Shalin J. Bhatt, LPC, LMHC, LCADC, SEP

he / him

My approach and my values

My work is guided by the principles of justice and liberation. It is also from this lens that I engage within the world itself. Healing cannot happen in isolation and instead requires community, time, space, support, and being witnessed from a place of compassion. In our sessions, I will use a relational approach that integrates somatic practices, parts work, traditional talk therapy, culture, identity, and the sociopolitical realities of life. Think of this as an immersive and experiential kind of process that goes beyond insight and coping skills.

My educational background

MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, New Jersey City University
BS in Management & Psychology, Rutgers University-Newark

My clinical licenses

NJ: Licensed Professional Counselor #37PC00661000
NJ: Licensed Clinical Alcohol & Drug Counselor #37LC00301400
NY: Licensed Mental Health Counselor #017178
PA: Licensed Professional Counselor #PC018517

My professional journey

Since entering the mental health field in 2010, I have gained valuable experience in many settings, to include community mental health centers, substance use treatment programs, group psychotherapy practices, and higher education at a university counseling center. In private practice, my work focuses upon stress, adversity, and trauma in Black and Brown adults, emerging adults, and older teens.

To best support the folks I serve, I’ve completed the rigorous three-year-plus professional training program with Somatic Experiencing International to become a Somatic Experiencing Practitioner (SEP), completed the Level 1 professional training in Internal Family Systems (IFS) from the Internal Family Systems Institute, trained in EMDR with The Institute for Creative Mindfulness, and received advanced EMDR training in anti-oppressive practices from The Touchstone Institute. I also integrate Liberation Psychology, which is a philosophy that focuses upon the systemic and structural contributors to mental health, particularly for dehumanized, silenced, and marginalized individuals and communities.

Outside of being a therapist...

I enjoy hiking, travel, music, movies, history, spending time with loved ones, and food, especially pizza. I am also a person who cares deeply about this world and its inhabitants, seeing myself more as a global citizen.