Leadership at Relational Therapy Collective | Dallas, TX
A Letter from Leadership
Welcome to Relational Therapy Collective, PLLC (RTC). We are honored that you are here and that you are exploring the work we do. At RTC, we believe in the power of relationships to heal, grow, and transform lives—and we bring that same philosophy to how we lead, collaborate, and care for our team. Transformation unfolds most powerfully in connection.
Leadership at RTC is shared, complementary, and grounded in collective stewardship. Our roles are distinct but deeply interconnected: Deborah, as Executive Director, ensures the practice thrives at the intersection of systemic leadership, innovation, and operational excellence. Sharla, as Director of Clinical Care, safeguards the quality of clinical services, mentors our clinicians, and upholds the highest standards of ethics and systemic practice. Together, we cultivate a culture of trust, accountability, and compassion—ensuring our team is supported so our clients receive the very best of our care.
Sharla captures our collaboration gracefully:
“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. Together, they create something richer than either alone. I’m still not entirely sure which one of us is the peanut butter and which is the honey—it probably depends on the day! But what is certain is that we bring out the best in one another, and that’s what makes our partnership work—and extraordinary.”
We are grounded in the conviction that we are stronger together. This balance reflects how we approach shared leadership across RTC. We believe that strong leadership is relational: when we support and empower our clinicians, we nurture collaboration across the team, and honor every individual’s strengths and contributions, our clients experience the most meaningful and transformative care possible. Our shared commitment to one another and to our clients—creates something far greater than the sum of its parts. Many clients describe our partnership as a “Dream Team”—a reflection of what emerges when relationships are nurtured with intention, respect, and systemic perspective.
We invite you to explore our practice, our philosophy, and our team. At RTC, we are not simply a therapy practice—we are a collective dedicated to systemic healing, lasting change, and excellence in both clinical care and human connection.
With warmth and gratitude,
Executive Director: Dr. Deborah Holt, PhD, LMFT-S
Deborah, our Executive Director, brings a dynamic, inclusive, and unassuming leadership to our group. With a wealth of entrepreneurial experience and thriving private practices, she ensures we operate at the leading edge of therapeutic innovation. Her keen intellect, powerful empathy, masterful therapeutic abilities, and visionary perspective drive our practice to excel in the ever-evolving landscape of mental health care. Deborah’s leadership expertise, business acumen, and her unwavering commitment to excellence—both clinically and operationally—distinguish us in providing the highest standard of care. Raised in two cultural worlds, Deborah holds a systems-oriented worldview that honors interconnectedness and relational strength. She champions generosity, mutual support, and collective stewardship through shared leadership as the foundation of lasting success. Guided by fierce resilience and genuine care, Deborah embraces every opportunity to learn and grow alongside her team and clients—exemplifying the kind of leader our field truly needs.
Director of Clinical Care: Sharla Austin, MS, LMFT
Sharla, our Director of Clinical Care, draws from her extensive clinical and supervisory experience, and her active engagement in professional affiliations, to nurture a culture of compassion and professionalism in our therapy sessions. Her guidance and mentorship empowers our clinicians, ensuring our practice remains at the forefront of clinical care. She is dedicated in upholding the highest professional standards encompassing ethical codes, best practices, state laws, HIPAA compliance, licensing regulations, and professional integrity to enhance the quality of care for both our team and clients. Sharla’s gift of humility and forbearance, tender and empathic presence, and remarkable interpersonal ability to connect with and recognize the strengths of others fosters a safe environment in which our clinicians and clients alike feel genuinely seen and deeply understood.