Founder of Austin Therapy for Girls Therapist for Tween & Teen Girls Author of Pink Chaos

Shayna Feldman Barksdale, LCSW, is the founder of Austin Therapy for Girls, a boutique therapy practice dedicated to supporting tween and teen girls through the ups, downs, and full-blown chaos of adolescence. With over 30 years of clinical experience, Shayna is known for her honest, relatable, and empowering approach to therapy—especially when it comes to anxiety, perfectionism, self-worth, and the ever-complex mother–daughter relationship.

Shayna holds a master’s degree in social work from Our Lady of the Lake University and is trained in Emotion-Focused Family Therapy (EFFT), EMDR, and The Daring Way™ (based on the research of Brené Brown). Whether she’s working one-on-one, with families, or in groups, her sessions blend clinical expertise with real-life conversations to help girls build emotional resilience, develop healthy relationships, and navigate Girl World with confidence and clarity.

She’s also the award-winning author of Pink Chaos: Navigating the Mother–Daughter Relationship with Your Tween, a refreshingly candid, therapist-tested guide for moms raising girls through one of the most vulnerable stages of life. Part memoir, part toolkit, Pink Chaos gives readers research-backed insights and practical strategies to strengthen the mother–daughter bond—without losing your mind in the process.

In 2012, Shayna founded Austin Therapy for Girls with one goal in mind: to create a safe, welcoming space where girls feel seen, heard, and supported—no matter what they’re going through. Her mission is to help every girl glow from the inside out, especially during the messiest and most meaningful moments of growing up.

When she’s not in session or speaking at conferences, you’ll likely find Shayna listening to ‘80s music, rewatching a scary movie, or spending time in her hometown of Austin with her husband and their two rescue pups.

“The butterfly does not look back upon its caterpillar self, either fondly or wistfully; it simply flies on.”

Guillermo del Toro

Founder of Austin Therapy for Girls Therapist for Tween & Teen Girls ... Read More

Michelle Corbett, LMFT received her Masters Degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from the University of Southern California in 1993. Along with her work at Austin Therapy for Girls, she is a school counselor in the Eanes School District. With her 20+ years of working with young children, teens, and families, Michelle enjoys creating a supportive and nurturing environment for self-growth and discovery.

Michelle understands that life can be hard and there are many things coming to children and families daily that can create a need for therapeutic support. Michelle works to help develop resiliency, self-awareness, and meaningful connections. Over the years, Michelle has used a variety of therapeutic approaches, including EMDR, play therapy, mindfulness, family systems, and CBT strategies in her work. Michelle enjoys working with individual children and teens, as well as the whole family through coaching and consultation. She also sees the benefits of working with teachers, counselors, and educators to support the whole person.

Michelle is originally from the Carolina’s before moving to Virginia, then California to earn her masters degree. She moved to Austin in 2008 and feels that it is the perfect place to raise her family. In her free time, she enjoys walking, reading, making candles, listening to podcasts and spending time with her family and pets.

Michelle Corbett, LMFT received her Masters Degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from the Univer... Read More

Kimberly Eerkes is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) who has called Austin home for more than 30 years. Though she lived a nomadic lifestyle early on, Austin became her anchor after earning her Master’s degree from the University of Texas. Over three decades later, she’s still surprised—and grateful—that she’s rooted here, supporting her community in countless ways.

Professional Experience Kimberly has dedicated over a decade to working with preteens, teens, and families in the public school system, helping them navigate depression, anxiety, stress, and difficult life events. She has also provided counseling across both the public and private sectors, supporting individuals through challenges such as grief, relationship struggles, work stress, substance use, and other mental health concerns.

Her clinical toolkit includes evidence-based practices such as:

Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)

Solution-Focused Brief Therapy

No matter the approach, Kimberly centers her work on connection—both to oneself and to others—as a vital part of healing.

Guiding Values Kimberly’s favorite number is 7, but she also carries five guiding words that shape her work:

Hope, Possibility, Purpose, Empowerment, and Advocacy.

She weaves these values into every session, helping clients show up as their best selves across all areas of life.

Collecting and sharing inspiring quotes

A few of her favorites include:

“Gentleness clears the soul, love cleans the mind and makes it free.” — David Bowie

“Courage is not the lack of fear. It is acting in spite of it.” — Mark Twain

“Think vastly, act narrowly.” — Binderiya

✨ Kimberly believes that therapy is not about perfection, but about creating space for growth, resilience, and meaningful connection.

Kimberly Eerkes is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) who has called Austin home for more t... Read More

Betsy Macdonald is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and native Austinite with more than 15 years of experience supporting tweens, teens, and their families. She is passionate about helping girls build confidence, resilience, and healthy coping skills as they navigate the ups and downs of adolescence.

Betsy specializes in working with girls around issues such as anxiety, stress, self-esteem, friendship struggles, and family transitions. Her background in hospital and residential treatment settings gives her a unique insight into supporting families facing medical trauma, chronic illness, and substance use concerns.

Grounded in a strengths-based, relational, and trauma-informed approach, Betsy creates a space where teens feel safe to explore emotions, discover their voice, and develop lasting coping skills. She takes a collaborative care approach, working with parents to enhance communication, reduce conflict and foster stronger family connections.

As a mom to two high schoolers and one college student, Betsy understands firsthand the joys and challenges that come with the teenage years. Her approach is warm and authentic, helping both teens and parents feel understood and supported as they grow together.

Betsy Macdonald is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and native Austinite with more than 15 years... Read More

Molly Mead is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who has called Austin home since 2016, when she moved to attend the Steve Hicks School of Social Work at The University of Texas. Since then, she has worked in various areas of the social work field, but found her passion in private practice, where she builds meaningful relationships with clients and their families to support lasting, positive change. She brings curiosity, kindness, and humor into every session.

Molly specializes in treating anxiety disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), emetophobia, sleep difficulties, self-esteem issues, and friendship struggles in children, teens, and young adults. She is trained in Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP)—the gold standard for OCD treatment—and uses it alongside Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Solution-Focused Brief Therapy to tailor each session to her clients’ unique needs and goals.

Molly also supports parents through SPACE (Supportive Parenting for Anxious Childhood Emotions), a highly effective, evidence-based coaching model for families navigating childhood anxiety and OCD.

Molly views therapy as a collaborative learning process and acts as a compassionate cheerleader, helping clients embrace radical self-acceptance while building the skills they need to grow.

Outside the therapy room, Molly enjoys long walks, listening to pop culture podcasts, reality TV (her guilty pleasure), baking, and hanging out with her joyful 75-lb dog, Ozzie. You can follow her baking adventures on Instagram at @mollymade.atx for a sweet peek into her creative side!

Molly Mead is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who has called Austin home since 2016, when she m... Read More

A proud Austinite for over twenty five years, Alma brings deep roots in the community and a passion for helping others thrive. Fully bilingual in English and Spanish, she creates an inclusive, welcoming space for clients and families from all backgrounds.

Alma draws from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), EMDR, and Solution-Focused Brief Therapy to help girls and women discover their strengths, build resilience, and improve relationships. Her work is grounded in cultural sensitivity, social justice, and a genuine belief in each client’s capacity to grow and heal.

Outside the therapy room, Alma is a proud mom of three boys who attend AISD dual-language schools—and she’s rarely without her beloved Boston Terrier, Frank, by her side.

A proud Austinite for over twenty five years, Alma brings deep roots in the community and a passi... Read More

Meet Alicia Moore! Part therapist, part coach, part detective. Alicia has a knack for getting to the root of meltdowns, anxiety, and those “I don’t want to talk about it” moments. With a Masters in Education and Clinical Social Work, Alicia doesn’t just listen, she strategizes, problem-solves, and helps clients feel understood.

She’s also an emotional detective for parents, helping them crack the code on what’s really behind their child’s meltdowns, shutdowns, and “I don’t know” responses. Her approach is strength-based and practical, using creative strategies to help clients heal, grow, and build the confidence they need to move forward.

As a former educator, Alicia understands the school system. She helps students manage academic stress, executive functioning challenges, and school-related anxiety while also guiding parents through the 504/IEP process and advocating for the support their child needs.

Alicia adapts each therapy session to fit the client, using movement, creative activities, or talk therapy to make healing feel natural and effective. She also helps kids, tweens, and teens navigate friendships, peer pressure, and social challenges with confidence.

Specialties:

Athlete Mental Performance: As a former college athlete, coach, and strength and conditioning specialist, Alicia knows the mental game is just as tough as the physical one. She helps athletes break through performance anxiety, perfectionism, and fear of failure so they can compete with confidence, stay focused under pressure, and find balance beyond their sport. Movement-Based Therapy: Because emotions don’t just live in the brain, they also live in the body. Trauma-Focused Work: Helping clients work through PTSD, anxiety, emotional neglect, abuse, and the unseen wounds that linger from childhood. Trauma isn’t just something that happens. It’s something the nervous system holds onto. Through somatic work, talk therapy, and creative approaches, Alicia helps clients move from survival mode to healing. Creative Therapy Approaches: Play, sensory work, and out-of-the-box strategies for those who hate traditional therapy. Parent Sessions That Make a Difference: Parenting a child who is struggling can feel overwhelming, but you don’t have to figure it out alone. Alicia works alongside parents to decode behaviors, uncover what’s really driving emotional struggles, and create strategies that actually help at home and at school. Whether it’s navigating school accommodations, advocating for your child’s needs, or strengthening parent-child communication, Alicia provides real, practical guidance without the judgment or fluff. Though Austin Therapy for Girls is in the name, Alicia also works with boys and adults. If you’re curious about how her approach could support your child or your whole family, schedule a parent session to see if she’s the right fit.

Meet Alicia Moore! Part therapist, part coach, part detective. Alicia has a knack for getting to... Read More

Emily Redd, LMSW, will be joining Austin Therapy for Girls in April 2025, in addition to serving as the wellness counselor at a local AISD elementary school. Emily earned her degree from the Steve Hicks School of Social Work at the University of Texas—Hook ‘em Horns! She brings a wealth of experience to ATFG, along with a Bachelor’s degree in Child Development from Vanderbilt University. Her focus is on assisting families as they navigate the challenges of the mental health journey, and she believes in a client-centered approach. Emily also holds a certification in CBT therapy for children and adolescents, and she will be supervised by Alma Mena, LCSW-S. Don’t forget to inquire about Emily’s dog, as we are all quite obsessed with her!

Emily Redd, LMSW, will be joining Austin Therapy for Girls in April 2025, in addition to serving ... Read More