Today we’d like to introduce you to Sharla Austin.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
Deborah and I (Sharla) first met in graduate school and trained side by side, developing a mutual respect for each other’s work and way of being with clients. After graduation, our professional paths seemed to run parallel but just slightly out of sync. I frequently tell people that it was like we were ships passing in the night- I would arrive at a setting just as she was leaving. We were always aware of one another & we always held each other in high regard. Deborah went on to open up a successful private practice and I opened a satellite office for a large group practice based out of Arkansas. Then the pandemic hit, and like so many, I felt the deep isolation that came with it. As the world began to open back up, I found myself longing for something more.
One day, Deborah and I were consulting about a shared client. In the conversation, we were both sharing how isolated we felt and that simple moment shifted everything. Deborah reached out the following day and invited me to come to her office to talk more.
That conversation became a turning point. We realized that both of us dreamed of creating a place that wasn’t just about therapy sessions, but about becoming a trusted leader in systemic therapy. A place where the power of relationships could transform individuals, couples, families, and communities.
As we shared ideas, it became clear that our visions aligned: we wanted to see a world where deep connection, compassion, and systemic understanding create lasting change in how people relate—to themselves, to each other, and to the broader systems they are part of.
That was the moment our partnership was born. What had been years of mutual respect, near-misses, and professional admiration suddenly came into focus.
Since that day, Deborah and I have poured our hearts into bringing Relational Therapy Collective to life. We have made mistakes, stretched ourselves, and faced challenges we never could have predicted. But every misstep has been a learning opportunity, and in the process we’ve grown tremendously, not just as leaders, but as partners and people.
What I’m most proud of is that through it all, we’ve only grown closer and stronger. We’ve practiced exactly what we ask of our clients: staying connected in the highs and lows, navigating rough waters without losing sight of one another, and remembering that we are truly a team. That spirit of being “for one another” has shaped not only our partnership, but also the team we’ve built and the clients we serve.
In many ways, Relational Therapy Collective is both our professional dream and our personal practice in action. We’re living out our belief that relationships, when nurtured with compassion, commitment, and care, have the power to transform everything.
We are incredibly proud of our team. We may be a little biased, but we truly believe that the quality of care and the transformative work happening within Relational Therapy Collective is nothing short of aspirational. Each clinician brings such depth, heart, and expertise, and together we’ve created an environment where clients feel seen, supported, and empowered to grow.
Now, just shy of our 2.5-year mark, we’re both proud of where we stand today and energized by what’s ahead. Our practice has already taken shape in beautiful ways, but we know this is just the beginning. Watching it continue to evolve feels both humbling and inspiring.
Above all, it is an honor to do the work we do. We don’t take it for granted for a single moment. Every client who invites us into their story entrusts us with something sacred, and we are profoundly grateful for that. Their willingness to bring us alongside them in their therapeutic journey is the heartbeat of why we do this work.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Being in a partnership is both deeply rewarding and, at times, undeniably challenging. Deborah and I are both strong, principled, and opinionated people. We each care deeply about our values, our clients, and the integrity of our work and our practice and despite that, we don’t always see things the same way. In fact, the biggest challenge of working together has been learning how to navigate our differences of opinion and perspective. And yet, that’s also where the magic lies. Because while we are very different in some ways, we are also remarkably alike in the ways that matter most. Our differences push us to grow, to see things from new angles, and to make better, more thoughtful decisions for our practice, our team and our clients. Our similarities—our shared vision, our commitment to excellence, our love of systemic therapy—keep us rooted and aligned.
Deborah likes to say, “We’re like peanut butter and honey.” And it’s true—we balance and complement each other beautifully. Peanut butter is grounding and steady, honey is warm and soothing, and together they make something richer than either one alone. I’m still not entirely sure which one of us she thinks is the peanut butter and which is the honey—it probably depends on the day! But what I do know is that we bring out the best in one another, and that’s what makes our partnership work.
As you know, we’re big fans of Relational Therapy Collective. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
Relational Therapy Collective is a psychotherapy practice built on the belief that relationships have the power to transform lives. We specialize in systemic therapy for couples, families, and individuals, and what that means is we look at the bigger picture—how people relate to themselves, to one another, and to the systems they are a part of. Our goal is to cultivate deep-rooted healing, meaningful growth, and lasting change. What sets us apart is not only that we are a team of highly trained systemic therapists who draw on research-proven methods, but also that we recognize therapy is as much an art as it is a science. Our clinicians are not simply applying techniques from a textbook; they bring creativity, intuition, and presence into every session. This balance means our work is both deeply grounded in evidence-based practice and uniquely responsive to the nuances of each person, couple, or family we meet.
Our vision is to be a trusted leader in systemic therapy, and we’re honored that our clients entrust us with something so sacred—their stories, their struggles, and their hopes for change.
For readers who may be hearing about us for the first time, we want you to know that our offerings include specialized care for couples navigating relational challenges, families working through conflict or transition, and individuals seeking growth, healing and transformation. Whether it’s strengthening a marriage, helping a family heal, or empowering an individual to step into new ways of being, our work is always grounded in systemic understanding, excellence, and compassion.
At the end of the day, we don’t take this work for granted. It’s an honor to do what we do, and we are deeply grateful for every client who invites us to be part of their journey.
Can you tell us more about what you were like growing up?
I grew up in rural south Alabama as the third of four children, and if you asked my siblings, they’d probably all agree that I was the pot-stirrer of the family. If there was an argument happening, I was almost always in the mix. I had a spunky, tenacious spirit, but not in a showy way—I wasn’t chasing attention, I just naturally pushed limits and loved a good challenge. Competition was part of who I was. I often went head-to-head with boys in schoolyard contests, usually beating them outright and at the least, holding my own. I was a tomboy through and through, happiest when I was running, playing, or finding ways to prove myself in unexpected spaces.
Life in Alabama also meant a strong connection to the land and animals. I was active in 4-H, showed sheep at the county fair, and spent countless hours caring for animals. For a while, I was convinced I wanted to be a veterinarian. I loved the idea of spending my life around animals, but I eventually realized that my heart couldn’t handle seeing them suffer up close. I think that sensitivity, paired with my drive and compassion, ultimately nudged me toward a different calling—one where I could still care deeply, but for people instead of animals.
A defining moment came in fifth grade when I transferred to a new school. The year before, the class had been entirely boys, and the school actually pleaded with my parents to enroll me, hoping it might encourage other families to send their daughters as well. So there I was, the only girl in a classroom full of boys for an entire year. In the beginning I was a bit nervous but that definitely deter me- I was game for the challenge. My dad later told me that he and my mom weren’t worried for a second—they knew that if any girl could hold her own and give the boys a run for their money, it was me.
Looking back, those experiences, being tenacious, carving out space where there wasn’t one, caring deeply even when it was hard, are the very same qualities that shape me as a therapist and a leader today. Therapy, much like those early lessons, is about resilience, connection, and showing up with courage and compassion. I think that mix of grit and heart has always been a part of me, and it’s what continues to guide me in the work I do now.
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