Shaysa Villa

My name is Shaysa Villa. I usually go by Shay and I use she/they pronouns. I graduated from Hood College with an undergraduate in Social Work and Spanish Literature. I have a Masters in Social Work from Loyola University of Chicago where I specialized in mental health and migration studies.

During the tenure of my career, I have experience working in various social work and mental health settings such as case management for older adults in the Department of Social Services, case management and supervision through contracted agencies of the Department of Children Family Services. I have also trained in health settings through Presence St Mary and Elizabeth Medical Center as a trainee in Behavioral Health Consultation. I have then transitioned to continuous individual, family, and couples psychotherapy in community settings. Most recently, for the last 5 years, I have founded Roamers Therapy, an outpatient behavioral health practice. At Roamers Therapy, I lead operations, external psycho-educational efforts, supervision, and clinical training. Separately, in my own solo practice, I continue to specialize and have special interest in working with trauma, identity, and relationships.

As a psychotherapist and clinical supervisor, I am highly experienced with strong instinctive, analytical, and clinical skills. I have experience in developing rapport, assessing, and implementing interventions that are evidence based, trauma-informed, and culturally sensitive/ intersectional. I have specialized advanced training in utilizing Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR Certified) and a Gottman Certified Therapist.

I find myself fascinated, passionate, and devoted to social work practice and mentoring future social workers. Social work practice is highly complex and we have a unique and holistic take in practice through our person-in the environment approach. With great honor and enthusiasm, I am excited to be aiding your learning and acquainting you with the field of social work as an Adjunct Faculty at Erikson. I look forward to modeling and assisting students take on social work practice through evidence-based, trauma-informed, culturally sensitive, and developmentally informed service delivery. I am committed to educating future social workers to think critically, react with integrity, and hold a trauma-informed lens to the individuals and communities you serve. My teaching philosophy is to engage students in a learner-centered teaching model. As an instructor, I engage students in learning through learning reflection, collaboration, and practice oriented approaches.