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You Have Accomplished Everything They Said You Could. So Why Do I Still Feel Like This?
She's asked these questions through secret tears more times than she can count. On the surface she has it all together. She is the one everyone calls when things fall apart. She leads teams, manages deadlines, and still somehow remembers everyone's birthday. She goes to church on Sunday while juggling a million responsibilities and still leads three ministires. She struggles with chronic illness, caregiving or self doubt that she mostly keeps to herself because she does not have time to be sick or weak. She has been told more than once, by more than one doctor, that her pain is probably stress. She is tired in a way that a vacation does not fix. She has Googled "therapist for Black women" at 11pm and closed the tab after scrolling for hours.
And she is exactly who we built this practice for.
At Cheerful Heart, Shakira O'Garro, LMHC-D, LPCC, LPC, NCC works with high-achieving BIPOC women to address the places where chronic illness, faith distress, medical trauma, and the weight of high performance have collided. Using EMDR, ACT, and trauma-informed care within a faith-integrated framework, this is therapy that finally allows you to be seen and cared for.
Book a Free Consultation by submitting a form below or by clicking "Book a Consultation" and scheduling a time to connect.
Telehealth across New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, and California + In-person in White Plains NY
Evidence-Based Trauma Therapy for High-Achieving BIPOC Women
Every therapy experience is tailored to your unique needs using proven approaches such as EMDR, ACT, and PE to support meaningful and lasting growth.
Mental Health Support for BIPOC Women Living With Endometriosis, PMDD, and Chronic Pain
We honor the connection between physical and emotional health, helping you navigate the challenges of chronic illness and medical trauma with understanding and care.
Faith-Integrated Therapy for BIPOC Women: Healing Without Leaving Your Faith Behind
For clients seeking holistic healing, we offer faith-based counseling and faith-informed EMDR to nurture healing grounded in both faith and evidence-based practice.
Real Stories of
Transformation + Recovery
Shakira is helping me with self discovery and identifying ways to help me be more assertive and address situations head on. I am enjoying this process of unlearning certain traits that I have adapted over the years and changing my perspective on certain topics as well. Looking forward to updating Shakira on the progress I have made and some setbacks along the way.
Cheerful Heart Client - California
My therapist has been amazing so far! She listens to me and pays attention to areas I need to work on and provides great feedback and amazing tools in order for me to reach where I want to be. She creates a safe place for me to express myself and when I leave her sessions I come out feeling a little more stronger then I was before. I’m grateful to her.
Cheerful Heart Client - New York
Shakira is an Amazingly Empathetic, Passionate and Caring Therapist. She has expertise in working with those who struggle with Endometriosis but exudes sincerity and wisdom that will make any person from all walks of life feel safe, secure and comfortable.
Peaceful Pathways PLLC - Plattsburgh, NY
I’m incredibly grateful for my time with Shakira. She is remarkably easy to talk to in how she creates a safe and comfortable space where I feel truly heard and understood. Her culturally sensitive and trauma-informed approach has been invaluable, allowing me to feel respected and seen in all aspects of my identity. She explains treatment concepts clearly and memorably, which helps me feel empowered and engaged throughout my healing process. Her professionalism and receptiveness make each session feel productive and meaningful. I would highly recommend her to anyone seeking compassionate, culturally aware, and effective therapy.
Cheerful Heart Client - New York
I enjoy my sessions with Shakira as they are very enlightening and helpful. I’ve been truly blessed by her guidance and resources over the years.
Cheerful Heart Client - California
Shakira has been my favorite therapists for far, if I ever needed services again, I would definitely go back to her!! So caring, relatable, and gave me the consistent conversation I was looking for. She taught me how to self-soothe as well as other things that have helped me in the long run to come down from spiraling thoughts such as pausing, talking it out, going to the gym. Shakira was always there when I needed her🤍
Former Cheerful Heart Client - New York
Shakira O’Garro is an exceptional therapist. Shakira is caring compassionate and dedicated to her profession. Shakira has extensive training, experience and provides high quality of services.
Joanna Terrelonge, LMHC
Shakira provides holistic, personable therapy services. Her interest and clinical care around medical issues, especially Endometriosis (endo) and Adenomyosis (adeno), are strong. I highly recommend Shakira!
Lindsay Boudreau, MSW, LICSW
As a fellow counselor, I admire how deeply Shakira shows up for her clients-with integrity, empathy, and genuine care. She has a warm approach, and is committed to continually learning in order to meet her clients' needs.
Julianna S Hedberg, MA, LMHC
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