BLACK SON SHINE COUNSELING
Psychodynamic Therapy and Trauma Treatment for Black Men, Male Survivors of Sexual Trauma and Adults Seeking Lasting Change.
Shomari M. Harris, LCSW EMPA MA
Therapy for Deeper Understanding, Healing & Emotional Freedom
Many people spend years carrying burdens that few others ever see. These burdens may come from trauma, loss, difficult relationships, childhood experiences, identity conflicts, or the expectation that they must handle everything on their own. Over time, these experiences can shape how we relate to ourselves and others in ways that feel difficult to understand or change alone.
Therapy offers an opportunity to put these experiences into words, often for the first time. In doing so, people can begin to develop deeper self-understanding, emotional clarity, and a more grounded and connected way of living.
The Role of a Counselor
My role is not to provide quick answers or tell you how to live your life. Instead, I walk alongside you with curiosity, honesty, and compassion as we explore the experiences, relationships and patterns that continue to shape your present.
People come to therapy having spent years managing things alone. I believe therapy works best when it becomes a space where you no longer have to do that. Therapy is most effective when your experiences can be spoken, explored, and understood in a way that allows for healing, emotional repair and a stronger sense of self.
Shomari M. Harris, LCSW EMPA MA
About Your Counselor
I believe that many of the struggles people face in adulthood have roots in experiences that were never fully understood, processed, or given space to be explored. Whether those experiences involve trauma, difficult relationships, loss, family dynamics, identity, or simply years of carrying more than others realize, therapy can offer an opportunity to better understand yourself and create meaningful, lasting change. As a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with more than a decade of experience, I work with individuals navigating trauma, anxiety, depression, relationship challenges, and life transitions. While I welcome people from all walks of life, much of my work has centered on communities and experiences that resonate with my own lived experience and personal identity. This includes Black men, helping professionals, creatives, LGBTQ+ and adult survivors of childhood sexual abuse and sexual trauma. I understand that many of these experiences are often carried in silence, shaped by expectations, stigma, isolation or the feeling that there is little room to be fully seen and understood. My approach is grounded in psychodynamic therapy, psychoanalysis and motivational interviewing. I view therapy as a collaborative process built on curiosity, honesty and trust. Rather than focusing solely on symptoms, I help clients explore the patterns, relationships and experiences that continue to shape their lives, often outside of conscious awareness. Together, we work toward greater self-understanding, emotional freedom and more fulfilling relationships. Over the years, I have found that meaningful therapeutic work often begins when people no longer feel they have to explain every aspect of who they are before they can begin exploring what they are carrying. My goal is to create a space where clients feel respected, challenged, understood and able to engage honestly with the parts of themselves and their stories that may have gone unspoken for years. In addition to my clinical work, I serve as an Adjunct Lecturer at Columbia University School of Social Work, where I teach Motivational Interviewing to future social workers. I earned Master’s degrees in Social Work and Executive Public Administration from New York University. Seeking therapy is not always easy. If you’re considering this step, I endeavor to provide a space where difficult experiences can be explored openly and thoughtfully, and where growth, healing and self-understanding can take root.
Where Black Son Shine Counseling Excels
Therapy for Black Men
Many Black men grow up carrying expectations to remain strong, self-reliant and emotionally guarded. Therapy can provide a space to explore identity, relationships, family dynamics, stress, trauma, grief and emotional well-being without judgment.
Healing for Male Survivors of Sexual Abuse & Sexual Trauma
Frequently men who have experienced sexual abuse, assault, exploitation, or unwanted sexual
experiences carry the effects silently for years. Therapy can help address shame, trust issues,
intimacy concerns, depression, anxiety and the lasting effects of trauma in a safe and confidential
environment.
Therapy for Creatives
Creatives often carry challenges that are rarely seen by their audiences. I provide a space for artists, musicians, performers and other creative professionals to explore identity, relationships, trauma and the emotional demands of their work.
Therapy for LGBTQ+
Therapy can offer a space to explore identity, heal from difficult experiences, strengthen relationships and live with greater authenticity, connection and self-acceptance. I work with the LGBTQ+ community to illuminate a deeper understanding of themselves, their relationships and the experiences that have shaped their lives.
Therapy for Helping Professionals, Educators & Leadership
Those who spend their lives leading, supporting, or caring for others often carry responsibilities that leave little room for their own emotional needs. I provide a space to explore the personal, relational, and professional experiences that shape one’s life, with the goal of fostering greater self-understanding, balance and meaningful change.
BLACK SON SHINE COUNSELING
The Black Son Shine Approach
My work is grounded in psychodynamic therapy, psychoanalysis and motivational interviewing. Therapy is a collaborative process built on curiosity, honesty and trust. Rather than focusing only on symptoms, we explore the deeper patterns, relationships and lived experiences that shape how you think, feel and relate to others.
Over time, this work supports deeper understanding, emotional integration and greater emotional freedom in your life and relationships.
CREDENTIALS
New York State LICENSED CLINICAL SOCIAL WORKER (LCSW)
Maryland LICENSED CLINICAL SOCIAL WORKER - CERTIFIED (LCSW-C)
I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with more than a decade of experience. I earned Master’s degrees in Social Work and Executive Public Administration from New York University and hold a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Communications from Southern University.
I also serve as an Adjunct Lecturer at Columbia University School of Social Work, where I teach Motivational Interviewing to future clinicians.
For NY based clients, tap the link above to check-in for your virtual session. You will be directed to the waiting room for Black Son Shine Counseling on Doxy.me.
For clients based in Washington D.C., Maryland & Virginia, tap this link to be re-directed to The DMV practice, Elocin Recovery Services
CONTACT ME
Whether you’re navigating trauma, relationship challenges, anxiety, depression or seeking a deeper understanding of yourself, I invite you to schedule a consultation to discuss how therapy may help.