Learn Boldly. Heal Unapologetically.

Courses, CEUs, and coaching for therapists, leaders, and everyday folks ready to walk in truth.

About Us

The Barefoot Academy is a culturally grounded learning space where truth, healing, and professional growth walk hand in hand.

Founded by Sharde’ O’Rourke, LMFT, LPC, CCTP, and lifelong truth-teller, The Barefoot Academy offers continuing education (CEU) courses, coaching programs, and self-guided tools designed for therapists, helping professionals, and everyday leaders who want to live and work in alignment with their values.

Our work is rooted in the belief that knowledge should liberate—not complicate. We strip away the fluff, ditch the academic jargon, and center real-life application, cultural integrity, and intentional living.

Here, we teach through the lens of lived experience, Black brilliance, and radical honesty. Whether you’re learning how to support your clients better, unlearning patterns that no longer serve you, or reclaiming your own voice—The Barefoot Academy is where you come home to yourself, barefoot and unmasked.

We don’t teach to impress. We teach to impact. And we walk this journey with you, every intentional step of the way.

“We are where healing meets hustle, and learning meets legacy."


Our Approach

Why we are different.

We don’t do surface. At The Barefoot Academy, we teach from lived experience, cultural wisdom, and clinical excellence—not outdated textbooks and performative workshops. Our courses are intentionally designed to be practical, unfiltered, and rooted in truth. We center Black voices, challenge outdated systems, and help you unlearn what no longer serves you—so you can show up with confidence, clarity, and integrity. This is learning that meets you where you are and pushes you to grow, barefoot and unmasked.

What We Offer / Services Overview

  • Self-Guided Learning or Digital Products

    Healing and learning at your own pace, on your own terms. Explore downloadable courses, journals, and self-reflection tools designed to help you grow, reset, and reclaim your power—whenever and wherever you're ready.

  • CEU Courses

    Our NBCC-approved CEU courses are culturally relevant, experiential, and rooted in real-life practice. No fluff, no filler—just bold education that sticks.

  • Coaching & Consultation

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FAQ

  • Who is The Barefoot Academy for?

    The Barefoot Academy is for therapists, coaches, educators, and everyday people committed to healing, learning, and leading with integrity. Whether you're earning CEUs, building your confidence, or just tired of surface-level self-help, this space is for you—especially if you value cultural relevance, real talk, and intentional growth.

  • Are your courses approved for CEUs?

    Yes. We offer NBCC-approved CEU courses for licensed clinicians, including LPCs, LMFTs, and LCSWs. Each course clearly lists the number of CE hours provided and certificate instructions. If you’re here to learn without the license, don’t worry—our content is still transformational.

  • What makes your courses different from other trainings?

    We teach from the soul, not the ivory tower. Every course is rooted in real-life application, cultural humility, and deep reflection. We blend theory with lived experience, and we don’t water things down to make folks comfortable. You’ll walk away with tools you can use, conversations that challenge you, and growth you can feel. Plus, we offer exclusive course bundles that include 1:1 coaching or personalized training directly with Sharde’—because sometimes you need more than content. You need connection, guidance, and someone who’s been there to walk beside you.

Testimonials

“"While taking the awareness of boundaries course I developed key skills to identify what boundaries are and how it affects my life. It was interesting to understand how boundaries can be negative and positive. I was able to identify that sometimes have create boundaries that my loved ones might not be aware about and how often times I use some negative boundaries. After taking this course, I was able to now communicate effectively with my loved ones what my boundaries are and identify when I display negative boundaries towards my loved ones. This course was very helpful and life changing. Thank you."”

Summer P.

“"While taking the awareness of boundaries course I developed key skills to identify what boundaries are and how it affects my life. It was interesting to understand how boundaries can be negative and positive. I was able to identify that sometimes have create boundaries that my loved ones might not be aware about and how often times I use some negative boundaries. After taking this course, I was able to now communicate effectively with my loved ones what my boundaries are and identify when I display negative boundaries towards my loved ones. This course was very helpful and life changing. Thank you."”

Stevie H.

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