Shakina Small, LPC
Faith-informed, trauma-aware counseling for meaningful change
- 26 years of experience
- Eclectic creative therapy methods
- Trauma relationships and family
About Shakina Small
Shakina Small, LPC, is a Licensed Professional Counselor in Pennsylvania with 26 years of experience providing psychotherapy and behavioral consultation. She identifies as a Messianic Jewish believer in Yeshua (Jesus) and, when requested, offers Christian-based therapy for people seeking a holistic, faith-integrated approach. Her background also includes work as a minister, and she has supported clients facing a wide range of concerns, including trauma and abuse, anxiety, depression, marital and relationship challenges, couples and family concerns, parenting stress, career difficulties, learning disabilities, and the needs of teens, youth, and adoptees.
Across her career, she has worked in varied environments such as prisons, schools, churches, residential treatment programs, group homes, inpatient and outpatient settings, and foster care. She brings an empathetic, engaging, and educational style to sessions and, when needed, is direct while aiming to speak the truth in love to support growth. She emphasizes respect, sensitivity, and compassion, and strives to create a supportive space where clients can share difficult and deeply personal experiences.
Her work draws from an eclectic blend of approaches and creative methods to help clients explore emotions and patterns in fresh, nontraditional ways. She may incorporate a range of techniques, including cognitive and emotionally focused strategies, as well as expressive outlets such as writing and poetry to help evoke insight and change. Informed by lived experience as an abuse survivor, an adoptee, and a former young mother, she is committed to helping people identify root causes of dysfunctional behavior, interrupt toxic cycles, and move forward rather than remaining stuck in past hurts.
Across her career, she has worked in varied environments such as prisons, schools, churches, residential treatment programs, group homes, inpatient and outpatient settings, and foster care. She brings an empathetic, engaging, and educational style to sessions and, when needed, is direct while aiming to speak the truth in love to support growth. She emphasizes respect, sensitivity, and compassion, and strives to create a supportive space where clients can share difficult and deeply personal experiences.
Her work draws from an eclectic blend of approaches and creative methods to help clients explore emotions and patterns in fresh, nontraditional ways. She may incorporate a range of techniques, including cognitive and emotionally focused strategies, as well as expressive outlets such as writing and poetry to help evoke insight and change. Informed by lived experience as an abuse survivor, an adoptee, and a former young mother, she is committed to helping people identify root causes of dysfunctional behavior, interrupt toxic cycles, and move forward rather than remaining stuck in past hurts.
Areas of Expertise
Primary Focus
Also Specializes In
AddictionsIntimacy-related issuesParenting issuesAnger managementCareer difficultiesBipolar disorderCoping with life changesADHD
Additional Focus Areas
AbandonmentAdoption and foster careAttachment issuesBlended family issuesBody imageCodependencyCommitment issuesCommunication problemsControl issuesDivorce and separationDomestic violenceDrug and alcohol addictionEmptinessFamily problemsFatherhood issuesForgivenessGuilt and shameInfidelityIntellectual disabilityIsolation / lonelinessLife purposeMoney and financial issuesMood disordersPanic disorder and panic attacksPost-traumatic stressSelf-loveSex addictionSocial anxiety and phobiaWomen's issuesYoung adult issues
Therapeutic Approach
Client-Centered Therapy Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT) Existential Therapy Motivational Interviewing Psychodynamic Therapy Solution-Focused Therapy Trauma-Focused Therapy Internal Family Systems
Frequently Asked Questions
How much experience does Shakina Small have?
Shakina Small has 26 years of experience providing counseling and psychotherapy.
Is Shakina Small a licensed therapist?
Yes. Shakina Small is an LPC (Licensed Professional Counselor) in Pennsylvania. License number: PA LPC PC016304.
In which languages does Shakina Small provide therapy?
She provides therapy in English.
Where is Shakina Small located?
Shakina Small is located in Pennsylvania.
How can I work with Shakina Small as my therapist?
You can work with Shakina Small through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging, depending on what fits your needs and what is available.
Does Shakina Small work with international clients?
No. Shakina Small does not currently work with international clients.
How much does therapy with Shakina Small cost?
The cost of therapy can vary based on factors like your location and the therapist’s availability. Sessions are billed through a subscription that can be canceled at any time, for any reason. For current pricing and options, click the “Start Therapy” button on this page.
How can I get started with therapy?
Getting started is quick and straightforward. Click the “Start Therapy” button and complete a short questionnaire to help match you with your therapist. Depending on availability, you can then schedule your first session, which may take place by phone, video call, live chat, or in-app messaging.
Therapeutic Approaches That Translate Well to Online Care
Shakina Small, LPC, draws from evidence-informed methods that can be effective in an online format, especially when life feels overwhelming or relationships feel strained.Client-Centered Therapy focuses on creating a supportive, respectful space where clients can explore what they are feeling and what they want to change. It can be helpful for concerns like self-esteem, coping with life transitions, and making sense of painful experiences. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) looks at the connection between thoughts, emotions, and behaviors, helping clients notice unhelpful patterns and practice more workable responses. Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) adds practical skills for emotion regulation, distress tolerance, and interpersonal effectiveness, which can be useful when strong emotions, conflict, or impulsive reactions get in the way.
Finding the right approach is part of the process. Shakina Small collaborates with clients to identify goals, preferences, and what has or has not helped in the past, then tailors sessions to match the client’s needs and pace.
Online therapy also offers flexible ways to connect, including video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging. This variety can make it easier to fit support into a busy schedule, keep momentum between sessions, and choose the format that feels most comfortable day to day.