SHARA CONCEPCIÓN, LMSW (she/her)
Licensed in New York and New Jersey.
Hi, I’m Shara.
I know starting therapy can be scary. Whether you’re recovering from past trauma or struggling with life transitions, I am here to guide and support you as you take this courageous step towards greater insight, self-discovery, and wholeness. I work with clients seeking to overcome a range of issues, including early life trauma, loneliness and isolation, relationship and attachment issues, demoralization and struggles with motivation, existential angst, immigration and identity issues, self-esteem issues, injury and illness, and more.
As a proud native New Yorker of mixed heritage with a background in Latinx and world literatures, diversity and inclusion have always been important aspects of my life and work. I take great pride in providing culturally responsive and LGBTQ-affirming therapy to my clients. I understand that it can be hard to navigate social relationships and spaces, such as school and work, when you don’t quite fit in. I am here to help you process feelings of alienation, navigate major life changes, and better cope with the stressors of daily life.
Spirituality and other forms of meaning-making are a fundamental part of my personal experience, and I recognize how important it can be to one’s mental health and relationship to self and others. I believe a personal philosophy or spiritual orientation can give us a sense of purpose, meaning, and grounding in otherwise uncertain times. I have a great respect for all spiritual and religious belief systems, from traditional religions to new age practices and atheistic philosophies. I am open to incorporating spirituality, faith, and philosophy in our therapeutic work together.
SPECIALTIES
Attachment wounds related to dating, codependency, peer relationships, relationships
Anxiety
Biculturalism & multiculturalism
Burnout
Cultural adjustment
Grief
Life transitions (including caregiver stress & support)
LGBTQIA & Sexuality
Men's issues
Women's issues
Privilege
Racial & cultural identity
Self-harm
POPULATIONS
Children
Teens
Young Adults
Adults
Couples
My Approach
- Psychodynamic Therapy
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
- Mindfulness
- Trauma-informed psychotherapy
- LGBTQ+ affirming
- Multicultural counseling approach
I believe therapy is a creative and collaborative process of self-discovery. In session, I aim to be facilitative and exploratory while also offering skills and guidance where appropriate. My approach as a therapist is client-focused and tailored to a client’s individual needs. Together, we’ll explore your inner world and outer relationships as we work developing greater meaning and clarity in your life.
I draw from a variety of psychotherapeutic approaches including psychodynamic therapy, CBT, mindfulness, and more. Regardless of the approach, the goal is always the same: to generate greater insight, self-compassion, effective coping strategies, and more peace in your daily life. It can be hard to tap into our inner resources, but I’m here to help you along the way. If you are struggling to find motivation or just need someone to talk to, I invite you to reach out. I’m eager to begin our journey together.
About Me
As a therapist and human being, I am driven by an intense curiosity about the internal human experience, cultural systems, and the sometimes strange and mystifying world we all inhabit. Driven by this passion for learning, I obtained my BA in Psychology from Smith College and my MA in Gender and Cultural Studies at Simmons College. After working as a college lecturer of English literature and World Humanities, I culminated my educational journey at Columbia University, where I completed an MSW in clinical social work.
Empathy and compassion are values that undergird my work. I started my career in public service in 2009, when I joined AmeriCorps and conducted disaster response with the Federal Emergency Management Agency. I’ve also provided substance abuse counseling at Massachusetts Institute of Technology, art-based support to HIV/AIDs-affected parents and children, hunger-based outreach with Homes for the Homeless, academic and coaching support to youth in foster care, and more.
When not at work, I can most often be found walking through one of New York City’s public parks or museums. I love the arts, mythology, mysticism, religion, salsa dancing, traveling, making art, chess, and listening to most kinds of music. I am excited to explore all the things that make you dynamic, unique, and fully human as well.
Education
- M.S.W. Clinical Social Work, Columbia University (2023)
- M.A. Gender and Cultural Studies, Simmons College (2017)
- Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, Smith College (2014)
- Motivational Interviewing Certification, Columbia University (2022)
- Social Justice Conflict Mediation Certificate, Social Justice Mediation Institute (2013)
