Shamella Joy

I’m Shamella Joy, LCSW, a licensed clinical social worker and maternal mental health therapist. My work is deeply personal and professional. I have navigated my own journey through trauma, extreme stress and motherhood, and I understand firsthand how transformative and disorienting seasons of life can be. That lived experience, combined with my clinical training, shapes how I show up in the therapy room — grounded, compassionate, and steady.

I hold a Master of Social Work from Louisiana State University and a Master’s degree in Peace Operations with a focus on refugee resettlement from George Mason University. My professional background includes service in the U.S. Air Force and roles within the Department of Veterans Affairs and Department of State. Working within federal systems taught me how chronic stress, trauma, and complex life transitions affect mental health. It also strengthened my commitment to helping people navigate systems that can often feel overwhelming.

Clinically, I work with individuals navigating trauma, anxiety disorders, depressive disorders, ADHD-related stress, relationship strain, and life transitions. I also specialize in perinatal mood and anxiety disorders, birth trauma, fertility challenges, pregnancy loss, postpartum adjustment, and identity transitions into parenthood. My approach integrates Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), mindfulness-based practices, trauma-informed care, and nervous system regulation strategies.

Clients often tell me they appreciate that I balance warmth with structure. I will sit with you in the hard moments, but I will also help you build tools and insight that move you forward. Therapy with me is collaborative, honest, and focused on helping you feel more regulated, more confident, and more connected to yourself.

Your first session with me is a space to slow down and exhale. There is no pressure to have everything organized or articulated perfectly. My goal is to understand what has brought you here, what feels most pressing right now, and what you hope might feel different in your life.

We’ll talk through your current concerns, relevant history, and any significant life transitions — especially around trauma, stress, or identity shifts if those apply. I may ask structured questions to help me get a fuller picture of your emotional patterns, coping strategies, support systems, and daily stressors. This helps us build a thoughtful plan rather than just reacting to symptoms.

You can also expect collaboration. I’ll explain how I work, answer questions, and invite you to share what has or hasn’t worked in the past. Together, we’ll begin identifying goals and next steps. Some sessions feel reflective, others feel practical — most are a combination of both.

Most importantly, you can expect steadiness. I aim to create a space where you feel heard, respected, and not rushed. You don’t have to perform or minimize your experience here. We start exactly where you are.