Meet your therapist
Hi!
I’m Sheila Verna
Licensed Social Worker, associate therapist
⭐ About Sheila
I am in what you would call in an “encore career”, pivoting after a fulfilling career in the fashion business, then many years as a stay-at-home mom. Channeling that experience along with acquiring a Masters in Social Work, serving on the local Board of Education for over ten years, dedicating several years to directing the “Youth Council” at a local non-profit and blending all of that together, I strive to provide a comprehensive, well thought-out, therapeutic experience for your child and your family.
🙂 Style
Compassionate (and PASSIONATE), high energy (enthusiastic), authentic, and perceptive.
👍 Fun facts about Sheila
Superpower 🦸
The ability to convey authentic caring. I have been told by many they feel like I genuinely care for them and I give credence to it because it's not something you can pretend. I believe each person is an individual with unique components in their systems that requires customized attention and intervention.Free Time ☀️
I LOVE to cook/ entertain, play tennis, read (all kinds of books but mostly enjoy memoirs, WWII historical fiction and self-help books), spending quality time with my dog :), spending time with my friends and family, pilates/ yoga, the list goes on and on! It’s a good thing I don't need a lot of sleep.
📚 Specialities
Adjustment, Acculturation Stress, Anxiety, Depression, Emotional Regulation, Inattention, Defiance, Parent-Child Conflict, School Issues, Separation Anxiety, Self-confidence Issues, Social Skills Training, Substance use disorder.
👥 Approach
Brief Psychodynamic Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Family Systems, Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT), Motivational Interviewing (MI), Strength-Based Therapy.
🤝 Works with
Children, Early Teens.
🎓 Credentials
Masters in Social Work at Columbia University.
Available in New Jersey.
➕ More about Sheila
My approach is first and foremost working through a positive psychology lens, working with the child and their family’s strengths. Identifying the strengths and capitalizing on them fosters awareness, organic change and growth. Along with those, comes the most powerful therapeutic change-maker, intrinsic motivation. With intrinsic motivation, a child WANTS to make the changes for themselves, even though it takes mindful effort. It’s one of the key elements in building self-confidence and children understanding the power they hold within themselves to effect change in their lives.
📺 Watch Sheila’s welcome video for you
What families are saying about Sheila
“Sheila is extremely engaged and invested it making a difference with (our child) and coaching our parenting. I respect her opinions and feel very comfortable with her approach.”
— Manatee parent
“She has been so helpful for him, we don't think they would have made it through the last year without her support, we are so happy that Sheila has provided a nonjudgmental, supportive environment that allowed him to thrive.”
— Manatee parent