When you love someone, you want your relationship to feel good. But many couples reach a point where they still care deeply for each other and no longer know how to talk without getting defensive, shutting down, or feeling unheard. Most of us were never taught how to resolve conflict, really listen, or understand what our partner is feeling. The good news is that these things can be learned.
I have a special heart for two kinds of couples. The first is married couples working to rebuild after infidelity. Rebuilding does not mean ignoring what happened. It means making room to understand the hurt, work through hard emotions, and slowly rebuild safety and trust so you can decide together what moving forward looks like. The second is couples who avoid conflict. When you keep the peace by not talking about what bothers you, distance can quietly grow. I help couples learn to bring up hard things calmly and safely. One of my favorite parts of this work is watching couples go from overwhelmed and hopeless to having real tools and real hope again.
In our sessions, I’ll help you slow down the moments that keep turning into the same argument and understand the emotions and needs underneath them. Couples tell me I’m direct and practical. I’ll give you skills you can use at home, while making sure each of you feels safe and heard. I draw from Emotionally Focused Therapy, the Gottman Method, and CBT. In our first session, I’ll walk you through exactly what to expect, so you’re never left wondering how this works.
I believe God created us for relationships. For clients who want it, I welcome faith as part of counseling. I also work with individuals, and as a certified SYMBIS facilitator, I love helping engaged couples build a strong foundation before marriage through premarital counseling. I see clients in person in Evans and through telehealth for clients located in Georgia.
I’m originally from South Carolina and I’m very family oriented. My favorite place is at home with my husband and our four children. You might also find me at a comedy show, watching an action movie, or at the beach.
I earned my Master of Arts in Mental Health Counseling from Liberty University and have completed Gottman Method Level 1 Training. I am currently applying for licensure as an Associate Professional Counselor (APC) in Georgia.
You don’t have to wait until your relationship is falling apart. If you’re ready for things to feel different, I’d love to meet you. Call 706-916-6740 or schedule online today.
Shenikka is also a Certified SYMBIS Facilitator. This designation indicates that she has completed the requisite training to administer the SYMBIS Assessment and guide couples through personalized SYMBIS reports. She provides premarital counseling through workshops and couples sessions. The SYMBIS report can also be administered and reviewed in couples counseling. Please let us know if you are interested in taking the SYMBIS assessment and using it to enhance your couples counseling session.
