Today we’d like to introduce you to Sherry Paldino.
Hi Sherry, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
Hello!
I’m a licensed mental health professional based in Overland Park, dedicated to providing compassionate, high-quality care to children and teens in our community. I work with a wide range of concerns, including anxiety, depression, trauma, childhood abuse and neglect, OCD, ADHD, and family conflict, among others.
I hold a master’s degree in Counseling from MidAmerica Nazarene University and a bachelor’s degree in Child Development from Missouri State University. For the past 10 years, I’ve had the privilege of working with children and families in a variety of settings. My journey began in education, teaching and interning with Parents as Teachers, where I witnessed how many children struggled to learn because they were living in a constant state of survival. I found myself focusing more on helping them feel safe, supported, and cared for than on academics—and that’s when I realized my passion for helping children and teens extended beyond the classroom.
I later completed my clinical hours at Attachment and Trauma Therapy, where I provided therapy for children recovering from trauma, families welcoming newly adopted or fostered children, teens coping with depression and self-harm, and adults navigating abusive relationships while caring for their children. Each of these experiences deeply shaped who I am as a counselor and strengthened my commitment to this work.
It’s truly an honor to walk alongside individuals and families as they navigate life’s challenges, explore their emotions, and discover new ways of coping, healing, and growing. My goal is to create a space that feels safe, supportive, and empowering—where clients can show up exactly as they are and begin the journey toward lasting change.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Working in the mental health field has been incredibly rewarding, but it also comes with real challenges. As a licensed counselor, I’ve learned firsthand how important it is to recognize and manage compassion fatigue and burnout. Supporting people through their pain and struggles can be deeply meaningful, yet emotionally draining at times. Hearing clients’ stories of trauma and heartache has taught me how vital it is to have my own support system and to prioritize self-care—including seeking therapy myself when needed. I’ve also seen how societal stigma and misunderstanding, especially among teens, can make it difficult for them to reach out for help. These experiences continually remind me why this work matters and how much courage it takes—for clients and counselors alike—to show up and keep going.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
I opened my counseling practice in 2022 and have since had the privilege of serving more than 70 families and providing over 3,000 hours of direct therapy. I specialize in working with children as young as 4 and teens up to 18 however, I do see adults as well. When working with children and adolescents, I take a developmental approach to customize my therapeutic interventions to each child. I am certified in Trauma Focused-Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and pull from many theoretical lens to meet my clients where they are. My office is located in the Corporate Woods business complex and I offer a variety of after school hours or telehealth appointments to make scheduling as easy as possible.
At SP Counseling, I am committed to providing a warm, safe, and trusting environment that fosters growth and healing. I prioritize building respectful, collaborative, and authentic therapeutic relationships with each of my clients to support them in achieving their goals. Each person I’ve worked with has touched my life in meaningful ways, shaping me both personally and professionally. I feel truly grateful to do this work every day and to be trusted with such an important part of people’s lives.
Are there any important lessons you’ve learned that you can share with us?
Through my work in the mental health field, I have learned so much about people, compassion, and myself. One of the most important lessons has been to meet people where they are, to accept and support them without judgment, no matter what stage of their journey they’re in. I’ve also realized the importance of practicing my own self-care, recognizing that I can only help others effectively when I take care of my own mental and emotional well-being. Perhaps most importantly, I’ve learned that everyone is doing the best they can, even when it doesn’t always look perfect, and that’s okay. This work has taught me to lead with empathy, patience, and understanding in every interaction.
Pricing:
- $140 per 50 minute session
- Scholarships available
- HSA/FSA Accepted
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.sherrypaldinocounseling.com
- Instagram: @sp_counseling
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100083984151686
