Barbara J. Shaya, LPC

Research has shown that the most important factor in a successful counseling experience is the relationship between the client and the counselor. That is why it is important to assure a good fit. Your counselor should be someone with whom you feel safe to discuss your thoughts and feelings at a pace that is comfortable for you.

My counseling style is based in humanistic, feminist multicultural, psychodynamic, and existential orientations; however, I utilize a variety of other modalities (i.e. EMDR, solution-focused therapy, Polyvagal Therapy, motivational interviewing, mindfulness skills training) within sessions as appropriate. Each client is systematically evaluated and assessed so that a counseling plan can be developed based on your individual needs and goals.

I entered the Counseling Profession later in life. I have an Undergraduate degree in Accounting and a Masters in Business Administration from Wayne State University. After 13 years in the Banking Industry, I left the workforce and later returned to school to pursue my true calling in the helping profession.

I received my Masters of Arts in Counseling with a Specialization in Mental Health from Oakland University in Rochester, Michigan. I am a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) through the State of Michigan and a National Certified Counselor (NBCC). I am a member of the American Counseling Association (ACA). I have a special interest in Trauma Recovery work. I am an active member of the International Society for the Study of Trauma and Dissociation (ISSTD). I am a PhD candidate in the Counselor Education department at Oakland University with a research focus on vicarious traumatization. 

In 2009, our family had the opportunity to move to Shanghai, China for a three-year period. While there, I had a thriving private practice working with expatriates from all around the world. I was active in the Shanghai International Mental Health Association, serving as its President during my final year in Shanghai. This was a fascinating and life-changing experience for me, one that has enhanced my appreciation of the universality of our human challenges and struggles.