Today we’d like to introduce you to Shameela Keshavjee.
Hi Shameela, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
No matter how many different career paths I considered, I always came back to healing professions. After careful consideration, I chose systems therapy, or marital and family therapy, because I connected deeply with the idea that a person’s relational contexts matter.
I graduated with a master of science in marital and family therapy from Northwestern University in 2005. I worked a few agency jobs where I was exposed to different kinds of people and concerns; eventually, I moved into private practice — first in Denton and then in Southlake, Texas. I went fully remote in 2020 during the pandemic and have continued to maintain an online practice. I appreciate being able to give clients the flexibility of online therapy and to reach those clients in parts of Texas I might not be able to otherwise.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road. Most of my struggles centered around the way mental health treatment and providers are often devalued, underpaid, and overworked. I am grateful for the autonomy I have as a private practice therapist, as well as for the mentors and colleagues who have supported me along the way.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
After years of working with different kinds of people and learning so much from my experience with them, I have really gravitated toward couples and individuals. I would say I am known for being a trauma-informed, culturally sensitive relational therapist. My relationship with clients matters just as much as the ones my clients have in their own lives, and I strive to create a sense of safety and respect for their backgrounds and beliefs. I don’t come in with a pre-conceived notion of what’s right or wrong; I like to meet people where they are and develop the way forward in a collaborative, non-judgmental process.
I’m excited to be able to integrate mindfulness, Internal Family Systems, Emotionally-Focused Couples Therapy, and EMDR into my work with individuals and couples. It’s incredibly rewarding to walk alongside folks through their hardest times and then see them grow in ways they didn’t even know were possible.
We’d be interested to hear your thoughts on luck and what role, if any, you feel it’s played for you?
For me, luck has been about timing and people. The right opportunities and people presented themselves when I needed them. And I was willing to commit to those moments and relationships in a way that allowed them to propel me forward to where I am today.
Pricing:
- Individual therapy, 50 minutes — $200
- Couple therapy, 50 minutes — $230
- For information about longer sessions and intensives, please contact me.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.therapywithshameela.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shameela.lmft/
Image Credits
Teresa Gardner
Charles Davies
