Hi, I’m Shakira Maldonado, a Licensed Mental Health Counselor in New York and Florida. I support adults who are navigating anxiety, depression, life transitions, and relationship challenges. My work is rooted in helping clients reconnect with themselves, gain clarity, and build a life that feels more grounded, empowered, and aligned with who they truly are. I offer a warm, collaborative, and culturally responsive approach to therapy. No two people are the same, which is why I tailor each session to your unique needs. I draw from evidence-based practices like cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), psychodynamic therapy, mindfulness, and somatic techniques to help you explore the root of your struggles and move toward healing in a way that feels meaningful and manageable. Many of the individuals I work with come to me feeling emotionally stuck — whether that’s in their personal life, their career, or their relationships. You might find yourself constantly overthinking, struggling to set boundaries, or repeating cycles that leave you feeling defeated. In our work together, we’ll explore these patterns with curiosity and compassion, not judgment. I also support clients navigating grief, childhood wounds, family dynamics, identity issues, and burnout. If you're someone who has always felt the need to "hold it all together" for others, therapy can be the space where you finally get to be held. Whether you’re new to therapy or returning after time away, you’re welcome here. My goal is to help you feel more connected — to yourself, your values, and the life you want to build. Healing is not a straight line, but you don’t have to walk it alone. I’d be honored to walk alongside you.

What can clients expect to take away from sessions with you?

The first session is all about creating a safe, welcoming space where you can begin to share your story at your own pace. There’s no pressure to dive into everything all at once — we go slow, and I meet you exactly where you are. We’ll start by reviewing some basic information, including your intake form, confidentiality, and what brings you to therapy. From there, we’ll begin to explore your goals, what you’ve been struggling with, and what you hope to gain from our work together. I may ask questions about your current stressors, your emotional history, your relationships, and how you’ve been coping day to day — but only what you feel comfortable sharing. This first session is also a chance for you to get a feel for how I work. I encourage you to ask questions, share what has (or hasn’t) worked in past therapy experiences, and let me know what you need to feel supported. My approach is collaborative and relational, so your feedback is always welcomed and valued. By the end of our session, we’ll talk about next steps — whether that’s setting some initial goals, scheduling a follow-up, or identifying specific areas to begin exploring in future sessions. You don’t need to prepare anything in advance, and there’s no “right” way to show up. Just come as you are. Above all, my priority is that you leave your first session feeling heard, respected, and supported — knowing that you’ve taken a brave first step toward healing and self-discovery.

Explain to clients what areas you feel are your biggest strengths.

As a provider, I believe my greatest strengths lie in my ability to create a safe, compassionate, and judgment-free space where clients feel genuinely seen and heard. I bring my full self into the room — not just as a clinician, but as a human who understands how messy, painful, and beautiful the healing journey can be. My clients often tell me they feel comfortable opening up with me in ways they haven’t been able to with others, and I take that as a deep honor and responsibility. One of my core strengths is my ability to listen deeply. I don’t just hear the words being said — I listen for what’s beneath them. I pay attention to tone, pauses, shifts in energy, and body language. I notice the stories clients tell themselves, often unconsciously, and help bring awareness to patterns that may be keeping them stuck. This kind of attuned listening helps me connect the dots with clients and offer reflections that feel meaningful and validating. Another strength I bring to the therapeutic space is emotional intelligence and cultural sensitivity. I understand that every client comes in with their own layered identity, lived experiences, and worldview. As a woman of color and first-generation professional, I’m especially attuned to the challenges of navigating intergenerational trauma, family roles, systemic stress, and the pressure to be “strong” even when you’re hurting inside. I hold space for the complexity of all these experiences and create a space where clients

Describe the client(s) you are best positioned to serve.

I specialize in working with adults who are navigating complex emotional landscapes — individuals who may appear high-functioning and put-together on the outside, but internally feel overwhelmed, anxious, disconnected, or lost. Many of my clients have spent years taking care of others, suppressing their own needs, or pushing through emotional pain in silence. Eventually, that coping style starts to feel heavy, and that’s where I come in — to support people as they begin to untangle the emotional weight they’ve been carrying and reconnect with their inner selves. I work best with clients who are ready to start putting themselves first. They may not know how just yet, but they’re open to the idea that there could be a different way to live, relate, and feel. They’re tired of the cycles — the anxiety, the people-pleasing, the burnout, the emotional disconnection — and are looking for a safe place to explore how they got here and where they want to go next. Many of the individuals I support identify as nurturers, helpers, or achievers — people who often prioritize others at the expense of their own needs. You may be the person who holds everything together, the one who keeps smiling while breaking down inside, or the one who always seems “okay” but is constantly overthinking and feeling emotionally drained. Maybe you're used to saying “yes” when you want to say “no” or feel guilty when you take up space or ask for help. These experiences are more common than we talk about — and you deserve a space to process them honestly. I also work extensively with adults experiencing anxiety and depression. These symptoms don’t always show up in obvious ways. Sometimes they look like perfectionism, chronic exhaustion, irritability, detachment, or even physical symptoms like headaches or chest tightness. I help clients slow down and tune into their bodies and thoughts with curiosity, not judgment. Together, we explore the root causes of these patterns, how they’ve served you in the past, and how to start creating more ease in your present life. Life transitions are another area where I offer support — whether you’re becoming a new parent, grieving a loss, starting over after a breakup, relocating, changing careers, or shifting your identity. Transitions often bring up big questions about who we are and where we’re going, and it’s normal to feel lost or unsure. I help clients ground themselves through those uncertain seasons while making space for both grief and growth.

About Shakira Maldonado