Shinjini Bakshi, CSWA

They/them pronouns

 

Philosophy and Approach:

 

Over the past 10+ years, I have professionally specialized in providing compassionate, anti-oppressive, anti-racist, culturally-responsive, identity-affirming mental health care to trans/non-binary/gender-expansive children, adolescents, young adults, and parents. I walk alongside folks as they move through life transitions, intersectional identity exploration, and trauma recovery/healing. I use a warm, trust-based, relational approach to therapy which integrates expressive/narrative techniques, body-based/somatic approaches, decolonized understandings of trauma, and harm reduction principles to help folks root into self-compassion, reconnect with inner wisdom, and feel at home in their bodies. I provide individual, group, and family therapy in both English and Bengali.

 

My clinical work sits at the intersections of grief/loss, complex trauma, pleasure/joy, and collective liberation. I am deeply anchored in healing justice— “an ongoing process of mending as well as building power, resilience, and resistance to transform systems of oppression” (Healing Justice Toolkit). My work has centered Queer, Trans, Black, Indigenous, Multiracial, People of Color (QTBIMPOC) young folks and I am deeply invested in intergenerational healing work within the QTBIMPOC community. I identify as a queer, non-binary, South Asian-American person in mental health/substance use recovery and, thus, am both a provider and consumer of mental health care, who has lived experience navigating oppressive systems of care.

 

 

Formal Education and Training:  

 

I received a Master’s in Social Work from Columbia University and double Bachelor’s in Psychology and Criminology from Penn State, Schreyer Honors College. At Penn State, I worked with children with ADHD for a NIMH-funded research study. Most recently, I was working as a therapist with teens struggling with co-occurring mental health and substance use challenges at a community-based, peer-support focused, Partial Hospitalization/Intensive Outpatient Program. Previously, I have worked with trans/non-binary students of color in higher levels of behavioral health care, queer young parents within the foster care system, neurodivergent survivors of interpersonal violence/sex trafficking, and trans young folks navigating family conflict resulting in houselessness. I am trained as a Domestic Violence Advocate to sustainably support survivor agency with cultural humility in the aftermath of a crime. I have advanced training in Motivational Interviewing, Human Sexuality, Mindfulness Based Practice, Domestic Violence/IPV, and Alcohol/Chemical Dependency.

 

As a supervisee of a licensee of the Oregon Board of Licensed Social Workers, I will abide by its Code of Ethics. I am under the ongoing supervision of Ryan Loiselle, LPC, and Diana Latorre, LCSW, CADC-III who reviews my cases with me.  You may contact my supervisor at 503-389-0095.

 

Hours and Session Length:  I typically see clients on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays via teletherapy and clients may call or email to schedule appointments. Individual sessions are 50 minutes in duration, usually once a week. In order for counseling to be effective, it is important to attend all regularly scheduled appointments. If you are unable to attend a scheduled appointment please notify us 24 hours in advance if possible. Missing two consecutive appointments without notification could result in loss of your regular slot or ending services. You are free to terminate services at will; however, it is usually most therapeutic to schedule a closing session.

 

Payment: Most clients seen at Brave Space are using OHP insurance, which pays for most of the session fees.  You may have a $3 copay.  Clients are fully responsible for the payment of all copays for services at the time of service, and if insurance ends, must discuss client payment for ongoing service. Checks, credit cards, and cash are accepted forms of payment and payable at the beginning of the session. Fees are $186 for a 50 minute session.

 

Client Rights and Confidentiality

As a client of an intern supervised by a licensed professional counselor you have the following rights:

• To expect that a licensee has met the minimal qualifications of training and experience required by law

• To examine records maintained by the Board and to have the Board confirm credentials of a licensee

• To obtain a copy of the Code of Ethics

• To report complaints to the Board

• To be informed of the cost of professional services before receiving the services

• To be assured of privacy and confidentiality while receiving services as defined by rule and law, including the following exceptions: 1) Reporting suspected child abuse; 2) Reporting imminent danger to client or others; 3) Reporting information required in court proceedings or by client’s insurance company, or other relevant agencies; 4) Providing information concerning licensee case consultation or supervision; and 5) Defending claims brought by client against licensee

• To be free from discrimination because of age, color, culture, disability, ethnicity, national origin, gender, race, religion, sexual orientation, marital status, or socioeconomic status.

 

You may contact the Board of Licensed Social Workers (BLSW) at 3218 Pringle Rd SE #240, Salem, OR, 97302. Telephone: 503-378-5735. Email: oregon.blsw@oregon.gov Website: www.oregon.gov/blsw

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