Shanay Russell

You don’t have to be fully certain if therapy is for you, in order to begin.

I work with thoughtful adults who are curious about therapy, but haven’t always felt the need, urgency, or desire to pursue it. My approach is warm and collaborative. I help you slow down, examine patterns with clarity, and make sense of what may have felt automatic or overlooked for a long time.

I like to describe therapy as a space for processing and breathing. A place where you get to understand yourself with more precision, reduce internal noise, and make decisions from a more grounded place rather than from pressure or reactivity.

While I work with a range of concerns—including anxiety, stress, burnout, relationship patterns, self-doubt, and life transitions—many of my clients are not coming in because life is unmanageable. They are coming in because they are ready for things to feel more aligned, and feel more internally steady.

My style integrates insight-oriented work with practical application, so that understanding yourself is not just meaningful, but useful in how you actually move through your day-to-day life. If you are new to therapy or simply exploring what it might offer beyond what you’ve already tried on your own, I provide a space that is structured, thoughtful, and designed to support meaningful change without overwhelm.

Since becoming licensed in California in 2019, I’ve worked in a variety of settings, from private practice and low-cost counseling services to supervising other clinicians. Each experience has deepened my belief that therapy works best when it feels human, intentional, and tailored to the person sitting in the room. I believe change happens in tiny ways, often softly, sometimes quietly, but always in ways that matter.

If you’re interested in beginning that process, I’d be honored to work with you.

I approach therapy as a collaborative process, where clients are encouraged to bring forward what feels most important to explore. I’ve found that when clients help guide the direction of the work, the process often feels more intentional and empowering, creating greater ownership over both reflection and change.

My style can range from conversational and reflective to more structured and skill-focused, depending on what feels most supportive in the moment. While I primarily draw from CBT, I also integrate psychodynamic, ACT, and EFT-informed approaches to help clients better understand their patterns, relate differently to their thoughts, and create meaningful, sustainable change.

The first session is less about jumping straight into heavy therapeutic work and more about getting to know one another. It’s a space for us to begin understanding who you are, what has brought you to therapy, and what you’re hoping might feel different in your life.

You can expect me to ask thoughtful questions as we explore your concerns, discuss what therapy can look like, and clarify expectations on both sides. This is also your opportunity to ask questions, share any hesitations, and get a sense of whether working together feels like the right fit.