In the labyrinth of life, amidst the twists and turns of our personal narratives, there often arises a need for guidance, understanding, and healing. Enter Sheila R. Trabelsi, an esteemed figure in the realm of mental health, armed not only with credentials but with a profound commitment to facilitating growth and transformation. As a licensed professional counselor, certified EMDR practitioner, and adept in a myriad of therapeutic modalities, Sheila’s approach at Path to Growth Therapy LLC transcends the conventional. Join Mystic Mag as we delve into the tapestry of Sheila’s journey, weaving through her expertise and passion for empowering individuals to navigate their paths towards profound healing and self-discovery.
What inspired you to establish Path to Growth Therapy as an exclusive online therapy service for professionals seeking change?
Several factors have influenced and inspired my desire to start Path to Growth Therapy focused on working with motivated professionals. First, I recognize the need for accessible, flexible, and confidential therapy options for busy professionals who may struggle to attend in-person sessions due to their schedules or preferences. Like many of my clients, I also am a high achieving professional that understands the stress of managing others, spreading yourself thin between all the many hats that must be worn at work and at home, and the desire to continue to grow both personally and professionally, and have learned the keys to managing successfully. My practice allows me to mentor, cheerlead, inspire, teach, and coach my clients in unique ways to reach their goals. There is nothing more satisfying than seeing my clients feel more confident, and inspired to do big things and reach their goals.
How do you integrate your EMDR training into your therapeutic approach, particularly when working with professionals navigating career-related challenges?
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is a therapeutic approach often used to address trauma and related symptoms. When working with professionals navigating career-related challenges, EMDR techniques can be integrated to help process past experiences or current stressors that are impacting their professional lives. This might involve using EMDR to target specific memories, beliefs, or emotions related to their careers and help them develop more adaptive coping strategies. The best way in which I like to use EMDR with professionals is helping them to build confidence towards reaching their goals, whether it be successfully navigating an interview, tackling a speaking engagement or even enhancing their leadership skills.
What type of services do you offer?
I offer a wide variety of services at Path to Growth Therapy including individual therapy sessions and coaching that focus on incorporating stress management techniques, mindfulness practices, skills development for leadership and accelerated therapy intensive programs lasting from 1-3 days (3 hours each) tailored to the needs of professionals who don’t have the time for weekly therapy and looking for faster results. The therapy intensives I offer cover programming such as healing your inner child to building professional confidence and are tailored to my clients’ goals and include a workbook and augmentation package full of items to enhance their therapeutic experience that is delivered directly to their door. These services are also available virtually! Currently, my therapy services are only offered in Colorado; however, my coaching services are available nationwide. A wide range of programming can be found on my website at www.pathtogrowththerapy.com.
In what ways do you believe online therapy uniquely benefits professionals compared to traditional in-person therapy settings?
Online therapy offers several unique benefits for professionals, including convenience, flexibility in scheduling, accessibility from any location with internet access, increased privacy and confidentiality, and the ability to communicate with a therapist from the comfort of their own environment. I know that my clients’ time is valuable and online therapy allows them to spend their time in a more meaningful way without stressing about parking and rushing from place to place.
What strategies do you employ to create a safe and supportive environment for professionals who may be experiencing burnout or work-related stress?
Creating a safe and supportive environment for professionals experiencing burnout or work-related stress involves fostering a nonjudgmental and empathetic therapeutic relationship, validating their experiences and emotions, providing practical coping strategies and stress management techniques, promoting self-care practices, and offering a confidential space for them to explore their concerns and challenges without fear of repercussions. I use a top-down and bottom-up approach to working with my clients, which means that we work on the challenging thoughts, reframing and addressing limiting language that reduces their ability to manage stress, while also learning tools to manage how stress manifests in the body. My clients walk away feeling empowered and full of skills that work for them, helping them to feel more confident and less stressed.
Can you discuss the role of self-care in your practice, both for yourself as a therapist and for your clients who are professionals managing demanding careers?
Self-care is essential for both therapists and clients managing demanding careers. I model healthy self-care practices for my clients by prioritizing my own well-being, setting boundaries, practicing mindfulness and stress management techniques, and seeking support when needed. Outside of client time I make sure to incorporate time for myself in lots of fun and relaxing ways. It is imperative to everyone’s overall well-being to incorporate personalized self-care routines into their daily lives to manage stress, prevent burnout, and enhance their overall well-being, and I love to work with clients to rediscover what they love to do both personally and professionally and live more fulfilling lives.
