Matiko Austin, PhD

Education

• PhD, Clinical Psychology, Walden University
• MA, Psychology, Texas Southern University
• BS, Biblical Counseling, College of Biblical Studies
• BA, Psychology, Fisk University

Courses Taught

• General Psychology
• History and Theoretical Systems in Psychology
• Psychology of Religion
• Psychology of Death and Dying
• Abnormal Psychology
• Child Psychopathology
• Ethical and Professional Issues in Psychology and Counseling
• Cultural Psychology
• Methods of Group Processing
• Principals of Human Development
• Research Techniques and Procedures

Teaching Focus

Dr. Austin’s diverse background allows her to teach in the undergraduate and graduate programs, both residential and online courses. Dr. Austin’s teaching focus is introducing undergraduate students to the vast field of psychology and the variety of specialty areas within the field of psychology. Her focus with graduate students includes introducing them to the practice and application of psychological theories, and Christian Counseling.

Research Interests and Publications

Dr. Austin’s research interest includes gender differences of caretaker burden and stress in terminal disease patients, specifically Alzheimer’s Disease, clinical personalities, clinical treatment, and anxiety and depression in African Americans.

• Reitzel, L. R., Olivares-Reed, D., Bivins, M. I., Venkataraman, D., Cofta-Woerpel, L., Li, Y., Irvin Vidrine, J., & Wetter, D. W. Explaining the educational gradient in smoking cessation. (2006, July). Poster presented at the M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, Division of Cancer Prevention and Population Sciences, 2nd Annual Day of Prevention Science. Houston, TX.

Awards and Honors

• Meharry Medical College Continuing Education Award, 1991
• Who’s Who among Students in American Universities and Colleges, 1992
• Roland Branch Scholarship Recipient, 1988

Previous Academic/Professional Positions

• Adjunct Professor, Houston Christian University
• Adjunct Professor, University of Houston-Downtown
• Adjunct Professor, Texas Southern University

Additional Information

Dr. Austin has over 26 years of clinical experience and over 15 years in higher-education and course development. Dr. Austin has written parent training and anger management curriculums and treatment manuals that have been used in private practice settings with Texas Department of Family and Protective Services clients. She has also written research treatment manuals, developed a 4 year- biblical counseling training course, and worked on course development teams in psychology at Houston Christian University. Dr. Austin has been an invited speaker and workshop presenter on topics of depression and anxiety in African American women. She most recently served as a Mental Wellness consultant for the Brazoria County Head Start program. Dr. Austin has also served as a consultant for The University of Texas Health Science Center- Department of Family Practice and Community Medicine on numerous research projects training and supervision research clinicians. Dr. Austin’s clinical and research experience expands over 26 years in which her contributions have helped to advance mental health treatment.

Dr. Austin is an active member of The Way of Life Church where she serves as the Counseling Ministry Leader. She is also an active member in Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated. Dr. Austin enjoys spending time with her local and distant family. Her hobbies include domestic and international traveling, creating essential oil blends, and shopping. She is happily married to Marcus Austin and they have two children, Madison, and Maverick Austin.