Curriculum Vitae
Ph.D., LMHC, NCC, ACS — Counselor · Educator · Advocate
Licensed mental health counselor, best-selling author of six books, counselor educator, podcast host, and advocate dedicated to cultivating mental well-being at individual and collective levels. Owner of Integrated Counseling Solutions in Central Florida.
Education & Credentials
Service & Leadership
Appointed to the Dean’s Council for the University of Central Florida’s College of Community Innovation and Education.
Higher EducationCo-chairs the American Counseling Association Foundation’s Growth and Giving Committee, supporting the future of the counseling profession.
Professional LeadershipServes on the Board of Directors for To Write Love on Her Arms, a nonprofit dedicated to suicide prevention, self-harm recovery, and mental health advocacy.
Nonprofit BoardPast president of the Florida Association for Multicultural Counseling and Development, advancing culturally responsive counseling practices statewide.
AdvocacyServed on the Board of Directors for the Mental Health Association of Central Florida, supporting community mental health services and advocacy.
Community LeadershipSpeaking Engagements
Media Features
Research & Academic Contributions
Ongoing research in counselor identity development, self-love as a clinical construct, and innovative approaches to mental health education. Published through peer-reviewed journals and presented at national conferences.
ResearchAward-winning research in the Education category at both the university and Florida Statewide Research Symposium, contributing to the empirical understanding of counselor development.
Award-WinningDeveloping strengths-based therapeutic approaches that integrate self-love, generational healing, and cultural identity into clinical mental health counseling practice.
ClinicalTranslating clinical research into practical, accessible formats—books, podcasts, articles, and workshops—to bridge the gap between academic scholarship and public mental health literacy.
Public ScholarshipOngoing columns and expert contributions for Psychology Today, NAMI, the American Counseling Association, Yahoo, Thrive Global, and Medium — providing evidence-based insight on self-love, identity, and mental wellness to global audiences.
WritingPublications & Writing
Current column exploring practical strategies for mental wellness and self-care.
“Modern Mentality” blog — 40+ articles on mental health, identity, and self-love.
Long-form explorations of mental wellness, boundaries, and personal growth.
Contributing author on wellness, burnout prevention, and thriving in modern life.
Contributions to the National Alliance on Mental Illness supporting public education and advocacy.
Professional publications advancing the counseling field and clinician development.
Get in Touch
For speaking inquiries, media requests, consulting, or collaboration — Dr. Shainna would love to hear from you.
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