Prenatal and postpartum therapists & psychiatrists in Hamilton, OH

Hello! Thank you for being here. Reaching out for therapy is incredibly brave but can also be a bit overwhelming. I’m hoping I can help you see your strength and worth while we navigate all the things life throws our way.

I’m Kathy and I have been a social worker for 23 years now. I have been a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker for the last 16 years of that time. For the majority of my profession, I have been working in the hospital setting, helping patients find solutions to a wide range of needs. I have seen patients struggle in many different ways in life and helping them has also helped me grow as a social worker.

I am passionate about helping people realize they are capable of more than they think. Everyone deserves to see their worth and I would love to work with you to help you see yours.

I am a Board-Certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner with over 26 years of dedicated registered nursing experience in mental health, committed to supporting individuals through life’s toughest mental health challenges.

In our work together, you are the captain of your journey—I am here as your trusted navigator. Whether you are dealing with anxiety, depression, trauma, life transitions, or stress, we will collaborate to map out a clear path forward. My practice integrates medication management, evidence-based psychotherapy, or a combination of both, tailored specifically to your unique goals, values, and lifestyle.

Are you in a place where you would like to increase growth, change or wellness in your life? Do you want to identify and understand patterns that continue to happen and make you feel “stuck”? Are you interested in enhancing communication skills, developing stronger coping mechanisms, or processing a difficult time in your life? I'm a dedicated and compassionate Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor in the state of Ohio with experience working with diverse populations and with various mental health issues. I am passionate about helping people gain insight and a sense of empowerment as they navigate transitions and challenges inherent in life. In therapy, I create a safe and open space for you to deepen your awareness of yourself and others so that we can begin to explore the way the stories we tell ourselves impact our mental and emotional health and wellbeing.

I have experience working with adults(18+) families and couples treating a number of concerns including navigating anxiety and depression, addictions, relationship concerns, phase of life issues and changes, stress management, community violence, domestic violence and healing from trauma and codependency. My experience also includes treating substance use disorders, including relapse prevention, treatment diagnosis/education and working with families on psychoeducation and mending relationships. I will work to help you expertly navigate your challenges such as processing difficult emotions, learning healthy coping skills, developing a deeper understanding and appreciation of yourself, enhancing your self-esteem, and building satisfying relationships.

I believe in a practical, strengths-based method of treatment. My approach is compassionate, honest, and genuine. I use a strengths-based approach with a focus on overall wellness using cognitive behavioral, dialectical behavioral, solution-focused techniques and schema therapy techniques to encourage, empower and collaborate with you to assist you in regaining resiliency, to begin working together towards positive change. I would describe my approach as warm, solution-focused, and client centered. You are the expert on You! My goal is to help you heal through a mindful process for a deeper awareness of self and begin to establish new patterns of behavior to help you achieve a greater well-being. Together, we can identify your negative thought patterns, improve emotional regulation and self-awareness while using the strengths we will identify throughout the counseling process. I look forward to working with you!

My clinical degree is a Master of Science in Social Administration (MSSA, MSW equivalent) from Case Western Reserve in Cleveland, Ohio (2016). I completed my Master of Education in Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA) from University of Cincinnati (2016), and have experience as a provider of ABA services. I have a Doctorate in Behavioral Health from Arizona State University(2020).

I have been licensed as a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor since 2004 and have held a supervision designation since 2015. I have also held a Licensed Independent Chemical Dependency Counselor with a supervision/training designation license since 2018. I have maintained a private counseling practice in Chillicothe since 2000 and I continue to work with individuals and families in that capacity. I have dedicated my career to helping others and to working with the community to ensure the well-being of families and children.

My communication style

My communication tone or approach tends to be direct but laid back. We are in session to work together not have me tell you what to do or where you need to go

I never set out to become a counselor. The "plan" was to finish my History degree, teach then retire....that didn't happen because life. I am married for 20 years with a 16-year-old daughter. My mentors taught me to think outside the box, outside of my comfort zone, to nurture, & look for strengths within people. I do my best to make sessions comfortable, and filled with humor, and acceptance. I am trained in EMDR, and certified in perinatal mental health.

I’m Sheela M. Palma, a board-certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner with a Master of Science in Nursing from The Ohio State University. With 20 years of experience supporting diverse populations, including high-risk postpartum women and individuals navigating substance use disorders, I bring both clinical expertise and a compassionate, individualized approach to psychiatric care. I work with teens and adults experiencing a range of mental health concerns, including anxiety, depression, ADHD, mood disorders, trauma, PTSD, OCD, bipolar disorder, and substance use concerns.