Strengthening the self. Strengthening the relationship. Strengthening the family

Sandra Shields, LMFT

About me

I believe therapy is a collaborative process. You know yourself, your experiences, and your relationships better than anyone. My role is to walk alongside you as we work together to understand what is happening beneath the surface, identify patterns that may be keeping you stuck, and discover new ways of responding.

My own experience in therapy is what first led me to become a therapist. Experiencing the impact that therapy could have in my own life inspired me to pursue mental health as a second career as I approached retirement. I wanted to help individuals, couples, and families work through the wounds, experiences, and relational patterns that can influence how we see ourselves and how we connect with the people we love.

One thing I have come to believe is that we are often willing to change, but we don't always know how. Therapy can provide a space to discover that “how.”

I strive to create a therapeutic experience where you feel heard, respected, and accepted while also feeling supported in looking more deeply at the thoughts, emotions, beliefs, and relationship patterns influencing your life. I bring warmth, curiosity, compassion, and authenticity to our work, while gently challenging you when doing so can help create greater self-awareness and growth.

I also believe that our foundations matter. When the foundation of our sense of self or our relationships has been weakened or damaged, its impact can extend into many areas of life. Together, we can explore those foundations and work toward strengthening them.

For individuals, this may mean developing greater self-awareness, emotional regulation, confidence, and self-advocacy. For couples, it may mean understanding the patterns that keep you disconnected or in conflict and creating greater emotional connection and security. For families, it may involve exploring longstanding dynamics, boundaries, communication, and ways of relating that support healthier relationships.

My goal is not to tell you what you should do. It is to help you better understand yourself and your relationships so that you can make choices that align with who you are and the life and relationships you want to create.

You don't have to figure it all out alone. We can work together to understand the patterns, strengthen the foundation, and create a healthier way forward.