We want to give you insight into our dedicated Academy of Therapy Wisdom team working committedly behind the scenes to bring you therapy courses and content of high value, trainings that make a real difference in your psychotherapy practice, as a therapist as well as for your clients.
We asked Nikki Shaheed, our inspiring COO to share a bit about herself, her role, and what inspires her about our Therapy Wisdom mission and work. Here´s what she had to say:
Hi! I’m Nikki Shaheed, part of the team at Academy of Therapy Wisdom. I live in San Antonio, TX with my husband, three children, and two cats. We are a biracial, Muslim family, and this makes the topics we cover in our ATW Liberation Psychology very near and dear to my heart.
Supporting online therapy training that makes a difference.
Amplifying the voices of people who are bringing awareness to issues that impact our family on a daily basis helps me feel like I’m contributing to making the world a better place for my children.
The last few years has brought an awakening to the public consciousness about the disparities that exist in our society, and the impact those disparities have on historically marginalized and oppressed communities.
The importance of equity and social justice in psychotherapy.
As therapy is a field that is dominated by white practitioners, I think this is a crucial time to raise the bar of awareness and action-taking within the field. I am so happy that Academy of Therapy Wisdom, our presenters, and the fantastic people who attend our courses are doing the work to create more equity and inclusivity in the realm of psychotherapy.
Akilah Riley-Richardson’s Liberation Psychology Training has been incredibly inspiring to me. I have seen many courses that focus on helping people of privilege understand racism and bias, but few courses address helping minoritized people move through the harm and trauma of oppression. The joy and possibility offered in Akilah’s course was so rich and inspiring! I want every therapist to take this course.
JOIN a FREE Webinar Training with Akilah Riley-Richardson
Liberation Psychology Training with Akilah Riley-Richardson
In this free webinar, you will:
Learn how systemic trauma shows up in relationships.
Gain a deeper understanding of Relational Privilege and the difference it makes in couples work.
Discover the A.R.T. of building a Liberatory Connection in couples therapy.
Consider how your own Relational privilege affects your work so you can help your clients even more.
Please share a bit about your background, your current role, and how did you come to join the Therapy Wisdom team.
Before working at ATW, I spent nine years working as a childbirth educator and doula. I specialized in helping people prepare for the mental and emotional journey through childbirth and becoming a parent, and went on to write a book, train other birth professionals, and serve as co-owner of a professional training organization for three years.
My work in running an international business helped me learn about building websites, creating dynamic in-person and online learning experiences, and what goes into the daily operations of keeping a business humming. My work with growing families helped me develop the soft skills that I bring to nurturing and encouraging our team, supporting our presenters, and looking out for our customers.
I am the team’s COO – Company Operating Officer. I work to create structures that bring more ease and clarity to our team and our online therapist training presenters in the work we do together.
The most enjoyable part of my work as COO is creating systems that make our team’s lives easier. The more we can clear the path for people to do their best work, the more creativity and inspiration they can bring to Therapy Wisdom.
I joined Therapy Wisdom in October 2021. I had just decided to take a break from birth work after a year and a half of struggling to keep my business afloat during Covid, and was trying to figure out who I was after stepping away from a career that felt like part of my identity. A friend reached out and told me about a position here that seemed like a perfect fit for my skillset. I started off as the Membership Director at ATW and later shifted into the COO role. The timing and good match were serendipitous.
I most enjoy the connection that our team shares. We are a small crew, which lends itself to a very intimate and supportive workplace. We care deeply about each other and the topics we’re sharing with the world, and it makes working here feel like a nourishing experience.
What do you like to do to stay balanced in life?
Spending time in nature helps me feel more grounded and connected to something greater than myself. I love trees, water, and mountains. My favorite thing to do is go on snowboarding adventures with my husband.
Is there anything else you wish to share about your work with Therapy Wisdom?
I love working at Academy of Therapy Wisdom. This team, these presenters, the topics we offer, and the therapists who join us – both to learn and un-learn – make me excited to get up and do the work every day.
