IRA SHAI

Relationally Focused, Somatic & Trauma-Informed Psychotherapy

Therapy is a compassionate, collaborative space where you don’t have to carry your burdens alone. Real, lasting change unfolds within a genuine therapeutic relationship where your active, unique presence is deeply honored. True healing is a courageous act of showing up for yourself, reclaiming your voice, and discovering your own innate capacity to grow. While I am here to offer a grounded, safe container and thoughtful tools, the heart of transformation is your own gentle determination, agency, and desire to heal.

As a parent raising a family, I know firsthand the joy, friction, and constant growth that comes with deep relational commitment. Outside the office, I stay grounded through music, immersion in books, and walks. Having played tackle football, I carry a deep appreciation for physical grit, teamwork, and what it takes to pick yourself up and press forward when things get tough. Above all, I am driven by a lifelong passion for learning while constantly studying human nature, mind-body research, and new clinical approaches to better serve my clients.

Having lived overseas and built a home in a culture different from the one where I was raised, I also know the grit it takes to adapt, rebuild, and navigate cross-cultural complexity. I am where I am today because of wise people who offered support, and also because I actively chose to engage in my own growth. That reality shapes my clinical work. I bring practical wisdom, common sense, and gentle humor to the room, combined with a direct, respectful style. I offer an authentic partnership for individuals and couples who are ready to do deep, meaningful work.

In my practice, I work with clients navigating complex trauma, relational ruptures, and sexual intimacy challenges, taking into account culture, religion, and personal history. A central pillar of my work with partners is Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy (EFT). Using EFT, I help couples identify and step out of painful, repetitive negative cycles and the familiar arguments and emotional distance that leave both partners feeling defensive, misunderstood, or alone. Together, we work beneath the surface of conflict to access the underlying emotions and attachment needs, creating a secure environment where partners can express vulnerability, rebuild trust, and restore genuine emotional and physical intimacy. I also walk alongside couples across every phase of their relationship lifecycle, whether proactive premarital preparation (Prepare/Enrich), navigating a high-stakes crossroads when a marriage is on the brink (Discernment Counseling), or actively choosing a respectful, clear path forward when a partnership ends (Conscious Uncoupling). Because our minds and bodies are profoundly interconnected, feeling stuck or disconnected is often a signal from the nervous system that something needs attention.

To support your process, I integrate advanced body-oriented and relational modalities, including Somatic Therapy, NeuroAffective Touch, the NeuroAffective Relational Model (NARM), Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT for couples & EFIT for individuals), and Compassionate Inquiry. My clinical foundation spans private practice, correctional facilities, and community health. Across every environment, one truth remains constant: regardless of where you come from or what you have survived, real growth requires personal commitment. When you bring your desire to heal, we will work together to expand your emotional capacity, establish clear boundaries, resolve past trauma, and cultivate deep, enduring connections.