Sharina Branum, LMSW

Background and Experience

Sharina is a skilled and compassionate clinician with 25 years’ experience treating a variety of mental health and substance use disorders.   She has experience providing individual, group and family therapy in a variety of settings across the continuum of care.  Her behavioral health experience includes inpatient, outpatient, residential, partial hospitalization, intensive and supportive outpatient, as well as in home and community based psychosocial rehabilitation.  In addition, Sharina has experience in medical social work, hospice, long-term care, managed care, program development, operations management, and fiscal and administrative oversight.     Sharina has worked with all age groups, every socioeconomic status, and with clients from diverse cultural backgrounds.   Sharina works with people affected by depression, anxiety, personality disorders, unprocessed trauma, relationship difficulties, codependency, substance use disorders as well as other addictions, issues related  to human sexuality including sexual minority groups, sexual expression, gender identity, orientation, and boundaries. Sharina also is experienced in working with persons dealing with religious or spiritual issues including reconciling religious beliefs and spiritual expression, nourishing one’s spiritual self, resolving spiritual conflict and finding spirituality after religious abuse.   Sharina has extensive training and experience working with geriatric patients, and their caregivers including working with those affected by profound and progressive cognitive impairments such as Alzheimer’s and dementia, and caregiver burnout prevention and recovery.  

Personal Statement

I am amazed by the ability of the human mind and body to adapt to and survive catastrophic events.  Humans are so resilient and possess an almost infinite capacity for growth and transformation; however, we often fight change and cling to something we know to be toxic before we will try something new.   We frequently operate from a place of fear until the pain of staying the same is greater than the pain of change.   It is interesting how the very behaviors that emerge during crisis and allow one to survive traumatic events, can, in another season of life, stop one’s ability to grow any further, poison relationships and corrupt one’s internal dialogue.  Though we are each responsible for our own journey, we aren’t designed to be alone.  We are created to connect with others.  I create a safe environment where any topic can be discussed openly, honestly, and without judgement.  In doing so, an alliance emerges, which enables my clients to build on their strengths and takes them from where they are to actualizing their desired goals and discovering who they really are.  It is an honor and a privilege to walk alongside my clients as they discover their identify and realize their invaluable worth!  

Education and Training

Prior to beginning her BSW program, Sharina completed an intensive training program for addiction treatment through the nation’s leading nonprofit drug and alcohol treatment provider, Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation.  This training included practical application of evidence-based counseling theories as well as detailed teachings regarding the chemistry, psychological and physiological effects of  drugs, alcohol and addictive behaviors that create similar chemical reactions in the brain.        

Sharina attended the University of Texas at Arlington where she earned a Bachelor’s degree focused on family and child welfare and a Master’s degree focused on the mental health field.  In addition to the mental health classes required by the program, Sharina completed independent study and specialized training in the areas of human sexuality and spirituality. 

Schedule

Sharina is in the office Thursday evenings and Saturdays

Fees

Session fees range from $65 to $100

License #: 36526

To schedule with Sharina or any of our other therapists, call us today at 469-342-3468!