EMDR and Christian counseling for women carrying chronic illness, medical trauma, and a faith that feels shaken — by telehealth in Charleston, Columbia, Greenville, and across the Palmetto State.
If you’ve been searching for a Black Christian therapist in South Carolina who actually understands chronic pain, medical gaslighting, and what it’s like to love God while feeling angry at Him, you’re in the right place.
You’ve prayed through it. Pushed through it. Kept showing up for everyone while your own body and your own faith were wasting away. But at Cheerful Heart Mental Health Counseling, you finally get to put it down. Our founder, Shakira K. O’Garro, LMHC-D, LPCC, LPC, NCC, is a Black woman living with Stage IV endometriosis and adenomyosis herself — so you won’t have to over-explain why your diagnosis is wrecking more than just your body.
Care is delivered through secure telehealth to women in Charleston, Columbia, Greenville, Mount Pleasant, Rock Hill, Spartanburg, Myrtle Beach, Hilton Head, and every corner of South Carolina.
What We Help With, Available by Telehealth Across SC
- Individual therapy for anxiety, depression, burnout, and life transitions — built around your real life, not a checklist.
- Chronic illness counseling with specialized expertise in endometriosis, PMDD, adenomyosis, and autoimmune conditions.
- EMDR therapy for medical trauma, PTSD, and the distress your nervous system still braces for. Faith-informed EMDR available.
- EMDR groups — including GREP2 for single Christians with dating anxiety and G-TEP groups for women with endometriosis and medical trauma.
- EMDR intensives that condense weeks of work into a focused half-day or full-day format.
- Christian counseling that holds your church hurt, spiritual burnout, and crisis of faith without spiritual bypassing.
- EndoKin Collective — a cohort-based EMDR group for Black women living with endometriosis and medical trauma.
A Note on Clinical Supervision
Clinical supervision for limited-permit and permit-pending counselors is currently offered in New York only, where Shakira holds diagnostic privilege (LMHC-D). If you’re a New York clinician seeking trauma-informed, reflective supervision, you can learn more on our Clinical Supervision page.
Cheerful Heart is always cooking up something new! You can sign up for our newsletter at the bottom of this page to stay abreast of updates on when Shakira will be able to supervise counselors in South Carolina, California, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Connecticut. It’s in the works!
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you offer online therapy in South Carolina?
Yes. Cheerful Heart provides secure telehealth throughout South Carolina, including Charleston, Columbia, Greenville, and statewide. Shakira is licensed as an LPC in South Carolina.
Can I find a Black Christian therapist in South Carolina who specializes in chronic illness?
Yes. We specialize in supporting Black and BIPOC Christian women living with endometriosis, adenomyosis, PMDD, and autoimmune conditions — integrating evidence-based EMDR with genuine respect for your faith.
How does EMDR help with medical trauma?
EMDR helps your brain reprocess distressing memories (i.e.: dismissive doctors, painful procedures, years of diagnostic delay) so they stop triggering a fight-or-flight response in your day-to-day life. We use specialized protocols like R-TEP and G-TEP built for medical trauma.
Do I have to be Christian to work with you?
No. We specialize in faith-integrated care for Black Christian women, but we warmly welcome clients of all faiths, races, and backgrounds. We are an inclusive practice.
You’ve carried this long enough on your own. Book your free 15-minute consultation and let’s talk about what healing could actually look like for you.
