Meet Raisa Shams, LPC (she/her/hers):

Hello! I’m a therapist at Olive Branch Therapy Group and a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC). I received my undergraduate degree in Psychology from Rutgers University and my graduate degree in Professional Counseling from Seton Hall University. I’ve been in practice since 2018.

My Therapy Specialties:

I specialize in working with adolescents and adults dealing with:

• anxiety, depression, stress, complex relational trauma, relationship issues, adjusting to new life transitions, self-esteem, grief, and the LGBTQ community.

I also have a particular interest in working with those who struggle with balancing their Asian identity with their American identity. I truly understand and respect South Asian, East Asian, and Middle Eastern cultures and religions.

What drew me to this work:

The combination of wanting to help others and finding human behavior fascinating is what drew me to this field. Human beings are social creatures. Many of us who are struggling feel alone and are in need of someone who they can confide in and be their support. I strive to be that person for my clients.

My style:

Warm, empathetic, genuine. I start by building a strong therapeutic relationship with my clients where they can trust me and feel safe with me. I use warmth and a non-judgemental, as well as a strengths-based approach where clients feel comfortable to share their thoughts and feelings. I like to pull from various evidence-based approaches and utilize what works best with each individual’s needs.

Services I offer:

In-person individual, couple, and family therapy.

Raisa Shams’s Credentials: