I’m a Licensed Professional Counselor who supports individuals navigating the complex, tender terrain of reproductive identity—including fertility struggles, abortion, pregnancy loss, parenthood, or the choice to be childfree—as well as broader concerns like anxiety, depression, grief, and major life transitions. I work from a relational, trauma-informed, and feminist lens, and I am deeply affirming of LGBTQ+ and neurodivergent identities. Together, we make room for uncertainty, transformation, and the many layers of identity that can emerge in the process of living, healing, and becoming.
What can clients expect to take away from sessions with you?
In our first session, you can expect a warm, open space where we begin to get to know each other. I’ll invite you to share what brought you to therapy, any challenges or questions you’re currently navigating, and what you’re hoping to work on. We’ll also talk about your values, your goals, and if relevant, the context of your reproductive identity—whether that includes fertility, pregnancy, parenthood, or anything else that feels important. My goal is to build a strong, trusting foundation for our work together, where you feel heard and understood. You can expect that I’ll take a relational, trauma-informed approach, where your experiences are treated with care and respect. I’ll ask questions to get to know you more deeply, and we’ll start to explore ways of working that feel comfortable and supportive to you. I may offer some tools or suggestions, but most importantly, I want to ensure that you leave feeling like you’ve been seen and that we’ve begun a partnership that honors your journey.
Explain to clients what areas you feel are your biggest strengths.
I believe my greatest strengths as a provider lie in my ability to create a warm, compassionate space where clients feel truly seen and heard. I approach therapy with deep empathy, curiosity, and respect for each person’s unique journey, especially when it comes to navigating complex reproductive identity concerns. I’m also deeply committed to a trauma-informed and relational approach, ensuring that our work together is safe, collaborative, and empowering. Another strength is my ability to integrate different therapeutic modalities—such as narrative therapy, Cognitive Behavior Therapy, Dialectal Behavior Therapy, and feminist frameworks—in a way that feels tailored and flexible to each client’s needs. I strive to honor your voice and autonomy while also providing practical tools and strategies for healing, growth, and self-discovery. Ultimately, my goal is to walk alongside you in a way that feels authentic, supportive, and rooted in respect for your lived experience. As a neurodivergent, queer therapist, I’m especially passionate about supporting individuals in these communities. I bring a nuanced understanding of how identities shape experiences of reproductive health, grief, and healing, and I’m committed to offering care that is not only affirming but also attuned to the unique needs of each person. Having personally experienced pregnancy loss, I understand the profound emotional complexity of these experiences, which allows me to approach my clients with deep compassion and insight.
Describe the client(s) you are best positioned to serve.
I’m especially well-suited to support clients navigating complex and tender life experiences—whether that’s related to reproductive identity, major transitions, grief, identity exploration, or relationships. You might be questioning whether or how to become a parent, coping with loss or trauma, managing anxiety or depression, or simply seeking a deeper understanding of yourself. These experiences often come with layers of ambivalence, identity shifts, and pressure from cultural, familial, or systemic expectations—and I offer a space where all of that can be explored with care and without judgment. I warmly welcome queer, trans, nonbinary, and gender-expansive people; individuals and couples creating nontraditional families; and those whose experiences of disability, chronic illness, or neurodivergence shape how they move through the world. I recognize that not everyone sees themselves reflected in dominant narratives about identity, healing, or family—and I’m committed to holding space for your full story, in all its complexity.
About Shira Collings
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Feminist
My approach primarily draws from feminist and relational-cultural therapy, which means I view healing as something that happens through connection, empowerment, and understanding the impact of larger social and cultural systems on our lives. I believe that every person’s experiences are shaped not just by their personal history, but also by their identities, relationships, and the world around them. I often focus on exploring how these factors influence your thoughts, emotions, and behaviors, while also creating a safe and collaborative space where your voice is heard and respected.
Trauma Informed Care
I have extensive experience working with people who have experienced trauma, in particular reproductive trauma including infertility and pregnancy loss. I recognize that trauma can shape how we relate to ourselves, others, and the world. Being trauma-informed means I approach each client with curiosity rather than assumptions, and I work to honor their pace, their boundaries, and their inner wisdom. I’m attentive to power dynamics, both in the therapy room and in the broader systems that impact my clients’ lives, and I strive to hold space in a way that centers voice and choice.
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
I incorporate CBT as one of the tools in our work together, especially when it’s helpful to notice patterns between thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. It can be empowering to build awareness of unhelpful thinking habits and practice new ways of responding—both mentally and behaviorally—that feel more aligned with how you want to move through the world. While I don’t take a rigid or one-size-fits-all approach, CBT techniques can be really useful for building insight and supporting meaningful change, especially when paired with deeper emotional and relational work.
Dialectical Behavior (DBT)
I draw from DBT to support clients in building skills for managing intense emotions, navigating relationships, and staying grounded in the present moment. The practical tools from DBT—like mindfulness, emotion regulation, distress tolerance, and interpersonal effectiveness—can offer a sense of structure and stability, especially during times that feel overwhelming. I weave these skills into our work in a flexible, compassionate way, always staying attuned to your lived experience and what feels most supportive for you.
Narrative
I incorporate narrative therapy by helping clients explore the stories they hold about themselves—the ones shaped by personal experiences, relationships, culture, and systems. Together, we look at how these stories were formed, which ones feel limiting or painful, and how we might begin to re-author them in a way that honors your resilience, values, and hopes. For clients who’ve experienced trauma, I also draw from narrative exposure therapy, which involves gently and safely constructing a cohesive life narrative that includes the traumatic events—without letting them define the whole story. This process can support integration, reduce distress, and make space for a fuller sense of identity beyond the trauma.