Therapist profile
Shakina Small, LPC
Licensed counselor - relationships and family
Continue with ShakinaAbout
- Client-centered approach
- Cognitive behavioral tools
- Emotion-focused work
About Shakina
Shakina Small is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) practicing in Pennsylvania with 26 years of clinical experience. She focuses on relationship and family concerns, trauma and abuse, parenting struggles, substance issues, self-esteem, intimacy-related problems, and life changes. Shakina works with adults who are managing complicated home dynamics and parenting stress.
Her approach is grounded in client-centered work with practical tools from cognitive behavioral therapy and dialectical behavior therapy. She often brings emotion-focused ideas into sessions to help people recognize and name what matters in close relationships. Sessions tend to include straightforward talk, skills practice, and reflective exercises.
Shakina has worked in many settings over her career, including schools, residential programs, group homes, foster care, inpatient and outpatient services, and correctional settings. That background informs how she helps people who have experienced sexual, emotional, or physical trauma. She also notes experience with adoptees and parents facing blended family or fatherhood issues.
She can introduce practical techniques such as cognitive reframing, distress tolerance skills, and emotion-focused strategies for repairing connection. Writing or creative exercises may be used when they help a person express difficult feelings.
Shakina describes a direct but respectful style. She aims to help people identify patterns that keep causing pain and to try new ways of relating and coping. Prospective clients should confirm current session options before booking.
How sessions work
How her approaches translate to online work
Shakina combines client-centered listening with cognitive behavioral techniques and dialectical behavior therapy skills in sessions. Client-centered work focuses on understanding a person’s point of view and responding with attentive listening to help clarify goals and values. Cognitive behavioral therapy looks at thoughts and behaviors, offering practical strategies to change unhelpful patterns and manage mood or anxiety. Dialectical behavior therapy adds skills for distress tolerance, emotion regulation, and better interpersonal effectiveness, which can be useful for intense relationship conflicts or strong emotional reactions.Finding the right mix of methods is a collaborative process. She will work together with each person to pick approaches that match their needs, goals, and preferences. That discussion helps decide whether to focus on skill-building, emotional processing, or both over the early sessions.
Session formats were not specified in the biography, so clients should confirm current session options before booking. In general, online work can make it easier to fit appointments into a busy day, allow for shorter check-ins when needed, and reduce travel time. It also makes it simpler to continue weekly work during life transitions, while using the same therapeutic techniques adapted for a remote setting.
Areas of focus
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Also works with
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
26+ years
Listed in
Pennsylvania
Languages
English
Questions
Frequently asked questions
What kinds of family or relationship problems does she address?
She works with relationship strains, blended family issues, divorce and separation, communication problems, commitment concerns, and fatherhood issues. Parenting stress and family conflict are also listed focus areas.
How would she describe her therapy style?
Her style blends client-centered listening with direct, practical guidance when needed. She uses skills-based techniques and reflective conversation to help people change patterns.
How much clinical experience does she have?
She has 26 years of experience working in schools, residential programs, foster care, correctional settings, inpatient and outpatient care, and community settings. That range informs her work with trauma and complex family situations.
What are her credentials and where is she based?
She is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) licensed in Pennsylvania. Her practice and professional work are located in Pennsylvania.
Which languages are offered for sessions?
Sessions are offered in English.
Does she work with clients outside the U.S.?
She does not accept international clients at this time.
How are sessions scheduled and what does it cost?
Cost varies with location and sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time. Prospective clients should check the platform or service for current pricing details.
What are the steps to begin working with her?
Begin by selecting the See online therapy options button, completing a short matching questionnaire, and then scheduling a first session.
Details come from information the therapist supplied to BetterHelp. A license can be checked with the state board.
Online talk therapy is not emergency care. If anyone is in danger, use the crisis numbers.