Masha Shapiro

Licensed Mental Health Counselor, Founder, Clinical Director, and scholar-practitioner specializing in trauma, EMDR, maternal mental health, and intergenerational trauma. Integrates clinical leadership, qualitative research, supervision, higher education, and public scholarship in service of evidence-based, culturally responsive mental health care. Founder of a multidisciplinary behavioral health organization serving New York, with a sustained record of translating research into practice through teaching, publications, and media engagement.

Founder & Clinical Director - We Rise Mental Health Counseling Services PLLC - New York, NY

(2022-01)

Founded and scaled a multi-clinician behavioral health organization providing evidence-based psychotherapy throughout New York via telehealth.

• Oversee care delivered to hundreds of clients annually through a team of 14+ licensed psychotherapists and limited-permit clinicians across trauma, perinatal mental health, anxiety, and relational presenting concerns.
• Provide weekly individual and group clinical supervision ensuring fidelity to evidence-based practices and professional development benchmarks.
• Oversee billing operations, marketing, referral coordination, credentialing, and telehealth infrastructure.
• Drive organizational hiring, performance management, and staff development across all clinical and administrative roles.

Founder & Psychotherapist - Doors to Freedom Mental Health Counseling Services PLLC - New York, NY

(2016-01)

Delivered more than 8,000 psychotherapy sessions over a decade of clinical practice specializing in trauma, anxiety, emotional regulation, and life transitions.

• Provide evidence-based individual and couples therapy utilizing EMDR, trauma-focused CBT, and somatic approaches.
• Specialize in complex PTSD, perinatal and postpartum mental health, intergenerational trauma, and relational difficulties.

Group Therapist - Lutheran Medical Center - New York, NY

(2011-09 - 2012-06)

• Facilitated trauma-informed group counseling sessions for individuals experiencing emotional, behavioral, and mental health challenges within an inpatient clinical setting.
• Provided individual therapy and psychosocial assessments in coordination with a multidisciplinary treatment team.

Mental Health Counselor - Brooklyn Women's Counseling Services - Brooklyn, NY

(2015-01 - 2016-12)

• Provided specialized psychotherapy to women navigating anxiety, depression, trauma, and relational stress; conducted comprehensive psychosocial assessments and individualized treatment planning.

Mental Health Counselor - Jewish Community Center (JCC) - New York, NY

(2013-01 - 2015-12)

• Delivered trauma-informed interventions and crisis support to survivors impacted by Hurricane Sandy, supporting community recovery through evidence-based individual counseling.

Mental Health Counselor (Clinical Extern) - Sunset Terrace Family Health Center at NYU Langone - New York, NY

(2012-01 - 2013-12)

• Provided individual counseling within an integrated healthcare setting, collaborating with multidisciplinary providers to deliver coordinated, whole-person care.

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) - Marriage & Family Therapy - Amridge University (2026-07)

Master of Science in Education (MSEd) - Mental Health Counseling - Fordham University (2013-01)