Providing healing from the head down
- Dr. S
The saying above - providing healing from the head down - has a two-fold meaning. First, I believe everything starts with the head (or the mind). From your mind, comes the thoughts, beliefs, and subsequent behaviors and actions that you eventually demonstrate. Secondly, in both my personal and professional life, I have become acutely aware that, as black women, we are often on the frontlines in leadership-type positions as mothers, wives, CEOs, ministry leaders and more. Because of that, we don't always have a "safe space" to receive counsel for our extremely difficult positions and/or support for our own mental health. I've realized that when we prioritize our healing, we can help those coming up behind us.
Because of these two things - that our "stuckness" typically starts in the mind and that as leaders, we need healing too - my goal as your strategic consultant and/or therapist is to assist black women - mothers and wives, professionals and entrepreneurs, and pastors and spiritual leaders - who are struggling with unidentified, unexposed, and unresolved trauma, so they can achieve personal, professional, and spiritual freedom. ​​
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Everyone is different, so how your "stuckness" presents may vary. Perhaps it's feeling like your drowning emotionally; feeling stuck or unmotivated at work or home; procrastinating without a clear plan; having emotions such as unresolved grief & trauma; or feelings of church hurt... Basically, anything that is causing you to NOT move forward the way that you would like. Because of these feelings, you need help. And my role is to help build a bridge from where you are currently to where you'd like to be.
You may wonder: why choose me? In a time where the terms therapist, counselor, and coach are often used interchangeably, I assure you there are important differences. I am formally trained as a social worker (BSW & MSW), am a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW) for over 20 years, been in private practice three times, received my PhD in 2013 from the #1 School of Social Work in the nation, and have taught budding social workers for nearly 12 years. I don't share this to brag; simply to let you know that if you choose to work with me, you are gaining an accomplished, qualified, and well-trained individual. I promise to utilize all my expertise, knowledge, and skill sets to help you make the shift from stuck to starting to success.
Whether it's a one-time meeting, or ongoing sessions, I provide information that is relevant to your presenting issue(s), while offering you essential tools, as well as tangible action steps, that can strategically assist you in moving forward. Depending on your needs, you have the option of me serving as your strategist consultant or your therapist.
Photo credit: Noelle's Photography
As your strategic consultant or your therapist, I specialize in helping black women, whether mothers and wives, professionals and entrepreneurs, or pastors and spiritual leaders, identify and address a myriad of barriers that prevent them from fully living in personal, professional, and spiritual freedom. By creating a genuine partnership built upon rapport, active listening, and asking the hard questions, together, we will accomplish your goals.
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Reaching out is an important first step in your process of shifting from stuck to starting to success. I am committed to participating in this journey with you, so if you're looking for someone with a gentle nudge, challenging questions, and consistent accountability, along with evidence-based therapies and interventions, I encourage you to contact me today.
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As a licensed clinical social worker and your therapist, I can serve individuals located anywhere in the state of Missouri and accept various insurances including Cigna, Aetna, Anthem, Quest and more (a complete list can be found at Psychology Today).
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To learn more or to schedule an appointment, please click here. ​
Now you may be wondering, what's the difference between a therapist and a strategic consultant? That's a great question! The primary difference is that as your therapist, I can only work with individuals in the state of Missouri. As your strategic consultant, I can work with individuals across the United States as well as internationally. It also allows me to provide more high-touch, tailored support to help you accomplish your specific goals.
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Whether as your therapist or your strategic consultant, it is my desire to help you make the shift from stuck to starting to success and #BeYourBestYou!
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If you're interested in learning more about working with me in this capacity, you can email hello@drshalai.com. If you'd like to book an individual session or package, please click here.
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I look forward to partnering with you.
Helping You #BeYourBestYou in therapy, in life and in your wardrobe
In addition to providing strategic consulting and therapeutic services to address any internal shifts you'd like to make, I also provide image consultant services to help you with your outward appearance as well.
Whether you'd benefit from an image assessment, closet audit, or are in need of a personal shopper, I can assist you. I aim to help you #BeYourBestYou in life and in your wardrobe. Book your virtual session today.
Photo credit: Noelle's Photography
WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING
Dr. S has been a pivotal and instrumental part in my life in the year and a half that I have known her. She has walked with me through many stages of life in such a short time and has been a constant. Her
wisdom in mentorship is unmatched and her ability to plan and execute is the same. I want to thank her for being my sounding board personally, ministerially, and in business.
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-CT
Dr Sha-Lai is a true sister in Christ! After God spoke to me about putting on a conference, I was excited and overwhelmed about all the details. I knew Dr. S was doing many things of the sorts so I reached out not really even knowing her too well and asked for her help. She was there. She allowed me to pick her brain with all the questions. She talked to me about layout, format and things I probably wouldn’t have thought about. Not only did she help me in that way but she prayed for me, cheered me on, showed up the day of the conference to serve physically and spiritually! She is all around phenomenal!
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-HB
I had an exceptional experience working with Dr. Sha-Lai. Her expertise and guidance were instrumental in successfully completing the task at hand. Her insightful advice and prompt communication made the entire process smooth and efficient. I greatly appreciate her dedication and would highly recommend her services to anyone seeking professional assistance.
- AM