Licensed to practice in 2 states and accepts 10 insurances. Specializes in Crisis Intervention, Life Transitions, Mood Disorders and 10 more.
Shalini Semento
New to Grow
Mental health care shouldn’t feel intimidating. My goal is to provide a warm, inviting, and judgment-free space where patients can show up exactly as they are. I take a patient-centered, approachable, and solution-focused approach that combines honest conversations with practical tools to help patients move forward. I believe in meeting patients where they’re at, building trust, and creating a safe vibe where people feel comfortable discussing life’s challenges. You’ll be treated with respect, compassion, and authenticity, just as I would want to be treated. Together, we’ll focus on realistic goals, personal growth, and lasting change in a supportive and welcoming environment.
Get to know me
In our first session together, here's what you can expect
During your first session, my primary goal is to get to know you and understand what brings you in. We’ll discuss your current concerns, personal history, goals for treatment, and any questions you may have about the process. This is also an opportunity for you to get a feel for my approach and determine whether we’re a good fit to work together. I strive to create a relaxed, judgment-free environment where you can feel comfortable sharing at your own pace. There is no pressure to have everything figured out or know exactly what to say. I will meet you where you are, listen with an open mind, and work collaboratively with you to develop a plan that aligns with your needs and goals. By the end of the session, you can expect to have a clearer understanding of next steps and how we can work together to support your mental health and overall well-being.
The biggest strengths that I bring into our sessions
One of my greatest strengths is my ability to connect with people from diverse backgrounds and life experiences. My military background has given me a deep appreciation for resilience, adaptability, discipline, and the unique challenges that individuals and families may face. My experience working in community mental health has further strengthened my ability to work with a wide range of diagnoses, life circumstances, and levels of need. I bring a warm, approachable, and nonjudgmental presence to every session while also being direct, objective, and solution-focused when needed. I believe in meeting people where they are and creating a safe space where they feel heard, respected, and supported. I am committed to treating every individual with dignity and compassion, just as I would want to be treated. I do not believe that any individual is “too difficult” or beyond help. Every person has a story, strengths, and the capacity for growth. My goal is to partner with patients to identify practical solutions, build on their strengths, overcome challenges, and create meaningful, lasting change.
The clients I'm best positioned to serve
I am best positioned to serve adults and older adults who are seeking a supportive, collaborative approach to improving their mental health and overall well-being. I work with individuals experiencing anxiety, depression, stress, trauma, life transitions, relationship challenges, grief, mood disorders, and difficulties related to work, family, or daily functioning. My practice is a good fit for individuals who value honest communication, practical solutions, and a provider who will meet them where they are without judgment. Whether you are navigating a recent challenge, managing a long-standing mental health condition, or looking to gain greater insight and balance in your life, I strive to provide care that is personalized, compassionate, and goal-oriented. I am particularly comfortable working with veterans, active-duty service members, first responders, healthcare professionals, and individuals with complex mental health needs. Drawing from my military and community mental health experience, I understand that healing looks different for everyone. I welcome individuals who may have felt overlooked, misunderstood, or discouraged in previous treatment experiences. Together, we will identify your goals, build on your strengths, and develop practical strategies that support meaningful and lasting progress. Other services include: In addition to psychotherapy services, I offer private-pay, one-time clinical assessments and evaluations for individuals seeking diagnostic clarification, treatment recommendations, or documentation for specific needs. *Psychological and Biopsychosocial Assessments * Mental Health Diagnostic Evaluations * PTSD and Trauma-Related Assessments * ADHD Assessments * Emotional Support Animal (ESA) Evaluations * Bariatric Surgery Psychological Evaluations * Clinical Evaluations and Written Reports for Personal, Medical, or Administrative Purposes These comprehensive assessments involve a clinical interview, review of relevant history, and evaluation of current functioning. Assessment services are conducted on a private-pay basis and may be completed independently of ongoing therapy services. Please contact the practice to discuss your specific needs, fees, and scheduling availability.
Specialties
Top specialties
Crisis Intervention
Life Transitions
Mood Disorders
Other specialties
Addiction
Anxiety
Career Counseling
Coping Skills
Men's Issues
Military/Veterans
Phobias
Self Esteem
Serious Mental Illness
Trauma and PTSD
I identify as
Asian / Asian American
Buddhist
Hindu
Person of Color (POC)
Woman
Serves ages
Adults (18 to 64)
Elders (65 and above)
Licensed in
Florida
Oklahoma
Accepts
Arlo
Cash - $75 per session
Centivo
Cigna
Cigna - HealthEZ
EAP:Cigna
EAP:Evernorth
Evernorth
GTEB
Tufts Health/Cigna
Location
Virtual
My treatment methods
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a practical, evidence-based approach to therapy that helps people understand the connection between their thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. Our thoughts influence how we feel and how we respond to life's challenges. Sometimes we develop patterns of thinking that can increase stress, anxiety, low mood, or self-doubt. CBT helps identify these patterns and teaches skills to challenge unhelpful thoughts, develop healthier perspectives, and make positive changes in daily life. CBT is a collaborative and goal-focused therapy. Together, we will explore current difficulties, identify patterns that may be keeping you stuck, and develop effective strategies to help you cope and move forward. The skills learned in CBT can be applied long after therapy ends, helping you build resilience and confidence in managing future challenges. CBT has been shown to be effective for a wide range of concerns, including anxiety, depression, stress, panic, phobias, low self-esteem, and life transitions. The goal of CBT is not to think positively all the time, but to think more realistically, respond more effectively, and create meaningful change.
Cognitive Behavior Therapy for Suicide Prevention (CBT-SP)
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Suicide Prevention (CBT-SP) is a specialized form of cognitive behavioral therapy designed to help individuals who have experienced suicidal thoughts, suicidal behaviors, or periods of intense emotional distress. CBT-SP focuses on understanding the thoughts, emotions, situations, and coping patterns that contribute to suicidal crises. Together, we identify triggers and warning signs, develop practical coping strategies, strengthen reasons for living, and create a personalized safety plan to help manage future challenges. This approach is collaborative, compassionate, and focused on building skills that promote safety, resilience, and hope. Rather than focusing only on symptoms, CBT-SP helps individuals develop effective ways to respond to emotional pain, solve problems, improve relationships, and navigate difficult situations. The goal of CBT-SP is to reduce the risk of future suicidal crises while helping individuals build a life that feels meaningful, connected, and worth living. Therapy provides a supportive space to develop the tools needed to manage distress, increase emotional well-being, and move toward personal goals.
EMDR
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is an evidence-based psychotherapy approach that helps people process and heal from distressing life experiences, trauma, and difficult memories. When overwhelming experiences occur, the brain may not fully process them, leaving memories, emotions, beliefs, and physical sensations feeling "stuck." These unprocessed experiences can continue to affect how we feel, think, and respond in the present. EMDR helps the brain reprocess these memories so they become less emotionally distressing and no longer have the same impact on daily life. During EMDR therapy, clients focus on specific memories while engaging in bilateral stimulation, such as guided eye movements, tapping, or auditory tones. This process supports the brain's natural ability to heal and integrate difficult experiences. EMDR is commonly used to treat trauma and post-traumatic stress, but it can also help with anxiety, panic, grief, low self-esteem, performance concerns, and other emotional challenges. EMDR does not erase memories. Instead, it helps reduce the emotional intensity associated with them, allowing individuals to move forward with greater confidence, resilience, and well-being.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-i)
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I) is an evidence-based treatment that helps people improve their sleep without relying on medication. It is considered the first-line treatment for chronic insomnia and has been shown to produce lasting improvements in sleep quality. Sleep difficulties are often influenced by a combination of thoughts, behaviors, habits, and stress. Over time, people may develop patterns that unintentionally make it harder to fall asleep, stay asleep, or return to sleep after waking during the night. CBT-I helps identify and change these patterns. Treatment typically includes strategies to improve sleep habits, establish a healthy sleep schedule, reduce behaviors that interfere with sleep, and address thoughts and worries that may contribute to insomnia. Clients also learn practical skills to manage stress and create conditions that support restful sleep. CBT-I is a structured, goal-oriented approach that helps individuals build healthy sleep patterns and regain confidence in their ability to sleep well. The goal is not simply to get more sleep, but to improve the quality, consistency, and overall effectiveness of sleep, leading to better health, energy, and daily functioning.
Prolonged Exposure Therapy
Prolonged Exposure (PE) Therapy is an evidence-based treatment designed to help individuals recover from trauma and reduce symptoms of post-traumatic stress. PE helps people gradually confront trauma-related memories, feelings, and situations that they may have been avoiding. After a traumatic experience, it is common to avoid reminders of what happened. While avoidance can provide temporary relief, it often keeps fear, anxiety, and distress going over time. PE helps individuals safely and gradually face these memories and situations in a structured and supportive way. Through the therapy process, clients learn that trauma-related memories and reminders, while uncomfortable, are not dangerous. As confidence grows and avoidance decreases, many people experience a reduction in anxiety, fear, shame, and other trauma-related symptoms. PE is a collaborative treatment that moves at a pace that feels manageable while helping clients build coping skills and resilience. The goal is not to relive the trauma, but to reduce its impact so that it no longer controls daily life. PE has been extensively researched and is considered one of the most effective treatments for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and trauma-related difficulties.