAW Center for Healing (April 2015-May 2020). In May 2020, SHAW Center for Healing was not able to navigate the COVID storm, and I made the difficult decision to close its doors. Since then, I have returned to work in private practice helping individuals and their loved ones recover from Sex Addiction, Drug/Alcohol Addiction, Multiple Addictions, ChemSex Addiction, Mental Health challenges, and Trauma.
"Christopher is an awesome counselor. He deeply cares about his clients and is committed to their success. I would recommend Chris in a heart-beat."
- Laura Jones-Swann, MEd LCDC - Adjunct Faculty - University of Texas School of Social Work Licenses and Affiliations
"Chris Shaw is not only the most amazing therapist I have worked with but also the most amazing person. He has truly helped me process and see things I never thought were possible. I will be forever grateful to that man for saving my life. I have no idea where or what I would be without him, and I'm thankful I haven't had to find out."
"Christopher is one of the top therapists I recommend for anyone seeking support in recovery." "Chris, I want to thank you for getting me on the path to recovery. I know I would not be where I am today without your help. The road is long and I'm glad it started with you guiding me." "As a therapist myself, I trust Mr. Shaw's clinical judgment and would not hesitate to send him referrals." "Chris" is fun, organized, firm (when needed), and a wonderful role model that you can tell enjoys his job." "Chris was awesome and really helped." "Chris helped me find myself...the enthusiasm he brings encourages me to be active and continue to stay clean and sober." "I wouldn't have made it this far if not for Chris." "My individual sessions with Chris were amazing; they really helped me start to find myself.""Christopher is a generous, compassionate, and insightful man. I am so thrilled that he is using his gifts and remarkable spirit to help others, he is a truly wonderful person!" "Christopher is a bright spirit. The minute I met him his positive upbeat attitude was contagious. I think he is a talented counselor and I will refer to Christopher Shaw." "Chris Shaw saved my life." "Christopher is an awesome counselor. He deeply cares about his clients and is committed to their success. I would recommend Chris in a heart-beat." "Chris was a great counselor. I felt safe and secure when talking with him." "Chris Shaw inspired me and gave me experience, strength, and hope." "Chris made me feel incredibly comfortable and I felt I could come to him with anything." 
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"Christopher Shaw is one of the top therapists I recommend for anyone seeking support in recovery."
-Ivana Grahovac, Director for the Center for Students in Recovery (2010-2014) at the University of Texas
-Ivana Grahovac, Director for the Center for Students in Recovery (2010-2014) at the University of Texas