Sharon Chege
I work with older adults and the family members who care for them, helping people steady themselves through changes in health, grief, loneliness, and the loss of independence. After more than 12yrs in this work, I've seen how much lighter things can feel when you have a calm practical space to sort through things.
I believe that people have the capacity for growth, healing and positive change when they experience a safe, supportive therapeutic environment. Rather than immediately trying to fix the problem, I strive to create an environment where people feel heard, understood, respected and accepted.
"If your juggling work, family and caring for a parent, it's easy to lose track of who you are outside of those roles. Together, well look at realistic ways to lighten the load so you can ease the overwhelm and care for others without losing yourself". I am bilingual in English and Swahili, and I've worked with people from many cultural backgrounds. I know sharing your story to a new person can feel restless, so I'll meet you at whatever pace feels comfortable to you. I believe that people have the capacity for growth, healing and positive change when they experience a safe, supportive therapeutic environment. Rather than immediately trying to fix the problem, I strive to create an environment where people feel heard, understood, respected and accepted.
First session
Your first session is an opportunity and safe space for you to share .man’s for us to get to know each other . We’ll explore your concerns, current stressors, what support means most meaningful to you and your goals at a pace that feels comfortable for you. My goal is to create a supportive, nonjudgmental environment where you feel heard, respected, and understood. We will work collaboratively to begin developing goals that are realistic, supportive, and aligned with your values .
Strengths
One of the greatest strengths that I bring to a therapy session is my ability to create a safe, and nonjudgmental space where clients feel heard, understood and respected. I am bilingual and I have experienced leaving and working with people from different cultural backgrounds and beliefs. I bring strong active listening skills, empathy, patience and the ability to see the whole person beyond their presenting concerns. My clients appreciate my warm , compassionate, collaborative, calm and practical approach. I believe clients are the experts in their own lives, and my role is to help them gain insight, identify their strengths, develop practical coping strategies and work toward a meaningful change at their own pace.
Ideal clients
My ideal client population is Working with older adults and their caregivers dealing with the complexity of changes in health, family dynamics, grief, loss of independence, isolation and loneliness. I also enjoy working with immigrants and parents who are experiencing the challenges of balancing work , family and career / caregiving and helping them navigate without loosing themselves in the different roles .
Origin story
Growing up as part of a large family with limited resources, I learned the values of resilience, perseverance, and community. My journey was not without challenges. I struggled with confidence, questioned my worth, and often felt unseen and ignored . Those experiences shaped my understanding of how deeply people need to feel valued, understood, and supported. Today, in my work as a therapist, I strive to create a welcoming, nonjudgmental space where clients feel seen, heard, and respected. Every person carries a unique story and deserves the opportunity to have their story honored with dignity, curiosity, and compassion. I believe healing begins when we recognize our strengths, challenge limiting beliefs and embrace the possibility of growth. It warms my heart to support people during some of the most challenging moments of their lives and to see them take small steps towards emotional growth and healing. I also know what compassion, understanding, and thoughtful guidance can do to help people feel less alone and begin to see possibilities that may have been difficult to recognize on their own.
Treatment methods
Psychodynamic
Worked with older adults experiencing depression related to loss, illness, retirement or loneliness, anxiety about health decline, falls, finances, caregiving, hopelessness. Helping older adults with practical support integrated with practical skills like increasing coping skills through behavior activation, thought tracking, coping with chronic illness, grief processing and support.
Dialectical Behavior (DBT)
Working with older adults experiencing mental health challenges, loss , pain by using DBT skills like distress tolerance ( for pain, hospitalizations, mobility decline, waiting for medical outcome) radical acceptance of physical limitation, family estrangement, accepting chronic illness), emotional regulation( naming their emotions, identity triggers ), interpersonal effectiveness ( during family conflict, boundary setting,assentiveness with caregivers)
Motivational Interviewing
Working with adults and caregivers experiencing work/ conflict, burnout , depression, anxiety by using open ended questions to explore emotions, ambivalence, values. Using affirmations to affirm strength, resilience and values and also using reflective listening .
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
By using CBT, the goal is to help clients recognize what they can change, develop healthier responses and cope more effectively with what they cannot control.
Person-centered (Rogerian)
I believe that clients have the capacity for growth, healing and positive change when they experience a safe, supportive therapeutic environment. Rather than immediately trying to fix the problem, I strive to create an environment where client feel herd, understood, respected and accepted.
Location
Virtual sessions
Identifies as
Top specialties
Other specialties
Serves
Doesn't specialize in
Licensed in
- OhioLicense I.2607797