We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Shayna Barksdale a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Shayna, appreciate you joining us today. Was there a moment in your career that meaningfully altered your trajectory? If so, we’d love to hear the backstory.

One defining moment in my career was making the leap into private practice after working as a school social worker. While I valued the stability of a steady paycheck and health benefits, I recognized a deeper calling—the need for specialized support for girls and the people who love and support them. That realization inspired me to create a space where meaningful, focused work could happen outside the limitations of the school system.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

I’m Shayna Barksdale, founder and clinical director of Austin Therapy for Girls (ATFG). I’ve spent over two decades working with girls, young women, and their families—and my passion has always been helping them navigate the unique emotional landscape of growing up in today’s world. Before starting ATFG, I worked as a school social worker, where I saw firsthand how underserved tween and teen girls were when it came to accessible, specialized mental health support.

That experience led me to take the leap into private practice and eventually build a space designed just for them. At ATFG, we offer individual therapy, group therapy, summer intensives, and mother-daughter workshops with a focus on self-worth, emotional regulation, friendship challenges, anxiety, self-harm recovery, and body image. We use evidence-based approaches like CBT, ACT, EMDR, and EFFT—but more importantly, we meet girls where they are, with compassion, creativity, and humor.

What sets us apart is that we don’t just treat symptoms—we build confidence, connection, and courage. We offer real tools for real life, and our office feels more like a supportive sanctuary than a clinical space. We also make it a priority to collaborate with families, because healing doesn’t happen in isolation.

I’m most proud of creating a place where girls feel seen, heard, and celebrated exactly as they are. Watching our clients grow into resilient, self-aware young women is the heart of our work. If you’re a parent, educator, or teen looking for a therapist who truly gets the chaos and beauty of girlhood—ATFG is here for you.

What’s been the most effective strategy for growing your clientele?

I’ve found that the most effective strategy in business is staying aligned with your core values. For me, those values are love and trust. Whether I’m making decisions about my practice or working with clients, I consistently come back to this question: How would I want to be treated if this were my own daughter? These values guide every relationship I build—often putting connection before profit, which isn’t always easy, but it’s always right for me and the work I do.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

Resilience has shown up many times throughout my personal and professional life, often in ways that tested me deeply. One defining season was during the global pandemic. Like so many others, I was navigating the unknown—but in my case, I was also working to protect my elderly mother, keep my business afloat, and ensure financial stability for the five amazing therapists who work with me. The weight of responsibility felt immense, and yet, it pushed me to lead with both strategy and heart.

On a personal level, one of my greatest challenges has been my journey with infertility. It’s a path filled with hope, grief, and profound reflection—and it has shaped how I show up for others in their most vulnerable moments. That experience taught me how to hold space for both pain and resilience in the same breath.

These moments, though difficult, have strengthened my commitment to the work I do every day—helping girls and families find their own version of resilience, courage, and healing.

One of the chapters in my book, Pink Chaos, is dedicated to the theme of building resilience—a concept that runs throughout both my personal journey and professional work.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://austintherapyforgirls.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/austintherapyforgirls
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shayna-barksdale-lcsw-23020433/