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Creator of the BYRD Model™ and author of
Healing the Healers: The BYRD Model:  A Framework for Black and POC Clinicians for Somatic Trauma Healing, Rest & Liberation

Sharlisa Byrd is a  LMFT (CA & OR), SEP, TITC-CT, CCHt,  a Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist in California and Oregon, Somatic Experiencing Practitioner, Certified Clinical Traumatologist, Clinical Hypnotherapist, author, adjunct professor, and doctoral candidate in Clinical Sexology based in the San Francisco Bay Area.

She is the creator of the BYRD Model™ (Belonging, Yielding, Resilience, and Disruption), a culturally responsive and somatic framework designed to help individuals and clinicians understand how trauma lives in the body and how healing can emerge through nervous system regulation, rest, and embodied resilience.

She also the author of Healing the Healers: The BYRD Model: A Framework for Black and POC Clinicians for Somatic Trauma Healing, Rest & Liberation, a book that explores somatic trauma recovery, nervous system healing, and culturally rooted pathways to restoration for clinicians navigating the weight of caring for others within systems that often overlook their own wellbeing.

My work focuses on helping individuals, families, and fellow healers reconnect with their bodies, process unresolved trauma, and rebuild lives that feel grounded, meaningful, and aligned with their values.

Through an integrative approach combining Somatic Experiencing, EMDR, clinical hypnotherapy, and trauma-informed psychotherapy, She supports clients in gently processing the deeper patterns that keep anxiety, fear, and survival responses locked in the nervous system.

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Her developing work in clinical sexology deepens my commitment to understanding the intersection of trauma, the body, intimacy, and sexual wellbeing. This training supports my ability to approach healing through a whole-person lens that honors both emotional and embodied experiences.

She has experience supporting individuals navigating:

• Trauma and complex trauma
• Anxiety and chronic stress
• Depression and grief
• Domestic violence and sexual abuse recovery
• Attachment and relationship challenges
• Parenting and family dynamics
• Life transitions for children, adolescents, and young adults
• Cultural and identity-related stressors, including African American identity concerns
• Mind-body healing and nervous system regulation

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Her work integrates trauma science, somatic healing, cultural awareness, and compassionate clinical care, helping clients move beyond survival and toward restoration.

You can find my professional profiles on Psychology Today and Therapy for Black Girls, where I am honored to be part of a community of clinicians committed to culturally responsive and affirming care.

If you have questions about therapy for yourself or a loved one, please visit the FAQ section, where many common questions may already be answered. You are also welcome to reach out through the Contact page.

For organizations and professional groups, I am available for seminars, workshops, and speaking engagements focused on trauma, nervous system healing, clinician resilience, and culturally responsive care.

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Professional Contributions

In addition to her clinical work, Sharlisa contributes to the field through teaching, writing, and professional training. As an adjunct professor at the University of San Francisco, she teaches graduate-level counseling courses and supports the development of emerging clinicians.

Her work centers on the intersection of trauma, nervous system regulation, cultural identity, and somatic healing, helping clinicians and communities better understand how trauma lives in the body and how healing can unfold through safety, rest, and connection.

Through her writing, workshops, and the development of the BYRD Model™, Sharlisa is committed to advancing conversations about somatic resilience, culturally grounded trauma care, and sustainable healing for clinicians, particularly Black clinicians and clinicians of color working within systems that often overlook their wellbeing.

Her work continues to expand through speaking engagements, professional trainings, and ongoing research in clinical sexology, where she explores the connection between trauma, the body, intimacy, and healing.

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Education & Credentials

Education
BA- Liberal Studies
MA – Counseling Psychology, Palo Alto University
Doctoral Candidate – Clinical Sexology, International Institute of Clinical Sexology

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Licensure
Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist (LMFT) – California
Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist (LMFT) – Oregon

Professional Training
Somatic Experiencing Practitioner (SEP) – Somatic Experiencing International
EMDR Trained
Flash Technique Trained

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Certifications
Certified Clinical Traumatologist (TITC-CT)
Certified Clinical Hypnotherapist (CCHt)
Certified Professional Coach

Professional Roles
Adjunct Professor – University of San Francisco

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Media & Professional Engagements

Available for:

• Panel discussions
• Podcast interviews
• Professional workshops and trainings
• Article contributions
• Webinars and seminars
• Conference presentations
• Group facilitation and clinician trainings

Professional Profiles

You can also find my work on:

• Psychology Today
• Therapy for Black Girls
• LinkedIn
• Instagram (for updates on workshops, somatic healing resources, and upcoming trainings)

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At the heart of my work is a simple belief: when healers learn to return to their bodies, rest becomes possible, resilience becomes collective, and liberation becomes imaginable.