Sheila Ciesil, MA, LCPC

Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor

Bachelor's in Psychology, University of Michigan

Master's in Counseling Psychology, Ball State University

Clinical Specialties or Interests

One of my specialties is anxiety disorders. I see a lot children and adults who struggle with anxiety. There is an overwhelming amount of anxiety in our world today, yet it can be very treatable and very manageable, so I find it exciting that I can give people tools and resources to manage anxiety.

Why or how did you get interested and involved with counseling?

For me it was my first psychology class in high school. I thought it was fascinating and it felt very meaningful. My other classes didn't resonate with me as much as psychology, which felt much more rich and purposeful. From then on, I've been really interested in it and have continued to pursue it. I also had a really great teacher, which helped. But from then to now, I'm still fascinated by human potential, which is what captivated me back then.

Why have you remained passionate about counseling? What motivates you to continue each day? What keeps pulling you into it?

The big thing is the clients. I meet so many wonderful people and I'm so honored to be a little part of their lives. The other thing is that I get to be reminded constantly of the tremendous capacity that we as human beings have for resilience, even when faced with some really difficult or challenging times. I find that very inspiring. That's what gets me up and going in the morning.

At the beginning of the audio clip on the left, hear Sheila talk about what keeps her motivated and passionate in her own voice.

How do you like to work with clients? How do you connect with them?

I like to view each person as an individual and tailor how I work with them accordingly. I like to meet them with a sense of curiosity, acceptance, and nonjudgment. Those are the 3 keys for me in my therapeutic relationships (and in any relationship) and I think the relationship that I form with my clients is the foundation for healing and personal development.

I really try to set that tone and create a space where they can feel seen, heard, and accepted. I think those parts are very important and for some people that hour with me is the only time that they get that feeling of being seen, heard, and accepted, so that's a priority. That's the foundation of the work that we do, and then together we figure out what that work is going to look like as I trust them to lead that process.

From there, I have a holistic approach. I incorporate mind, body, and spirit; I use cognitive behavioral therapy; and I love to use a lot of mindfulness techniques. Mindfulness is a really great opportunity to help cultivate and increase self-awareness and inner wisdom, which are both very powerful and much needed in a world where there's so much chaos.

Do you have a favorite wellness strategy that you use with clients?

It is mindfulness, but I have little snippets and tools that I give to people so they can weave them into their lives throughout the day. One of them is an acronym (and I use acronyms all the time) called SLOW. It means Soften your face, Lower your shoulders, Open your heart center, and Wilt your fingers. It's a quick check-in to see what's going on with our bodies, because the body is always communicating with us. SLOW is super easy and you can do it anywhere--at a stoplight, in an elevator, etc.

At 0:18 of the audio clip on the left, listen to Sheila walk you through the GLAD acronym and learn how it can enhance your overall wellbeing and happiness.

Another acronym, particularly for practicing gratitude, that I like to share with my clients is GLAD. At the end of the day, I ask clients to focus on what went well that day, maybe 3 specific things, because our tendency is to focus on everything that we feel we fell short on. But if we can bring a sense of gratitude to our day, then it can really enhance our sense of wellbeing and happiness.

GLAD means: calling to mind something that you are Grateful for, something that made you Laugh, something that you Accomplished, and something that Delighted you. And its even better if you can take the time to write it down each day. I have more acronyms and I love them so much because they're really accessible and easy. Anything to increase the capacity for inner awareness is helpful, especially in today's world when we're surrounded by so much noise.

In the context of counseling and your role, can you share any challenges that you've faced along the way and how you've managed them?

For me, a challenge is to prioritize and create space for my own wellness so that when I'm with my clients I can be there 100 percent. Sometimes that means turning off my phone and just taking care of myself. I really believe in the philosophy that you can't pour from an empty cup so I try hard to set that boundary. That's the biggest challenge because initially when I got into counseling, I was bringing work with me everywhere, all the time, which can be overwhelming and draining. So that has been a challenge and it continues to be a challenge for me and many other therapists, because of the nature of what we do. I want to bring my best self into the work.

What do you love about being a part of the YFC team? How would you describe YFC in a few words?

I love the YFC culture, first and foremost. That's what attracted me to YFC. We really do value high quality, excellent care and we're committed to professional development and support. That's what I really love as a professional. I would say a commitment to quality and to making mental healthcare accessible to everyone are the two biggest things that I think of when I think "YFC."

What is your happy place?

My happy place is in the woods walking with my dogs. There are a lot of great local parks and nature preserves that I like to explore.

What's one thing people might be surprised to find out about you?

I'm a huge Bruce Springsteen fan! I've seen him many times in concert.

What's the last song that you listened to?

Hmm, I've listened to the song "Sunday Best" by Surfaces a lot lately. But also my favorite Springsteen song would be "Thunder Road."

What's your favorite must-see movie?

I love musicals, so I'd say La La Land, Hamilton, and Mamma Mia!