(she/her)
I am a Licensed Clinical Counselor in California with a doctorate in rehabilitation counselor education from Michigan State University. I have taught at three community colleges and four universities in the US. My book, Transgender Youth, was published in 2016 and I also co-authored a book, Trauma-Informed Care in 2021. I currently operate an online private practice providing therapy for anxiety, depression, and trauma to individuals in the BIPOC and LGBTQ+ communities. *If you would like a therapy session on a day and time that is not listed, send me a message to make an exception for you.
In our first session, I want to walk through the intake assessment with you instead of having you complete it and I read it before we meet. I find that individuals seeking therapy share more when I ask them a question versus reading the question on a page. At the end of the first session, I will ask about counseling goals, ask you to decide which goal to start with and develop a plan of action/treatment plan to help you feel better.
While I am a gentle and nurturing therapist, I also adjust how we work together based on your personality. There are times when I will deliver direct feedback as softly as I can depending on the circumstances. Most people are able to get to where they need to go with a year of working with me.
The clients that I find are a good fit with me include women of color and individuals in the gay and trans community who experience anxiety and depression due to childhood trauma.
Narrative
Narrative counseling externalizes problems, viewing them as separate entities versus part of the person. For example, we can name mental health issues and talk about them as a part of your life, "Miss Anxiety feels much better when there is a plan of action."
Trauma Informed Care
I am careful with questions, comments, and feedback to ensure you are not re-traumatized in therapy sessions.
Solution Focused Brief Treatment
If you have specific issues to address, we can create goals and objectives with actions steps to help you get there.
3 ratings with written reviews
March 13, 2026
I’m so thankful for Shemaya!
March 12, 2026
Always so understanding, supportive, and able to help me see the bigger picture and not just what is in front of me in the moment. Super inspirational and beautiful inside and out. Definitely a gem!
November 11, 2025
What stood out when selecting Mrs Shemaya Vaughn was her experience! I needed a therapist who I can be able to talk to about my issues with anxiety, depression and PTSD. I needed to talk to someone soon and she had an opening the very next day! I was so happy that choose Mrs Vaughn she is very empowering, intelligent, and authentic. I felt very comfortable talking to her about my issues without being afraid or judged. I trust Mrs Vaughn and I am very pleased with her being my therapist!