Shira Etzion LMFT

Counseling for Couples, Families & Individuals

About Me

Shira Etzion believes that relationships are one of the most powerful arenas for both personal and relational actualization. Rather than focusing solely on the end question—“Do I stay or do I go?”—her work centers on creating space to explore what our relationships are here to teach us. This same intention guides her work with individuals, including ketamine-assisted psychotherapy, where the focus remains on deepening self-understanding and cultivating clarity in how we relate to ourselves and others. Her intention is to support individuals in arriving at a place of love, clarity, and self-awareness, where they can ask from a grounded and sincere place: What is truly best for me, for others, and for the life I want to create? From that place of love and clarity, thoughtful and aligned choices can emerge.

Shira holds an MA in Marriage and Family Therapy from Hofstra University and a BFA from Syracuse University. Her training includes certification through the Institute for Professional Excellence in Coaching (iPEC) and the Institute for Integrative Nutrition (IIN), as well as certification as a Redirecting Children’s Behavior Facilitator. She has completed a 200-hour Yoga Teacher Training and is a Reiki Level II practitioner. Shira has also trained in mindfulness with John Newton, completed Level 1 training in both the Gottman Method and Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), and earned a Certificate in Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy and Research from the California Institute of Integral Studies. She has also completed Level 1 training in Relational Life Therapy.

Couples

Shira Etzion believes that relationships are one of the most powerful arenas for both personal and relational actualization. Rather than focusing solely on the end question—“Do I stay or do I go?”—her work centers on creating space to explore what our relationships are here to teach us. Her intention is to support individuals in arriving at a place of love, clarity, and self-awareness, where they can ask from a grounded and sincere place: What is truly best for me and for this other person? From that place of both love and clarity, thoughtful and aligned choices can emerge.

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Individuals

Shira Etzion’s work on an individual level focuses on what the situational moments of conflict, tension, or uncertainty are asking of you. Often these moments are a part of what we cannot yet see alone for our own evolution. Her work centers on change at the identity level, not just the level of life circumstances. Each issue holds the seed for an identity shift, and as that shift occurs, choices and circumstances begin to change from a new sense of self. Rather than working issue by issue, this allows movement across multiple areas of a person’s life at once.

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Testimonials

Ketamine

Shira Etzion offers ketamine-assisted psychotherapy as a powerful modality for creating clarity and opening new pathways for change. These sessions are designed to gently but powerfully interrupt existing patterns, allowing clients to access a broader perspective on their thoughts, emotions, and life experiences. Through both preparation and integration, the work supports individuals in making sense of what arises and translating those insights into meaningful, aligned action. The intention is not just insight, but the ability to move forward with greater ease, clarity, and self-trust.

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“I live my life in the universe of transformational leadership and my colleagues are some of the top personal growth facilitators in the world. Yet my go-to practitioner is and has been for almost a decade, Shira Etzion. Shira's profound wisdom and unique insights have shifted my mindset. As a result I have been able to move ahead with more confidence which resulted in some pretty phenomenal success.”
Debra Poneman
Founder of Yes to Success and Ageless Seminars
“My work with Shira has been nothing short of transformative. Thirty-five years of depression, trauma and hopelessness were gently undone, processed and assimilated with her meaningful guidance and unwavering support in the most productive and profound of ways. She has this innate ability to cut through to the core of an issue and help you move through it from a very honest place. I no longer live my life passively but with purpose and meaning. She has literally given me a new lease on life. Working with Shira is the best decision I have ever made for myself and my life.”
Client Testimonial
Individual Therapy Client
“I highly recommend Shira Etzion as a therapist. I have known Shira for over a decade and I am grateful to have had her guidance, intuitive insights and loving support throughout the years. She is skilled at working with people to get to the root of issues and to see things in a different way which creates space for deep personal growth.”
Client Testimonial
Therapy Client
“Going to couples therapy for the first time, we didn't know what to expect or if we would feel comfortable, we went to see Shira and she was fantastic! We were very comfortable speaking to her, especially my boyfriend who is sort of awkward lol. We saw her for about 6 months or so, she has helped my boyfriend and I grow stronger. A huge issue for us was lack of communication, coming here really helped. Shira would give us some activities to do outside of therapy so that we're not waiting for therapy every week to tell each other how we're feeling. Seems so silly that communication was an issue but, my boyfriend and I just really lacked that. Shira helped so much. She provided her insights and looking at ways she did was great. Made me realize I was looking at some situations maybe one sided. If I ever feel the need to see a therapist again, I would go back to Shira. It was very difficult to say goodbye to our weekly sessions!”
Couples Client
Relationship Counseling
“I've done several sessions with Shira and she is extremely talented. Her passion to serve really shows up and I cannot say enough amazing things about her. I love that she is no-nonsense and real talks, and is fully present to the extent she can really tap into my inner voice and hear things in different ways than I hear myself. I am always extremely excited before every session with her because working with her is so transformational.”
Client Testimonial
Personal Development Client
“I first sought couples counseling when I was engaged to my now husband. While planning our wedding, it became clear that my husband and I had different perspectives on some very important issues and we had difficulty finding a common ground. Our stress levels had reached their peak and as this was new, uncharted territory for us, we were both unsure about how to move forward. That's when we decided to see Shira and we are both so glad we did. Shira helped us understand ourselves and each other in a whole new way. She helped us focus on the real issues, helped us both communicate more clearly and made sure we both felt heard. Shira has an innate and rare ability to hone in on what's important. She is so insightful and her guidance helped us navigate a difficult time, a journey which ultimately strengthened our relationship. We have been married for about a year now and we still use the skills that Shira taught us to work through the infrequent conflicts that arise. I would, without reservation, recommend Shira to any couple seeking counseling.”
Couples Client
Marriage Preparation Counseling
“I highly recommend Shira Etzion as a therapist. I have known Shira for over a decade and I am grateful to have had her guidance, intuitive insights and loving support throughout the years. She is skilled at working with people to get to the root of issues and to see things in a different way which creates space for deep personal growth.”
Client Testimonial
Emotional Growth Client
“I had the pleasure of working with Shira over a year ago, and the work we did together still impacts my life today. I grew up in the Midwest where we did NOT talk about our issues, we politely swept them under the rug and pretended they weren't there. Shira helped me get real about areas of my life that I'd been too afraid too look at and the uncomfortable conversations I'd been avoiding. She gave me the encouragement I needed to have those conversations which, at the time, felt impossible for me. These experiences showed me the power of lovingly speaking my truth no matter what the results. As a result, I've slowly become more and more confident in having open and honest conversations, no matter how uncomfortable. My relationships are better and I feel happier and more free. If you have the chance to work with Shira, I highly recommend it!”
Client Testimonial
Emotional Growth Client
“Shira is the best!! My then boyfriend and I came to Shira for couples therapy. We were not in a good place in our relationship - issues with communication, jealousy, and accountability. Things were getting worse and therapy was really our last resort to try and fix our relationship. We visited Shira for a couple months and at first, it took a while for both of us to open up but as we spent more time with her, we discovered what our real issues were both as a couple and as individuals. Shira would listen to us, provide insights, and really push us to examine ourselves. She gave us activities to do outside of therapy and as time went on, my boyfriend and I got closer and our communication improved 100%. Now about 2 years later, I can say with full confidence that Shira saved our relationship!! We've taken what Shira taught us and continue to work on our relationship. My boyfriend proposed shortly after we finished our therapy sessions and we are now happily married. Thank you so much again! If your looking for help in your relationship, look no further than Shira!”
Married Couple
Couples Therapy Success Story

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