Meet Sheila Keenan licsw

Quiet the inner critic and live the life you were meant to live.

Woman smiling outdoors near a body of water under a blue sky.

Ready to feel at peace with yourself?

You’re in the right place.


You don’t have to live in constant worry and self-doubt.

I specialize in working with individuals who are experiencing anxiety. Anxiety can arise during life transitions, manifest as low self-esteem, or persist due to unresolved trauma from the past. My clients are often individuals with high expectations for themselves who are creative, curious, and open to meaningful change, even if it feels daunting.

A number of my clients are also neurodivergent, often diagnosed in adulthood, and struggling with internalized messages like “I’m not good enough” or “I don’t belong.” These thoughts can feel paralyzing and contribute to deep self-doubt.

I view therapy as a collaborative process—together, we’ll explore how your thoughts, feelings, behavior patterns, and past experiences may be contributing to current challenges. My approach is integrative, rooted in somatic practices like EMDR, IFS/parts work, and Polyvagal Theory.

In our work together, you’ll develop a deeper understanding of your nervous system responses and you will learn how to regulate them with skill and self-compassion. This isn’t about “fixing” who you are—it’s about gently working with the internalized beliefs/parts and body-based responses that no longer serve you. From this place, you can reconnect with a more authentic, empowered version of yourself—one that feels aligned, grounded, and at peace.

My style

I believe that you can heal and live a more authentic life.

I bring a calm, curious presence to my work, grounded in the belief that healing happens in safe, compassionate relationships. I’m optimistic about your ability to change because I trust in your inner wisdom—even if right now it feels buried under anxiety, imposter syndrome, or “should” statements.

Together, we’ll work to uncover and free you from the limiting beliefs and behaviors that are holding you back, so you can feel more confident, empowered, and connected to yourself and others.

I use EMDR, IFS/parts work, and Polyvagal Theory to get to the root of the issues. Using these modalities will enable us to work with nervous system reactions, shift deeply held patterns, and access parts of you that might be stuck in survival mode.

You can reconnect to yourself and the experiences/people that help you feel joyful and alive. A few things that do that for me are: cooking a new recipe when I have the time, the Telepathy Tapes podcast, walking and noticing the details in nature, being with my people, and the Jersey shore in September (yes, really!)

My guiding principles

Growth

I believe we can all grow and I honor the courage that it takes to change and embrace new possibilities.

Personalized

Your story and nervous system are unique, so therapy will be tailored to meet your specific needs, goals and pace.

Compassion

I will strive to meet every part of you with curiosity and openness, creating a safe space for healing.

Depth

We will address the deeper roots of your anxiety and trauma so that you experience lasting change and relief from symptoms.

Anxiety

Trauma

EMDR Therapy intensives

Training & Education


  • Master’s of Social Work, Smith College School for Social Work

  • Licensed Clinical Social Worker, WA State, 2001

  • Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing Therapy (EMDR) trained

  • EMDRIA certified therapist

  • Advanced EMDR Trainings: EMDR and Parts Work for Treating Complex Trauma, EMDR and C-PTSD, EMDR and Intensives

Schedule free consultation