About Me
Dr. Sharon Mitchell is the owner of Empowered Action Counseling and Consulting. She holds a doctorate in Counseling Psychology from the Ohio State University. Throughout her career, Dr. Mitchell has worked in a variety of mental health settings, including health psychology, community mental health, private practice, and inpatient alcohol and drug treatment. Her primary passion, however, lies in working with adults and emerging adults as they adjust to life changes and challenges.
Dr. Mitchell specializes in assisting clients with transitions such as changes in family dynamics, romantic relationships, career, educational pursuits, grief and loss, and shifts in personal or loved ones’ health. Her extensive background in college student mental health has enhanced her ability to collaborate compassionately and respectfully with individuals from all walks of life, helping them gain a deeper understanding of their feelings, thoughts, and behaviors.
She recognizes the importance of cultural and other relevant identities in shaping lived experiences. Dr. Mitchell is committed to helping clients explore these aspects as they cope with life's challenges. She continues to be inspired by the resilience and capacity for growth that people demonstrate when provided with the right conditions to learn and thrive.
Areas of Expertise
Emotion Management
Cultural Identity and Diversity
College Student Mental Health
There are no good or bad emotions. They are natural, automatic reactions that provide information, and it is the actions or judgments that follow them that can be constructive or destructive. At Empowered Action Counseling and Consulting, we help individuals more accurately identify their emotions and expand their coping strategies when emotions result in overwhelming anxiety or depression. Our goal is to empower clients to learn to manage the behavior that results from an emotion, rather than trying to eliminate the feeling itself. Understanding the underlying message of the emotion allows for a more constructive response.
The social and cultural context that you are in very much influences your mental health. If you live in an environment that is racist, sexist, ableist, classist, or homophobic that places additional stress your health and spirit. Our counseling approach helps raise awareness of how systems around you are impacting your mental health. You will be offered practical tools to help you navigate daily and past experiences of discrimination, oppression, rejection, and invalidation, challenge internalized negative messages and privileges and better manage feelings of stress and shame tied to what society believes about you and your various identities.
Regardless of the student's age, college is a time of transition, growth, and self-discovery. Students present with a variety of concerns that Dr. Mitchell is uniquely qualified to help with. As a former president of the Association of College and University Counseling Center Directors, she is a national expert on trends in college student mental health and effective treatment approaches for this truly diverse population. In addition to working with traditional and non-traditional age students, Dr. Mitchell has experience helping parents of college students adjust as their students move into emerging adulthood.
Relationships
Body Image & Eating Concerns
Strong relationships with friends, romantic partners, family, and members of one's community are essential to emotional wellness. On the other hand, when relationships are strained or unhealthy, people are more likely to feel lonely, disconnected, unappreciated, misunderstood, and stressed. Regardless of the type of relationship counseling focuses on enhancing communication skills and addressing behaviors that hinder the development of healthy connections. Counseling may concentrate on specific areas such as improving communication, resolving conflicts, addressing sex and intimacy, broadening understanding or perspectives, clarifying relationship values, and identifying and disrupting negative patterns.
In a culture obsessed with physical perfection and outward appearance, it is not surprising that people are dissatisfied with their bodies. While the concept of the ideal body varies depending on the identities that a person holds, the pressure to conform to these ideals is widespread. The internalization of body ideals can drive individuals to engage in various harmful behaviors and self-critical thinking to achieve the perceived ideal. Body satisfaction exists on a continuum, and the level of care required varies depending on the severity of symptoms. Empowered Action Counseling and Consulting offer support to clients who are medically stable enough to engage in outpatient therapy.
Helping the Helpers
The saying "you cannot pour from an empty cup" reminds us that, to effectively help others, it is essential to care for your own physical, mental, and emotional needs. Mental health and medical professionals are people with their own struggles that, unfortunately, are often set aside to serve others.
Dr. Mitchell has extensive experience supervising and mentoring mental health professionals at various stages of their careers, both clinically and administratively. She is able to help professionals find balance in their work and personal lives, allowing them to function effectively in both areas.