Attachment-based Therapists in Tampa, FL

Are you experiencing betrayal trauma, communication break downs, or a loss of sexual connection with your partner? Have you been struggling with sex addiction? Is trauma from childhood, or military service, effecting the quality of your life? Are you wanting to live a more authentic life, based on your own values, beliefs, wants and needs, rather than how others expect you to live? Through 26+ years of training and experience, I provide psychotherapy to individuals and couples seeking to live more authentic lives, through connection with self and others, healing trauma and emotional wounds, and achieving personal growth.

I am a Licensed Marriage/Couples and Family Therapist. I work with individuals, couples, and families to help combat symptoms such as anxiety, depression, dysphoria, trauma & behavioral and mood disorders. I am a dedicated and passionate therapist who enjoys guiding, empowering, and education my clients. I believe it is import to hold the feelings and trust the process of healing. I have a history serving minority populations ranging from race to gender and sexuality. My goal is to make your therapy space a welcoming and a safe environment. We are all on this journey of life and I would love to walk with you if you want me to.

I work with children, adults and families who may be suffering from significant life stressors and/or severe traumas. I have a passion for change. I aid in helping advocate for my clients in the face of adversity. My passion, as a therapist, is assisting in transforming results through the power of healing in relationships. I am grounded in the principles of trauma-informed care. I utilize comprehensive assessments to have a clearer understanding of diagnostic complexities to implement the most effective interventions.

*Accepting New Teletherapy Clients* Feeling constantly stressed, anxious, irritable, and easily angered by others or with yourself? You find yourself frustrated by the challenges of managing your emotions and asking yourself, "Why am I having such a hard time controlling my emotions?" or telling yourself "I should be able to handle this!" You've found that managing anxiety and the stress from everyday life feels overwhelming, and, you're exhausted. You want to be able to manage how you respond to daily stress and worry in ways that help you live a better quality of life and improve your relationship with others. I can help!

I specialize in working with trauma, particularly attachment trauma, and utilizing mindfulness and self-compassion as a resource for personal growth. This work is very meaningful to me, and I believe everyone can thrive with the right support. My work is grounded in holding space to deeply love and understand yourself; which of course increases your love and understanding for others. It's about exploring the freedom that comes from being more of who you really are and less of who you think you should be. I'm a Qualified Supervisor and enjoy supporting new counselors.

Welcome! Thank you for reaching out and taking the first step in being vulnerable, and asking for help. You are definitely not alone. I want to join you on this counseling journey to help you feel safe, heard, respected, and comfortable in sharing your story so that together we can help you succeed and feel better. My expertise includes working with people experiencing depression, anxiety, trauma, low self-esteem, and low-motivation. I work with adults and teens, listening to their stories, helping them work through their emotions to make different decisions.

Transitions can be some of the most exciting moments in your life. Marriage, growing families, new jobs - are all things to celebrate. Yet they bring with them so many challenges. For others, transitions are sparked by hard seasons of loss and betrayal. No matter what prompted this season, the person you were a short time ago is no longer there. Worse yet, you’ve lost sight of who you really are and are not sure of who you’re becoming. You don’t have to go through this alone.

I have been practicing Marriage and Family Therapy and individual therapy since 2005. Marriage is a bond that is often difficult to keep together as a couple goes through difficult times. Therapy will focus on components to assist clients from being stuck in their own way of thinking and processing. It is the stuck place that often brings people to feelings of helplessness, depression, anxiety and not perceiving issues with hope and options for change. I specialize in helping couples working through more severe issues, such as, infidelity, personality disorders, etc.

You are searching for someone who can understand you. Who can hear you, your frustrations, your pain and needs in a way that offers care and meaningful support. You want to feel better, be happier, and want clarity about how you got here and what you should do moving forward. Or you both may be wondering..how did OUR relationship get here? or How do we navigate what’s happening with our child? I imagine you’ve been giving it your best but still feel like you’re falling short. But you’re not. Take comfort in your efforts and realize sometimes it’s the smallest change that makes the difference. It’s time. Let’s do this together.

We believe in the importance of both Science and Spirituality in our work. We are advocates for both Herbal and Prescription treatment and believe in the use of both Eastern and Western medical systems to treat disease and maintain health. We practice a model of therapy, coaching, and counseling which is collaborative, open and holistic in nature. Our therapeutic relationship should feel warm, safe and be connecting. This model is different than many counseling models which have a less collaborative flavor. In these models typically the therapist is the "expert" in the room and should not be challenged.

Shelina specializes in Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) which is most helpful for people who struggle with living in the present, and end up feeling anxious, confused, sad, or numb. She works with individuals, couples, families, and corporations to mend broken relationships and foster healthy conflict management. As a nonjudgmental soundboard, Shelina consistently offers her objective understanding of your situation with ease. Shelina's ideal client is someone who is ready to hold themselves accountable, open to feedback, and prepared for change in order to benefit their relationships with others and (most importantly) themselves.

Accepting new clients! The Counseling & Wellness Boutique promotes an environment of respect for all cultures, backgrounds, and lifestyles. We are a thriving boutique style private practice that offers personalized care and attention to our clients. You are not just a number here! We specialize in challenges related to minority issues, trauma, depression, anxiety, low self-esteem, life transitions & change, family conflict, relationship/couples issues, anger & stress management, and so much more! Our preferred treatment modalities include Brainspotting, EMDR, CBT, and other talk based therapies. We also offer coaching services.

Sometimes understanding your child's learning, behavior, and/or social-emotional needs and how to help can be a challenge. But taking the first step in supporting your child is the most important one. In order to best help your child, a comprehensive psychological evaluation may be beneficial. Whether to better understand your child's strengths and weaknesses or to assist in treatment planning, early identification can reduce and prevent long-term negative outcomes. I specialize in the assessment of and treatment planning for children ranging from early childhood through early adulthood to help families better support their child.

I have extensive experience working with infants, toddlers, children, adolescents and families and work from a family system, strengths-based perspective. I currently offer individual and family therapy services to children and families. I believe in empowering parents by providing them with tools they can use at home, in order for families to reap long term benefits from therapy. I have a wide array of experience working with children exhibiting symptoms related to: trauma, anxiety, anger, transitions, depression, ADHD, developmental delays, and behavioral difficulties.

I started my professional training in psychology in 1988, earning three masters and a doctorate degree. My training has focused extensively on working with adults and children in out-patient, in-patient and residential settings. I have served as an adjunct faculty at Argosy University. I conduct workshops to facilitate awareness of mental health issues and provide resources for different organizations. I am contracted with QTC Medical group - a group through the Department of Veterans Affairs, to provide psychological services to our veterans.

It can be a difficult decision to get help, but it is a step in the right direction. I welcome and congratulate you on starting this new journey. I am currently offering virtual sessions to accommodate my clients with busy schedules or difficulty traveling to an office setting. Online sessions offer the privacy of therapy in the comfort of your own home.

My clients are looking to get out of their own way relationally and in life. They accept the responsibility that all good relationships occur within the space of self regulation and full respect living. Healthy relationships are demanding of our time. Working with me clients learn a lot about their own power to influence their lives and the environment in which they live. Our relationships, whether with ourselves or others, are the most important driving force in our lives for long term happiness and life satisfaction. Harvard Study of 2017 " Good Relationships influence the outcome of our health, wealth, happiness and longevity."

I have experience with working with individuals across the life span and have had the pleasure of accompanying others on their journey of healing, growth and understanding.

My ideal patient is one struggling in life, having a hard time regulating emotions, and ready to do the work to change their situation.