Dr. Shanda was born in Hartford, CT and currently works independently as a mental health clinician and consultant in private practice. She is partnered and shares the privilege of parenting three daughters.  Their children came to them through multiple pathways: conception, adoption, and the Massachusetts DCF foster care system.  Dr. Shanda obtained her Bachelor's degree in Visual and Performing Arts, with a concentration in Theater, from Green Mountain College in Poultney, VT.  She earned her Master's degree in Counseling Psychology from Antioch New England Graduate School located in Keene, NH.  Her Doctorate in Educational Leadership and Supervision was received from American International College in Springfield, MA.  

 

Dr. Shanda's clinical experience focused on the development of professional staff and direct clinical application in a variety of settings.  She began her career working with adolescents and supervising professional staff at a residential addictions facility.  Her strong clinical and managerial skills allowed her to move quickly up the chain of command where she oversaw the clinical application and programming of the Children and Families Division of a large non profit agency.  She then refined her skills to support the academic and psychological needs of students through both of her roles as a School Psychologist at a charter school and as a Clinical Supervisor at a private school for children with severe emotional and/or intellectual disabilities.  

 

“I work under a humanistic philosophy that promotes health and healing of the whole person.  I believe that everyone is a part of an interconnected system.  We are affected by others and effect change in others.  This means that our posture, facial expressions, and overall well-being are often observed, interpreted, and reflected back to us on a regular basis.  We then form impressions of ourselves and the world around us through this reflection.  Therefore, I believe that mental health and wellness are whole-body experiences that include spirituality, nutrition, exercise, rest, self-reflection, and social interaction.  When we take care of our whole selves, we feel good.  When we feel good, our body posture and affect shifts.  When our affect shifts, our interactions with others and interpretation of others shift.  This will then have a direct impact on our worldview and sense of self.”

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What do I do?

I work with brave individuals who are ready to challenge and overcome personal and professional adversities by using the wisdom of history, nature, and holistic practices.

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Why do I do it?

On this website, I have attempted to merge many fields of thought on metaphysics and spirituality.  Most of my understanding comes from specific texts and teachings.  I have pulled from those sources and noted them on the pages entitled: Body, Mind, Spirit, Emotion.  I believe that divine knowledge is always present, it’s just a matter of being able to reach it.  

 

“If you are a true student, you will be able to work out and apply these Principles—if not, then you must develop yourself into one, for otherwise the Hermetic Teachings will be as “words, words, words, to you.”

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~Initiates, T. (1908). The Kybalion: A study of the hermetic philosophy of ancient egypt and greece. Chicago: The Yogi Publication Society. 

 

I believe that we all have the ability to access spaces where divine knowledge resides.  Once we develop the skills to access this space, the knowledge we absorb will help to inform our experiences and decisions.  I work with individuals who are ready to uncover their locked tendencies towards wholeness and joy.  This sense of wholeness and joy is ever present and is not a new discovery.  Just because you haven’t experienced it or haven’t experienced it fully, doesn’t mean it doesn’t exist or is inaccessible to you. 

 

“It is never a question of belief; the only scientific attitude one can take on any subject is whether it is true.  The law of gravitation worked as efficiently before Newton as after him.  The cosmos would be fairly chaotic if its laws could not operate without the sanction of human belief.”

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~Yogananda, P. (1946). Autobiography of a Yogi. The Philosophical Library. 

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Therapy is a journey of discovery and enlightenment.  While my thoughts may seem grand, I will meet you wherever you are on your journey.  We will take your pace.  I will often ask many questions to get an understanding of your perceptions of reality.  I can be confrontational when I see areas where rigidity has closed a door that could lead to deeper acceptance and empathy.  The goal is to challenge your thoughts to see if you truly believe them or are just stubbornly attached to them because it’s easier than change/growth.  I use humor and have been known to laugh boisterously with you.  Due to the nature of introspection, stuck or buried emotions tend to cause strong responses like anger, crying, avoidance, etc.  I am comfortable holding the space while allowing you the dignity of handling your emotions the best way you deem appropriate. 

 

While I honor and support who and where you are on your journey, I WILL NOT allow bigoted words of hate towards any group of people to be acceptable in session.  You are entitled to your opinions and beliefs.  If bigotry comes up in session, it will become a teachable moment that will not go unnoticed.  I am comfortable engaging these conversations.  I do not expect that you have to believe what I believe.  Instead, I would work with you to gain greater perspective of the matter so that you may start to narrow your thoughts to specific individuals rather than a group of people.  We may then explore your experiences with those individuals and determine if those beliefs are accurate or influenced by family patterns, fear, or something else.

 

I feel directed to support individuals on their decision to live in joy and purpose.  It is our divine right and it is the only place where we can truly be free.