Meet Your Therapist Sarah Byrd: Mindful, Compassionate Support on Your Journey
Hello, Austin (and greater Texas! I'm Sarah Byrd, offering a warm welcome to you from Carlisle Collective. As a student intern therapist in my final semester in my Clinical Mental Health Counseling degree at Naropa University, I’m deeply committed to offering accessible, high-quality, and low-cost counseling in Austin and all throughout Texas to support our vibrant community.
My path to this work is rooted in a unique educational foundation. I’m earning my graduate degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Naropa University, a pioneer in integrating contemplative practices with clinical psychology. This means my approach is infused with mindfulness from the ground up, focusing not just on your symptoms during therapy sessions, but on cultivating awareness, compassion, and a deeper connection to your own inner wisdom.
My Therapeutic Approach: Integration & Inner Exploration
I fundamentally believe you are the expert on your own life. My role is to create a safe, non-judgmental space where we can collaborate to understand your story, ease your distress, and foster inner growth.
My work is primarily guided by two powerful, compassionate frameworks:
Mindfulness-Based Therapy: Drawing directly from my Naropa training, I help clients develop a kinder, more present relationship with their thoughts and emotions. This isn't about emptying your mind, but about learning to observe your inner experience with curiosity instead of criticism. It’s a foundational tool for managing anxiety, stress, and emotional overwhelm, allowing for greater choice and calm in daily life.
Internal Family Systems (IFS) Therapy: I have a particular affinity for this approach to understanding your inner world. IFS operates on the beautiful principle that we all have a core "Self" that is calm, confident, and compassionate. Sometimes, protective parts of us (like inner critics, anxious parts, or wounded parts) take over to cope with past hurts. In our work together, we’ll gently explore these parts, not to eliminate them, but to understand their protective roles and help them heal, restoring your inner groundedness and self-trust. It’s profound work for untangling complex feelings about self-worth, relationships, and life transitions.
How I Can Support You
Whether you're facing anxiety, navigating a life transition, processing relationship dynamics or going through a breakup,, or simply seeking greater self-understanding, I am here to support you in working through your experience. I work with individuals seeking to build resilience, improve their relationship with themselves, and move forward with more clarity and peace.
As a student intern in Austin under clinical supervision, I am passionate about providing affordable counseling in Texas without compromising depth or care. This internship allows me to offer a reduced fee, making supportive therapy more accessible.
If you're looking for a therapist in Austin or virtually in Texas who brings a mindful approach to our sessions, I would be honored to hear your story. Let’s explore how we can work together toward your healing.
Ready to take the next step? Visit carlislecollective.com/sarah-byrd today to schedule a complimentary consultation with me.
