LCSW, 6 years of experience
Whether you’re struggling with overwhelm, burnout, depression, anxiety, trauma, grief, relationships, or adjustments to what I like to call the kiss/slap of life, we (you & I) have the ability to traverse these issues and find perspective, prosperity, and peace. I’m Shadya, a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW) and therapist, who has a bachelor’s degree in psychology and sociology from the University of CA Davis, and a Master’s in social work, with a specialty in mental health and addiction, from Simmons University in Boston, MA. I tend to utilize multiple approaches and modalities to work collaterally with my clients to aid in the realization of their ideals of betterment. I have more than 10 years of experience working with folks of different demographics and communities, who have struggled with varying degrees of mental health distress. With me, you will be centered as the expert of your own life, while my aim is to humbly use my body of knowledge to aid in the opening of doors in the spaces where you may perceive only barriers. It may help you to know I came to this work organically as I have grown, healed, and become a better version of myself through my own engagement in the therapeutic process. I fanatically believe in the power of aligning with mental health professionals, and I’ve had the privilege to bear witness to clients become who they want to be, learn to live how they choose, fall in love with themselves, and sometimes, slay dragons. You inherently have within you the potential to do the same. Make an appointment, and let’s see where we can begin. *All identities, orientations, quirks, and kinks are profoundly welcome.
You can always expect a safe space to explore where you are, where you’ve been, and where you want to be with someone who will work to understand, hear, and see you. When we first begin the goal is to get to know one another and then establish what you hope to gain from therapy. From there we will continue to explore your strengths and challenges and develop a plan for our work together. I’ll do my part to bring in evidence-based resources and ideas that may affirm, refine, challenge, or change some of your ideas and we’ll work together to determine what works best for you. It is my hope that you’ll take with you more than you entered sessions with and are able to really feel at the very least a modicum of change within yourself or your particular set of circumstances.
I employ multiple/mixed approaches, modalities, and techniques, as one size does not fit all. This may include, but is not limited to: CBT, DBT, trauma informed care, ACT, motivational interviewing, solution-focused therapy, narrative therapy, psychodynamic therapy, and existential therapy. The over-arching determinate of which set of theories, tools, and interventions are useful in our work together is you, the individual. Who you are and what you want for yourself, along with your particular strengths and challenges, will illuminate which course of action may be most useful for the both of us in our sessions together.
Probably some of my biggest strengths are in my ability to shift perspectives and align to empathize and understand where my client is coming from, how they occupy their space, and sort of intuiting what they may need or want from me in a given moment. I do believe myself to have a proclivity for this work, but I would never rest on that alone. I work hard to practice this craft with integrity and good ethics, striving to continuously expand my knowledge and experience so that I can feel confident in the care that I offer.
I'll meet every client where they are, and do not have a particular population preference. I've worked with involuntary clients in the past, so working with folks who just want to be here feels like a gift!
4 ratings with written reviews
July 14, 2025
Shady was a breath of fresh air. I feel completely at ease sharing in a safe space with her.
May 8, 2025
I was looking for a Black woman as my therapist and I found Shadya-- been with her for years and she's been great to me! Very grateful to have her as a young Black woman navigating my identity and adulthood.
April 29, 2025
I have had a few sessions with my therapist and have found her to be very knowledgeable about addiction and mental health. She approaches our sessions with authenticity, and I feel safe, supported, and able to be fully honest and vulnerable with her. Her understanding and presence have been an important part of my healing process.