Masha Shapiro
Licensed Mental Health Counselor & CEO of We Rise Mental Health Counseling Services, PLLC
Licensed Mental Health Counselor | EMDR-Certified Trauma Therapist | CTPS-I & CTPS-II Certified
Expert Contributor | She Owns Success
Meet The Expert
Masha Shapiro
Masha Shapiro, LMHC, is the Founder and Clinical Director of We Rise Mental Health Counseling Services, PLLC. She holds a Master of Science in Mental Health Counseling from Fordham University and is currently pursuing a PhD in Marriage and Family Therapy at Amridge University.
Masha specializes in the treatment of PTSD and complex trauma and is a triple-certified trauma therapist (EMDR, CTPS-I, CTPS-II). She also has advanced experience treating postpartum mood disorders, anxiety disorders, phobias, OCD, and relationship issues. Her work is grounded in evidence-based, trauma-informed care, helping clients achieve lasting emotional healing and resilience.
Professional Background & Training
My clinical experience spans both outpatient and clinic-based settings, where I have worked with diverse populations, including providing specialized support to survivors of Hurricane Sandy. I specialize in the treatment of PTSD and complex trauma and am a triple-certified trauma therapist, with advanced certifications in EMDR, CTPS-I, and CTPS-II.
In addition to my clinical work, I have been featured as a speaker on podcasts and have contributed to magazines, sharing insights on trauma, mental health, and emotional well-being. My work is grounded in evidence-based, integrative approaches that facilitate deep, sustained psychological healing.
What I'm Known For
Philosophy
My approach to psychotherapy is grounded in the belief that symptoms are not the problem, but rather meaningful adaptations to unresolved experiences. I view anxiety, trauma responses, and relational patterns as intelligent responses shaped by a person’s history, not as pathologies to be eliminated. From this perspective, treatment is not about “fixing” the individual, but about helping them understand, process, and integrate what has not yet been fully resolved.
I practice through a trauma-informed, evidence-based lens, integrating modalities such as EMDR to access and reprocess underlying experiences at their root. I prioritize depth over surface-level coping, working collaboratively with clients to identify patterns, build insight, and create lasting change rather than temporary symptom relief.
At the core of my work is a respect for each client’s internal system and pace. I aim to create a space that is both structured and attuned—where clients feel safe enough to explore, yet supported enough to move forward. My goal is not only symptom reduction, but transformation: helping clients shift long-standing emotional patterns, strengthen their sense of self, and develop the capacity to engage in relationships and life from a place of stability, clarity, and resilience.