LCSW, 5 years of experience
Hi, my name is Shahnoor! I am an LCSW with a Master's degree from USC and a background in Sociology and Gender Studies from UCLA. My approach to therapy is rooted in decolonized, trauma-informed care that recognizes the intersections of identity, culture, and experience. I work collaboratively with clients to explore their unique challenges, offering a safe and supportive space for healing, growth, and self-discovery. Together, we’ll navigate the complexities of life with a focus on empowerment, resilience, and authentic well-being.
In our first therapy appointment, we’ll take time to get to know each other and establish a foundation of trust. We’ll go over your history, exploring your past experiences, challenges, and any factors that may be impacting your current well-being. This session is a chance for me to listen to your story, understand your goals for therapy, and answer any questions you may have. Together, we'll discuss how we can work in partnership to support your healing, growth, and empowerment. It’s the first step toward creating a safe, nonjudgmental space for your journey.
My greatest strengths as a provider include my use of solution-focused therapy, which emphasizes practical strategies and actionable steps to help clients move forward. I also take a decolonized approach to therapy, ensuring that I honor each client’s unique cultural, historical, and personal context. I hold clients accountable from a place of compassion, encouraging growth and responsibility. As an intersectional feminist, I approach therapy with an understanding of the complexities of identity and systemic challenges. I incorporate homework assignments to reinforce learning and continuously update my practice through evidence-based methods and ongoing training to best support my clients.
As a therapist, I am best positioned to serve women, queer individuals, neurodivergent clients, and those with a spiritual/holistic or decolonized approach to healing. I work with clients navigating dark times, including those experiencing suicidal ideation, emotional overwhelm, or complex trauma. My approach is trauma-informed and holistic, integrating culturally sensitive care that acknowledges each individual's unique identity and lived experience. I create a safe, nonjudgmental space where clients can explore and heal from their deepest struggles, while honoring their resilience, strengths, and autonomy in the therapeutic process.
I use Psychodynamic Therapy to help clients uncover patterns in their thoughts, emotions, and relationships that might be rooted in past experiences. A lot of the work involves exploring how unconscious beliefs or unresolved conflicts show up in their daily lives. I create a space where clients can reflect, gain insight, and work through emotions they might not have fully processed before. The goal is to help them understand themselves on a deeper level and make lasting changes, not just manage surface-level symptoms.
I take a gentle, client-centered approach to trauma-informed care, knowing that healing happens at its own pace. My focus is on creating a space where clients feel safe, heard, and in control of their journey. I help them recognize how past experiences may be shaping their present while giving them the tools to manage triggers and build resilience. Rather than rushing the process, I honor their story, letting them lead while offering support, warmth, and a sense of stability along the way while taking a de-colonized approach.
I take a structured yet flexible approach to Solution-Focused Brief Therapy, helping clients identify clear, actionable goals from the start. We work together to break challenges into manageable steps, and I track progress using spreadsheets to keep everything organized and measurable. I also assign practical homework—whether it’s trying a new coping skill, having a tough conversation, or engaging in self-reflection so clients can apply what we discuss in real life. My goal is to keep therapy forward-focused and empowering, helping clients build on their strengths and see real changes.
I take a mind-body approach to therapy, recognizing how deeply our emotions and physical experiences are connected. I help clients tune into their bodies through practices like breathwork, mindfulness, and somatic techniques, allowing them to process emotions in a way that feels natural and grounding. I also encourage real-world integration by assigning activities that promote mind-body awareness, such as movement exercises, journaling, or sensory-based relaxation techniques. By blending psychological insight with bodily awareness, I help clients develop a deeper sense of balance, resilience, and emotional well-being.
My approach to Feminist Therapy is deeply rooted in empowerment, intersectionality, self-awareness, and decolonization. I help clients explore how cultural expectations, systemic oppression, and personal identity shape their experiences, creating a space where they feel truly seen and validated. Together, we challenge harmful narratives, set meaningful goals, and practice real-world skills like boundary-setting and self-advocacy. My goal is to help clients reconnect with their inner strength, embrace their full selves, and navigate life with confidence and self-trust.
2 ratings with written reviews
May 20, 2025
Shahnoor is the absolute best person to have on your team if you're ready to grow and challenge yourself. She provides a safe, affirming, and empowering space for you to be both vulnerable and courageous to help you face/own your truths and is fiercely compassionate as she challenges you to be at your growth edges. She is a creative genius in how she listens/supports clients to meet them where they are at and tailors techniques/approaches that resonate with their healing and growth journeys.
May 14, 2025
Shahnoor is the type of therapist that I have been looking for over 2 years for. She is organized, so empathetic, well-prepared but also always willing to skillfully pivot and reshape a session on the spot when needed! Truly I have felt so much more understood and understand myself better in 4 sessions with her than 2 years with multiple therapists.