Shara Ligonde

If you're a millennial or Gen-Z navigating the rollercoaster of life, you're in the right place.

Hi, I'm Shara, a licensed mental health counselor with 5+ years experience working in various mental health settings.

Let's be real, this stage of life can feel overwhelming, especially with all the intense emotions, life transitions, and relationship complexities we face. I get it – I've been there too. That's why I've created a space where you can feel safe, understood, and empowered to build the life you truly want. As a relational therapist, I believe that healing happens best when we feel seen, heard, and understood.

Together, we will build a safe and comfortable space where you can be yourself, without judgement. We'll dig into what's happened in the past and what's going on now - not just in your head, but also how it shows up in your body and your relationships. We'll explore those intense emotions, family dynamics, and complex feelings that you're struggling to understand and communicate. Processing in therapy isn't only verbal, so I enjoy using activities you're interested in to help you feel grounded. What's important to me is helping you find your way back to yourself and the connections that matter most - with quality time and good company.

When I'm not in session, I enjoy working on home projects, staying active, planning for self care and cooking/baking for friends and family. As someone who thrives on quality time, I enjoy hosting dinner parties, curating the perfect menu and music playlist for my guests. I bring that passion for connection, creativity and experience into our sessions to inspire and highlight your strengths.

My greatest strengths include my empathy and ability to see my client's as they are, honoring their vulnerability and strength in asking for support. As a relational and integrative therapist, I encourage a well-rounded treatment team to help manage discomfort - emotional, physical and social, while also understanding the complex impact each layer of our lives plays in our perceptions of ourselves, our relationships and how we cope. Methods and techniques used within my practice include Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, CBT, DBT, Relational therapy, Integrative therapy and Culinary art therapy.

My ideal client's are creative beings who feel misunderstood and are looking for a safe place to express themselves culturally, emotionally and unapologetically. Concerns I am familiar with supporting others with include: life transitions, adjustment issues, anxiety, self esteem issues, mood dysregulation, sibling issues, depression, stress management, career planning, relationship issues, trauma, women's health issues and more. My client's share the goal of feeling more confident and comfortable in identifying and communicating their feelings, establishing supportive and healthy relationships, and learning coping strategies to use when facing distress.

During our first session, we will get to know each other: What brings you to counseling, any past or current stressors you're experiencing, and how it impacts your daily life and relationships. We will also establish a schedule for therapy and create attainable and specific treatment goals just for you. Within our follow-up sessions, you will learn how to identify and cope appropriately with your emotions, communicate your feelings effectively, improve your mind-body equilibrium through mindfulness, somatic exercises, nutrition and creativity. Many of our life experiences have had a significant impact on how we perceive ourselves, our relationships and the world around us, resulting in trauma symptoms that manifest into dysregulation of our emotions, physical health, nervous system and cognition. Our treatment goals will include integrative tools, interventions and coping skills to improve your quality of life.