We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Shameela Keshavjee. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Shameela below.

Shameela, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Was there a defining moment in your professional career? A moment that changed the trajectory of your career?

The pandemic lockdown changed everything for so many therapists. Standards of care and continuity of care became major focal points when we could no longer see our clients inside an office space. Some of us were comfortable with online therapy already, but the number of therapists and clients who were forced into telehealth overwhelmed both the logistical and the emotional resources available at the time. Anxiety spiked as we tried to accommodate our clients’ needs for privacy, develop appropriate treatment strategies that could be performed online, and manage our own feelings about the pandemic as it was unfolding in real time.

I am grateful that I was already fairly familiar with telehealth, as I was providing services via video long before the lockdown started. Thus, my transition was less about how it would work and more about what it would mean for my practice and my goals as a therapist.

As it turned out, I enjoyed working from home and having more flexibility. I became excited to work with clients from all over Texas who would never have been able to meet with me at my physical location. They always had access to my services, but the lockdown required that clients be open to telehealth in a way they might never have previously considered.

My office lease was up for renewal in August of 2020. Like most people, I had barely set foot in my office for months and the few times I did felt disruptive to the “new normal” that had quickly taken root. After speaking with my clients about their experiences, I learned that many of them also appreciated the convenience and flexibility of meeting online. Even the ones who looked forward to resuming in-person sessions eventually came to prefer virtual therapy. Of course, there were some who wanted to return to sharing the same space with me. However, the value of the work my clients and I do together outweighed any disappointment about not meeting in my office.

So when the time came to renew, I let the lease go. It was frightening to take the leap, especially when I knew people would one day return to pre-pandemic behavior. But committing to an online practice has really allowed me to thrive as a therapist in ways I didn’t imagine. I can reach more clients, which means I can help more people. Working online challenges me to be creative in my therapeutic approach, as interventions that worked in person have to be tailored for a video session. And without a commute or an office to manage, I am able to pour more energy back into myself, which is a fundamental necessity for anyone in a helping profession. The more I focus on my own self-care, creative expression, and personal relationships, the more effective I am as a therapist.

While I recognize the collective trauma the pandemic has been for all of us, I am grateful for the way many of us pivoted and prioritized client care. For me personally, I’m grateful I took this opportunity to take a risk and have flourished as a result.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers

I am a licensed marriage and family therapist, which means I deal in relationships. Not just between you and other people, but also between you and yourself. Your relationship with yourself is your gateway into developing healthy bonds with family, friends, lovers, and coworkers.

The more awareness you have about your own emotions, thoughts, and behavior patterns, the better able you will be to show up openly and honestly in a relationship. I help clients who are single and coupled up communicate and deepen intimacy.

I graduated with an M.S. in marital and family therapy from Northwestern University’s The Family Institute in Evanston, IL, in 2005 and then cut my teeth doing crisis intervention and prevention work in different social services agencies. My goal was always to work in a private practice, so I started a side business in Denton, TX, in 2010. I completely left agency work in 2011 to work for a group practice in Denton, but eventually struck out on my own, opening up a solo practice in Southlake, TX, in 2014. I transitioned to a fully virtual practice in 2020.

I use a strengths-based, collaborative approach that allows you to feel understood and safe as you share your personal experiences with me. I often help clients with their identity development, improve their relationships, get better acquainted with their emotions, and learn how to communicate more effectively. In our work together, we may address sexuality, family history, trauma, infidelity, and any other contexts that may impact your well-being (e.g.; school, work, community, religion, culture, etc.).

I bring my genuine personality into sessions and am willing to share my own responses to your experiences. I am a human on the other end of the video screen, not an automaton. When you work with me, I try to let you know that I’m doing my best to understand your experience, even if it’s unfamiliar to me. With humor, patience, and curiosity, I’ll work to create a space where you can self-reflect, make mistakes, and build new skills. I will encourage you to celebrate your small victories and remind you to be realistic with your expectations. We will start with your dreams and work backwards to build your present-day reality.

I tend to work most effectively with young and middle-aged adults and couples where both partners are invested in working on the relationship. I welcome LGBTQIA+ clients and same-gender couples. I am also very comfortable and familiar with the South Asian culture and Islam.

Putting training and knowledge aside, what else do you think really matters in terms of succeeding in your field?

Aside from training/knowledge, one of the most important aspects of succeeding as a therapist is remembering that you’re also a human. Spending time with important people, prioritizing interests outside of work, and any other self-care activities are fundamental to your well-being as a person, which naturally impacts your ability to be an effective therapist. If you forget to pour into other aspects of your identity, you run the risk of burning out. So honor all parts of who you are and let that inform your professional identity too.

Remembering that you’re human also includes being humble and open to feedback. You will make mistakes or feel unsure of yourself–a lot–and so it is vital that you get comfortable asking for help. Seek supervision or consultation from other therapists who can reinforce your strengths but also challenge you to grow.

Also know that humans differ from each other. Some humans are fulfilled by their work, others are not. Some humans are willing and able to see 30-40 clients per week, some prefer 12-15. As long as you are following your ethical guidelines, there is no right or wrong way to be a successful therapist. You get to decide what that looks like, so make it your own!

Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?

Perhaps it goes without saying, but I care about the work I do. The fact that people come to me, share deeply intimate information with me, and trust me to help and heal is an incredible privilege and responsibility. I take this very seriously. It was instilled in me as a trainee to act with intention. Any conversation I initiate or task that I assign is rooted in my education and experience; and when I make a mistake, I own it.

I think clients feel the sense of appreciation and accountability I bring to our work, and this makes them more likely to return for future sessions and to send their friends and family to me.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.therapywithshameela.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shameela.lmft/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/therapywithshameela
• Youtube: https://youtu.be/15PivScNWJc
• Other: Blog: https://therapywithshameela.com/blog/ Goodtherapy blog: https://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/?blogsearch=shameela&fmode=author

Image Credits
Teresa Gardner Chuck Davies