Founder

Greetings, 
​
My name is Shauna and I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) through the California Board of Behavioral Sciences (BBS).  I have a B.A. in International / Intercultural Studies and Psychology and an M.A. in Counseling Psychology with an emphasis in Spiritual Transformative African-Centered Psychology.  Since 2007, I have worked with diverse populations through community based mental health organizations and have focused on supporting people that have been disempowered and marginalized to achieve optimal health in mind, body, and spirit. This includes supporting people of all ages with liberation from thoughts and behaviors that may be harmful so they may ultimately reclaim personal their power.

I identify with being a Black, Chamorro, Cherokee, mixed, two-spirit/same gender loving female.  I am Catholic yet critical of oppression in religious and other systems.  I deeply value indigenous cosmologies.  I practice meditation, principles of Ma'at, loving-kindness, and gratitude.  I engage in regular rituals and nurture relationships with good ancestors.  I appreciate serving people that have diverse religions and spiritual beliefs and those that are not religious.  It is a great honor to work with diverse people and it is because of my intersecting identities and first-hand experience with confronting oppression that I can meet each individual I serve with compassion and without judgment to support their growth.  I know it is possible to heal from trauma/past harms and return to full humanity despite current barriers.  In my practice, I keep in mind the words of Marcus Garvey that is embedded in Bob Marley's Redemption Song, "emancipate yourself from mental slavery, none but ourselves can free our minds."   I am humbled to be a therapist - collaborating with each person I have the opportunity to work with until they truly know their power and meet their goals. 

I bring my complete self to our therapeutic relationship.  Our time together will be solely dedicated to you and if we chose to work together, I will disclose information about myself only when it is supportive of your growth.  As you consider if I am the best therapist to for you or your loved one, it is important you know who I am as a person so I welcome you to contact me with questions even if you are not ready to begin working together. 

With thanks and peace,
Shauna