Shalina Kumar, LMFT

Shalina Kumar, LMFT

New
Offers online services
New
Offers online services

About

Are you experiencing a new challenge or adjusting to current life circumstances? At times of great stress, we use familiar ways of coping with problems that may no longer work for our present situations. In counseling, Shalina hopes to come alongside you as a supportive helper in your times of great stress or transition. Shalina hopes to create that safe place where you can explore your concerns and heal from past emotional pain. Shalina has training in working with difficult emotions utilizing skills from dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT). Shalina also has experience and certifications in cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) paired with narrative therapy to address depression, anxiety and trauma. Shalina has worked with clients of all ages from toddlers through elders using short-term support to addressing more chronic problems. Shalina’s experience also has been paired with work as a research Clinician which has influenced her eclectic view of therapy styles and her incorporation of evidence-based practices in sessions. Specifically Shalina’s experience has been in an inpatient, outpatient and private practice settings working with parents utilizing skills from Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT), child, adolescents and their family member(s) in addressing behavioral issues. In adults, Shalina has worked with chronic and situational depression, anxiety, panic attacks, medical co-morbidity, physical pain, substance dependence, abuse, acculturation and relationship problems. Shalina has additional training in Problem-Solving therapy (PST) for middle-aged adults; which, has also been shown effective to treat depression.

I believe that everyone has the potential to realize the life they imagined for themselves. As a licensed marriage and family therapist, I provide a safe and trusting environment where you can explore and process the ambivalence that often hinders you from realizing your ideal self and relationships. I believe it is the therapist’s role to really listen and understand first who you are and what your goals are in therapy. I understand how difficult it is to share personal and private information to a therapist. I honor and respect your decision to do so in order to overcome your current obstacles.

My career has focused on people from all backgrounds and ages. At the Counseling and Diagnostic Center at Sacramento State I worked with adults from the general public with various problems or diagnoses. At the University of California Davis’ CAARE Center I worked with blended families with children dealing with trauma and teens with behavioral problems. My most recent work has been with adults with a full range of problems from lack of direction to infidelity.

Besides therapy, I have experience in research and assessment. I have worked with multiple batteries of assessments for children and adults, including addressing ADHD, PTSD, depression, anxiety, and addiction severity.

I typically work with adults with a variety of problems; such as depression, anxiety, and/or relationship problems. I have also worked with children and families with a history trauma. I use an eclectic approach to therapy starting with the person-centered (a warm, supportive therapeutic environment with genuineness and empathy), so I can really get to know my clients. If appropriate, we can use cognitive-behavioral techniques to actively work on changing problematic thoughts, feelings and behaviors. I particularly enjoy helping people via the psychoanalytic (helping to gain insight) method of talk therapy, where we can explore the core issues of problems and deal with them directly instead of treating ‘symptoms’. I also incorporate DBT (Dialectical Behavioral Therapy) techniques as needed for mood management and/or changing core belief systems with their root in childhood.

As a holistic therapist, I acknowledge the entire person. For clients interested in spiritual growth, I am trained in many techniques and theories dealing with spiritual growing pains; as well as, healing the various parts of the spiritual self through help from the God.

Besides my clinical work, I have volunteered with disabled children and adults, helping veterans reintegrating into civilian life, and tutoring children and adults in math over the years. I enjoy being a part of a diverse community and supporting those helping others in the greater Sacramento area.


Highlights

4 years in business
Serves Sacramento , CA
Offers online services

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Frequently asked questions

I typically can speak to them on the phone for 15 minutes for a free screening sessions to determine if they are a good fit for my practice.  If not, and I think they need something specific, I will certainly give them a recommendation of next steps.  I then will have them complete some Intake and Patient History Questionaires so I can understand them wholistically.  Typically the first 1-2 sessions is to determine the problems, relevant history and making a plan with usually at least three goals to accomplish with our work together. 

Cue Centered Treatment

Problem-Solving Therapy

TF-CBT (Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy).

PCIT (Parent-Child Interaction Therapy)


Services offered

Therapy
Family Therapy