Reproductive Psychotherapist, Third Party Reproduction Consultant

Sarah Deal, PhD, LPC

Hello RPC Community! Being in the field of Counseling and Psychology for 21 years, I stumbled upon the area of fertility and infertility about 10 years ago when I was seeing a counseling patient that had undergone numerous fertility treatments and experienced several losses. I realized then that I needed more training and knowledge to facilitate growth and healing for these particular experiences. Since then, I strive to continue to expand this expertise in my private practice, with one of my specialty areas being infertility and reproductive trauma counseling. Advocating for individuals and couples struggling to become parents is a passion of mine.

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Before moving to Austin in 2012, I was a Tenured, Associate Professor of Psychology & Counseling at Northeastern State University in Oklahoma. After moving to Austin, my partner and I experienced our own fertility struggles, and became patients in the world of numerous fertility treatments over several years. Personally, I’ve been through the roller coaster of fertility treatments, the pain of recurrent losses, and ultimately, the tremendous joy and triumph of creating a family against the odds.

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In my free time, I love creating beautiful spaces where I can see results, such as interior design and gardening. Travel is an absolute passion of mine as I strive to expand my worldview and life experiences. Food. I'm a foodie. I love to cook and sample cuisines from all over the globe. Most of all, I love spending time with my family outdoors. Nature -it's my thing. Oh, and I have four dogs. I'm a dog person.

Education, Training and Noted Accomplishments

Education

2005: Ph.D. in Counseling from St. Mary’s University in San Antonio, Texas
1999: M.A. in Clinical Psychology from St. Mary’s University in San Antonio, Texas
1996: B.S. in Psychology from Texas Christian University in Fort Worth, Texas

Noted accomplishments

2012- Current: Re-opened private practice in Austin – Two Rivers Psychotherapy/TRP Wellness PLLC
2012-2016: Taught in the Masters of Arts in Counseling Program (MAC) at St. Edwards University in Austin, particularly Counseling Skills & Techniques courses, Abnormal Psychology, and Counseling Theories; Adjunct Professor
2016: Completed Holding Space for Pregnancy Loss training by the Institute for the Study of Birth, Breath, and Death
2013-2014: Mentored by Dr. Lauren Berman through the MHPG in ASRM
2008-2012: Opened private practice in Oklahoma – Two Rivers Psychotherapy
2008: Keynote Speaker – Oklahoma Counseling Association – Providing Culturally Sensitive Counseling to the LGBTQ+ Community (back then it was just LGBT)
2005-2012: Associate Professor of Psychology & Counseling at Northeastern State University in Oklahoma; Received Tenure in 2011 – taught graduate students pursuing licensure as LPC’s as well as school counselors in training. Supervised numerous former graduate students while accumulating their internship hours.
2004-2005: Counselor Intern; Mental Health Clinic at University of the Incarnate Word and their associated High School for girls
2003: Counselor Intern at Bexar County Juvenile Justice Academy – mental health counseling for at-risk adolescents and their families
2003-2005: Counselor for Community Agency – provided counseling for various shelters throughout San Antonio, particularly the Battered Women’s Shelter
2003-2012: Numerous (12) professional presentations at various conferences, presenting on topics such as Effective Graduate Student Teaching Strategies; Infertility Counseling; Providing Culturally Sensitive Counseling to the GLBTQ+ Community; Ecotherapy; Integrating Spirituality into Counseling
2002-2005: Taught Adjunct at various universities – St. Mary’s Psych Department; University of the Incarnate Word Psych dept.; Our Lady of the Lake University Psych Dept.
2000: Adjunct Professor in Psych Dept. at Lee College in Baytown, Texas (My 1st teaching gig - this is where I discovered my love of teaching)
1998-1999: Internship at San Antonio State Psychiatric Hospital, Adolescent Unit – mainly conducted various psychological testing and ran some groups
1998-2000: Research II Assistant at Community Pediatrics (part of the Mental Sciences Institute of San Antonio)
1998-1999: Psychological Associate for The Psychological Corporation – administered various achievement and psychological tests to establish normative samples.

Memberships

ASRM (Mental Health Professional Group); RESOLVE; Capital Area Psychological Association