Shama Winston-Ford received her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Master of Science in Clinical Counseling from Charleston Southern University in Charleston, SC . Shama works with clients experiencing anxiety, depression, disruptive behaviors, relationship challenges, self-esteem, and trauma. She has received trainings in TF-CBT, EMDR and Play Therapy. Over the past three years, she has taught Emotional Regulation classes and Social Emotional classes at Horizons summer camp (hosted at Ashley Hall school) which is for young women who attend under resourced schools in the tri-county. Through this experience she has come to realize the need for open communication when it comes to understanding the why behind feelings. Authenticity and transparency are important to her; she considers herself a TLE (therapist with lived experience). She has an eclectic approach that includes mindfulness, psychodynamic and cognitive behavioral techniques with an eye toward how people can use their support system, community resources, mindfulness and newly learned skills to live the kind of life they envision for themselves while keeping careful consideration of cultural concerns and practices. She believes that each person has their own story that has shaped what they are currently experiencing. Through her work as a therapist, she strives to foster a safe space where clients can tell their story, gain insight into how that has impacted them, and create a new reality that is more fulfilling. She meets her clients and their families where they are at therapeutically and provides a safe and accepting environment to help each individual feel secure throughout the process. She believes in utilizing multiple supports while exploring executive functioning strengths and weaknesses and how they impact my client’s life.