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SA Portrait of Shaela Amaya

Shaela Amaya

Supportive psychotherapy with practical tools

LMHC New York

Experience
3 years in practice
Focus areas
Self esteem, Stress, Anxiety, Relationship
Approaches
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Client-Centered Therapy
Languages
English
Continue with Shaela

About Shaela

Shaela Amaya is a licensed mental health counselor (LMHC) based in New York who focuses on concerns such as anxiety, depression, self-esteem, stress, relationship and family difficulties, trauma and abuse, anger, coping with life changes, and ADHD.

Background and approach

She also attends to a wide array of related issues including adoption and foster care, attachment concerns, body image, caregiver stress, workplace problems, obsessive-compulsive symptoms, and women's issues. With three years of clinical experience, she draws on multiple evidence-informed techniques to tailor care to each person’s needs.

Her style is warm, interactive, and respectful, emphasizing sensitivity and compassion while helping clients identify practical steps forward. Shaela uses cognitive behavioral strategies alongside client-centered listening, dialectical behavior skills, emotionally focused work, and mindfulness to build individualized plans.

She seeks to empower people to pursue meaningful change, framing therapy as a collaborative process that honors a client’s goals and pace. Prospective clients can expect a counselor who values partnership, clear strategies, and emotional support.

Shaela welcomes English-speaking clients in New York and also accepts international clients who prefer to work with her, offering a flexible approach to scheduling and session format.

How therapeutic approaches translate to online care

Shaela commonly integrates Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Client-Centered Therapy in her work. CBT focuses on identifying and shifting unhelpful thoughts and behaviors to reduce symptoms like anxiety, depression, and obsessive patterns, often using practical exercises and skill-building between sessions. Client-Centered Therapy emphasizes empathetic, nonjudgmental listening and collaboration, allowing clients to explore emotions and values at their own pace while the therapist provides support and validation.

Finding the right approach is a collaborative process. Shaela works with each person to explore which methods fit their needs and goals, adjusting techniques as therapy progresses so the plan remains responsive and relevant to the client’s priorities.

Online formats include video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging, which make it easier to fit therapy into busy schedules and to access care from different locations. These options support flexibility in how and when people engage, allowing therapeutic work to continue even when in-person meetings are not possible.

Frequently asked questions

What concerns does she help with?
Shaela addresses anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, stress, relationship and family difficulties, trauma and abuse, anger, coping with life changes, and ADHD, along with related areas such as adoption and foster care and workplace issues.
What is her therapeutic approach and style?
Her style is comforting and interactive, blending cognitive behavioral techniques with client-centered listening, dialectical behavior strategies, emotionally-focused work, and mindfulness to create tailored plans.
How much clinical experience does she have?
She has three years of experience working as a licensed clinician with clients facing a variety of mental health and life concerns.
What are her credentials and where is she based?
She holds the credential LMHC and is licensed in New York with the registration NY LMHC 010469.
Can clients who live outside the U.S. work with her?
Yes, she accepts international clients and is available to work with English-speaking people outside the United States.
Which session formats are offered?
Sessions are available by video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging to accommodate different preferences and schedules.
How are fees handled for sessions?
Costs vary with location and therapist availability; sessions are provided through a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.
What is the process for beginning therapy?
To start, select the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and then schedule sessions according to the therapist's availability.

Areas of expertise

Primary focus

Self esteem

Also works with

Stress, AnxietyRelationship issuesFamily conflictsTrauma and abuseAnger managementDepressionCoping with life changesADHD

Additional focus areas

Adoption and foster careAntisocial personalityAttachment issuesBody imageCaregiver issues and stressCommitment issuesCommunication problemsDisruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder (DMDD)Domestic violenceForgivenessImmigration issuesMood disordersObsessions, compulsions, and OCDWomen's issuesWorkplace issuesYoung adult issues

Therapeutic approaches

Client-Centered TherapyCognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT)Mindfulness TherapyMotivational InterviewingSolution-Focused TherapySomatic TherapyTrauma-Focused Therapy

Experience

3+ years

Licensed

New York

Languages

English