My primary mode of learning has always through the lens of connection to the world outside of myself, through observing people. Before I became a therapist I used my high sensitivity and skill of empathy to connect to others and sit with others in their suffering. While my skills in understanding humans and their suffering grew, my connection to myself remained stagnant. This disconnection revealed itself in the patterns that were not serving me in my relationships, in chronic pain in my body, in perfectionistic and unrealistic expectations of myself, and a negative inner voice that left me feeling unworthy of love.  My own healing journey inward led me to leave the world of Technology Sales to provide solace to those suffering within their own inner worlds.

In my clinical work I help individuals and families to identify what is not working for them. Many of my clients are perfectionists or highly sensitive people who have very high expectations of self, may feel unworthy or not good enough and often feel bogged down by inner critical thoughts. Many of these individuals may also experience Anxiety, Eating Disorders, or Obsessive and/or Compulsive behaviors they want support in healing. In working with Eating Disorders I take a Health at Every Size approach and work with Intuitive Eating and Family Based Treatment (FBT) practices. I utilize Dr. Kristin Neff’s work around self-compassion, nervous system / body-oriented practices, mindfulness/meditation, strength-based, and CBT/DBT approaches to help my clients identify paths towards more balance and ease across their feelings, thoughts and behaviors. 

I believe that most of the healing we do in the therapy room is predicated on a strong and supportive relationship between client and therapist. For this reason, I am dedicated to making the therapy space feel as safe as possible as we explore territories that may feel hard or scary for clients. I use my sense of humor to lighten up the work at times and make it feel less formal and more casual depending on the client needs.

I am also an advocate and ally for movements and communities including LGBTQIA+ community, Black Lives Matter, Disability Justice Movement, Anti-Diet Culture (Health at Every Size, Intuitive Eating) and Intersectional Feminism. I am a proud Jewish woman and activist and am here to support other Jewish people on their journey as well.

Licenses & Education

• Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, LMFT 142914

• Masters Degree, California Institute of Integral Studies (2020)

• Bachelors Degree, California Polytechnic Institute (2010) 

• “EveryDay Self Compassion” 3 Month Workshop at SF Center for Self Compassion

• (2022)

• Somatic Experiencing Training Weekend Workshop with Peter Levine (2019)

• Weekend Workshop with Bessel van der Kolk: The Body Keeps Score (2019)

• Weekend Workshop with Esther Perel: Exploring Modern Relationships (2019)

Professional Affiliations

• California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists, Member

Connect with Shira!

LinkedIN