About me
I have been a social worker for over ten years. I am an active-duty Navy spouse and Mom and understand the stress involved with living a military life, whether it's deployments or long hours or simply being on-call 24/7. I have had the opportunity to volunteer with spouses that struggle with the military life, and normalizing some of the problems that arise is very fulfilling.
I want to let you know about some of the work that I've done and loved over the last twelve years.
I originally started working with high risk children in NC, but this position ended after 10 months as I left the position due to a personal choice to leave the state.
Working with high-risk children was a difficult position. The children that I saw were all seen for state mandated therapy in my office and brought by either parents or agency sponsors. I did a lot of art based therapy with these children as I did not get much if any access to the parents for parental guidance. I helped the children work on self-esteem and self reliance in addition to doing regular abuse screenings. Moving forward to 2012-2015....the past three years have been at my private practice. I have worked more with families than children individually. I have worked on developing and maintaining good parenting skills and maintaining good boundaries and limits. Some families really appreciated the "Magic 123"approach. Where others preferred individual plans that worked for their individual families (whether it be a family with a child on the spectrum that required time lines and consistency or twins with ADHD that used behavior modification charts with motivating factors dictating the modifications and of course consistency).
From 2015-2017 I was blessed to have obtained a job as the Regional Director of a community center in Jacksonville, NC. I was able to use my skills and experience to supervise young and new Social Workers and LPC's. I was able to network with the local community and grow the small business into a budding program with immense potential. When my family and I left the NC area I was proud to have been a part of this growing community center and knew that I was leaving the families, children, and the community in a healthier place than when I started.
I did work for a short period in and inpatient adult psychiatric unit and after only a short time I knew that this was not my calling. After my inpatient high-risk psychiatric experience I went back to my roots which I found while attending Baylor University and working on my MSW. While I was in school was when grief and bereavement became my clinical and academic focus. I have always had a passion for those experiencing loss. My internships were with a local hospice in Mexia, TX and another specialty clinic in Waco, TX that worked exclusively with Alzheimer's patients. I did my master's thesis on Alzheimer's and sensory therapy.
Alzheimer's disease is a very difficult disease to help people through because the caregiver and the patient need two totally different things. The caregiver is dealing with premature loss and anticipatory grief while the patient is dealing with reminiscent therapy and often sensory therapy.
I moved to Baltimore Maryland and started my work at the Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center @ Johns Hopkins Hospital and loved every minute I was there in oncology. My specialties were gastro-intestinal cancers and melanoma. I sat weekly on the tumor boards for the weekly reviewed cases and had the privilege of working with the families that were chosen for treatment. I met them on their first day and stayed with these families until death or discharge of treatment. I had the honor to present more than on grand rounds (one on Ethics and the other one "Difficult Families"). Being able to have a part in any of my families journeys was a privilege. These families allowed me to guide them on one of the most personal losses in life the death of a loved one. Grief and bereavement have always been close to me and my practice and I encourage any survivors to thrive not simply survive and am willing to work on that concept with clients.
During my private practice work I rely heavily on solution focused approaches and my therapy is very narrative in nature and requires work from not only me, but mostly the client. I do use cognitive behavioral techniques when appropriate, but I am not afraid of delving into any theory or technique that I believe will assist the client.
I have surprisingly enjoyed working with couples. Couples (in my experience) tend to have a different kind of motivation for change. They are either more willing to work or they come in already being finished (in which case they don't stay long). I believe in teaching my couples not only how to hear but to listen. Empathy and validation are constant focuses in regards to my couples.
As far as my individual work with those experiencing anxiety or depression the idea is to focus more on what is causing the problems/anxieties than it is to focus on the physical aspects of the depression and anxiety. I as the therapist know and can see that you are depressed or anxious, and the physical manifestations that these diagnoses are creating, but my job is to isolate the "why?" and help to work you through the trigger. I do not hesitate to recommend seeing an MD when I recognize that talk-therapy is not where a client needs to start.
I love what I do and my job is something that look forward to every day. I would be happy and it would be a privilege to help and assist in any way possible.
Specialties
- Stress, Anxiety
- Relationships
- Grief
- Parenting issues
LGBT , Family conflicts , Trauma and abuse , Intimacy-related issues , Eating disorders , Sleeping disorders , Anger management , Self esteem , Career difficulties , Bipolar disorder , Depression
Years of Experience: 14
Services offered
Messaging
Live Chat
Phone
Video
Licensing
MD LCSW-C 14010
Reviews
These quotes represent just a few of the many positive reviews that we have received for Sharon Szalejko. We don't pay anyone to provide their review and they are all made voluntarily. Some people's experience receiving therapy with Teen Counseling might be different.
Sharon has been a wonderful sounding board, excellent strategist, and an all around good force in my life over the past 8 months. She has helped me to compartmentalize and move beyond myself (ie, the biggest road block I have!) and laid things out in such a common sense way that it has helped me to take these techniques into my daily life. Her knowledge of the unique stressors associated with the military has also been tremendously helpful.
Sharon, not to sound too dramatic, has changed the trajectory of my life by helping me face a lot of things I have been avoiding and helping me gain perspective. I have never done any type of therapy before, and I feel so lucky to have matched with Sharon. She is the easiest person to talk to and open up to, genuinely cares, and always takes time to give thoughtful and insightful responses.
Sharon is an amazing therapist and I could not recommend her more highly.
Sharon is very approachable, kind and understanding. She is very empathetic, encouraging and offers very reassuring advice. I believe she is very professional, whilst also showing her humanity. Talking to Sharon is like talking to a friend. Thank you for your help, support and friendship, Sharon.
Sharon Szalejko has been a tremendous help to my daughter. My daughter enjoys her interactions both via text and by phone and seems to feel heard and supported. Ms. Szalejko has given helpful exercises which my daughter finds helpful. We would recommend her counseling.
Sharon is so kind and thoughtful and really takes the time go get to know you.
sharon is a very helpful counselor and i can see her effort in trying to help me
Sharon Szalejko is the best therapist I have ever had. She made me believe in therapy again. Sharon is professional, timely, helpful and empowering. She is an amazing professional that I recommend to all of the people in my life.
i was a little skeptical at first because Sharon’s just never worked well for me. boy was i wrong!! even when i go missing for weeks at a time, she is always so understanding and i feel like i have a friend too. i’ve made so much progress in a short period of time just by staying consistent with communication with her. 10 stars, she’s my favorite
I've only just started with Sharon but she seems very experienced and easy to chat to. I would highly recommend her for anyone dealing with anxiety. Looking forward more session with her!
Sharon has been absolutely amazing and I felt actually seen by her. She’s fantastic.
Sharon has been wonderful. Responsive, respectful, insightful, and results-oriented. She has been a great match!
Sharon is funny, and insightful
Sharon is so kind and understanding. She is quick to tackle the concerns at hand and is very easy to relate to.
She is so friendly and nice. She is really understanding and finds away to communicate and give advice about your burdens and problems better.
Sharon has compassion and we connect. Her excellent understanding of what I am relaying skills leave me feeling valued. Sharon has a wonderful ability to communicate with me and her advice helps me articulate my feelings. Sharon is a "You will feel better" kind of person.
Wonderful counselor and so patient and consistent!!
I was skeptical starting this. But Sharon immediately made me feel at ease, she's so easy to connect with. I felt I could tell her anything and there'd be no judgement. Only caring empathy, a different perspective and a nudge in the right (if not, challenging) direction. I could not have asked for a better counselor.
Thanks Sharon for ALL you do!
Sharon has been very nice and completely understands the feelings that I have. She makes it known that I'm not alone in what I'm feeling. Little steps are better than big huge steps than can cause more anxiety. One thing at a time!
She listens and not only asks about my life but talks about hers too so it helps me be comfortable with her. Some of her exercises are hit or miss though.
I was always skeptical of therapy due to television and movies perception of therapy. But when i was matched with Sharon, it was literally life changing. She shows you a different perspective of a problem and I feel in the half a year we known one another, I have emotionally and mentally matured immensely and see things in a new light. She has an amazing soul and wouldn’t want to be paired with any one else!
Sharon is amazing. I was matched with her from the start and could not be happier. She has been so helpful in guiding me through my life's ups and downs.
Sharon shows compassion in every way. Her approach makes me feel able to be honest and open, and I've had so many moments where the penny has finally dropped. I'm so grateful to her.
Sharon has been very helpful in offering a different perspective on my issues which is bringing me closer to understanding what I need to do to heal and recover and become happy and healthy again. Thank you, Sharon.
Sharon is great. She is very supportive and hits you with the hard questions that really make you think, and help you learn more about yourself. I’ve never spoken with a counsellor before and Sharon has made this a great experience.
Sharon has been a great source of comfort and support. She is approachable and down to earth but also very good at picking up on the nuances of issues and offering great pieces of advice. Despite miles of distance and a text-based format, she is able to make you feel like you have her full focus and support.
Sharon has been so great in responding promptly and giving me great insight so far. I look forward to continuing to work with her!
She really listens and supports me to be my best self. I was embarrassed in the beginning to be myself but she has never made me feel judged and really made me feel comfortable and not to be embarrassed.
Sharon has been amazing, always there and willing to listen. Gives me ways to get through it and is personal so I don’t feel like I’m just talking to a stranger. I’m very happy that I got paired with her.
Sharon is honestly a life-saver. She’s very empathetic, kind, and gives really helpful advice. I’ve been turned away before from therapists because of my diagnosis’s but so far Sharon has stood by me and has helped me even more in just the few weeks we’ve been working together. I’m glad I signed up and was paired with her.
Sharon always responds in a timely fashion, and she listens to my problems without judging. She’s the best counselor I have spoken with.
She listens and responds appropriately! She’s a great counselor!
I really adore Mrs. Sharon. She has such a kind spirit about her and is so understanding. I don’t feel so scattered and all of the place. I feel like I have myself together and that I can be okay. She really is a gem.
Sharon has helped me with so many things and I greatly appreciate her expertise, warmth, and insight.
Sharon has been wonderful. I have really enjoyed her feedback and her encouragement. She does all that she can to see my perspective and works from there. I have found healing in her ability to put words to emotions I haven't been able to. It has been a good experience and I would highly recommend her.
It is certainly a pleasure to work with Sharon Szalejko she is very professional and great at being on the same page as I am. She has very good communication skills and is very knowledgeable and through. We hit it off immediately.
I feel Sharon listens ( most Important ) and has experience and knowledge to present ideas that are helpful and applicable to my problem. She works at being available and responds very timely. It is nice to know that you do not have to fight the fight alone.
Sharon is really great she’s helped me so much and I really appreciate her.
She provides professional and reliable services and I would recommend this ap to anyone and everyone who needs help.
Sharon is extremely knowledgeable and compassionate. She offers great insight and real-life strategies. Sharon has been instrumental in helping me navigate through some tough spots in my life.
I got on great with Sharon!! She is so positive ....I really enjoy getting a reply from her as it just lifts my spirits and puts everything into perspective for me! I started working with Sharon in November, in such a short time my life has completely turned around for the better! I'd highly recommend Sharon! She really helps you achieve your goals in life!! And she gives you such a positive attitude towards your life.
Sharon is an excellent therapist. She has really helped me make sense of all of my feelings and emotions as I go through a hard time in my life. Her professionalism and smart choice of words have all helped me get out of the lows and feeling good about myself again despite what I am going through. I am really happy with her services and am thankful to have her to talk to. Thank you Sharon and thank you teencounseling.com.